I love how bisexual Killjoys is from the very beginning. Dutch totally hate flirts with Delle Seyah Kendry. Johnny is just constantly flirting with guys. D'av is maybe the straightest character, but there's the weird flirting with Johnny when Johnny's Hullen or memory wiped. Zeph.
Batarians: Wait, Commander Shepard just killed 350.000 of us trying to stop that thing you say doesn't exist, aren't you going to do something about it?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I just bitched about the lazy writing and world-building in Mass Effect, but I wouldn't love these games if they didn't have moments where everything was on point (or close to it): the writing, the animation, the voice acting, everything.
Here's one of my favorite scenes, it's very short and I bet you've never thought about it before, but it's so, so good, I'm obsessed with it and I have to scream.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the only time that Shepard really freaks out is after the Mars mission. It happens right on screen, we don't hear it from someone else, we don't have to headcanon it, we get to see Shepard not as a protagonist, not as a savior of the galaxy, not as a soldier, but as an actual human being, simply scared shitless.
I also love that it starts with Liara immediately realizing what's going on. You can see that she freaks out too, because Shepard is freaking out, and the camera lingers on her reaction as it shifts from fear to sadness to understanding. And then we finally get to see the condition of our favorite Virmire survivor, and it's just oof.
When we go back to Liara, she already knows what to do.
And then we finally get to see Shepard. All these erratic movements are completely out of character. Throughout the three games, we only see Shepard move with some sort of intention (yes, because it's a game, and it's supposed to be that way, but think beyond that; it's also Shepard's characteristic as a person), and there's no intention in this. Shepard is holding on to the examination table, trying to lean down or move forward, and that's because now, in this situation, he can do nothing. No amount of self-sacrifice, quick thinking, tactical advantage, or stupid badassery will help. There's someone on that table he clearly cares about, and he has no say in the matter.
And Liara knows it. She leans forward to look Shepard in the eye and draw his attention to herself.
She starts soft and pleading:
And dude, Shepard's expression is everything. It's sad and scared and open... again, completely out of character.
And then we can watch Liara's expression change when she sees that Shepard heard her. Her tone is no longer soft, it becomes quite aggressive.
It is all very deliberate. And it works! Shepard is still terrified, but he furrows his eyebrows and his expression closes. Now he looks more like the Shepard we all know and love.
Another change of tactics, and oh my god. Say what you will about my girl Liara, she is a real MVP here. Notice how she goes soft again and just gives Shepard a suggestion. She knows the best way to snap him out of his panic and sense of sheer helplessness is to push him to start giving orders again.
And again, it works! This sounds and looks like our usual Shepard.
Oh, I love these animations. The change from something hard-assed and in control to something vulnerable... Whoever animated this, let me kiss you on the mouth, let's ride into the sunset. You're beautiful and I love you.
Yapping about the collectors attacking The Normandy
(Note: I'm playing the ME trilogy for the very first time) The scene in ME2 where the collectors attack the Normandy and you have to avoid them as Joker was absolute cinema. Up until this point in the game, I've had no true fear of the collectors because I always encountered them while I was armed to the teeth. Then suddenly I'm forced into the shoes of Joker, a completely unarmed man in a space ship in the middle of nowhere. Seeing the first collector exit the elevator was like seeing a stranger with a knife walk into your house. Then I hear the crew members scream as they're being attacked.
I felt safe for a second when I got into the research lab, then I saw the flying collector outside the window. It scared the hell outta me because I forgot there was a window there and thought I was trapped in a room with a collector. Then Joker gets to the crew's quarters. Names of crew members flash across the screen as they're attacked by more collectors. I watch in horror as a screaming woman is dragged by her hair into an elevator where one of those gross pods waits for her.
When Joker makes it to the lowest level of the ship, I remembered what Jack said. She said she prefers to sleep down there because it's "dark and hard to find." Good thinking Jack. I just want to hide out here myself, but I have to get Joker to the next room. Joker goes up the stairs and I watch as two collectors carry a pod with a beloved crew member in it. Again, I get this horrible feeling from it as if I just saw a stranger walk through my hallway at night.
I seemed to have forgotten how scary the collectors were and how high the stakes were in this game. So, the game gave me a brutal wake up call with this scene and I personally think it was brilliant.
As many years as I have played Mass Effect I have NEVER gotten this scene prior to last night.
Joker standing to salute Jane for telling Kaidan (in my playthrough) to kick rocks? When I say I was dumbfounded and then squealed like a little girl... I had to save, quit the game, and process the scene. It really hit me hard and brought tears to my eyes.
Shepard is even taken aback. She looks down, embarrassed and I would venture emotionally overwhelmed in that moment.
This man wants to see his Commander, his friend, his sister, stand up for herself and firmly establish her boundaries. And if they don't like it, fuck 'em.
He's proud of her.
Joker. I love you man. You are truly a dear friend, but more than that you are family.
Thank you.
GIF Set :
Screenshots :
I just... damn I cannot articulate how good it felt to hear someone say that after all the shit she is constantly sacrificing and going through.
The mocking, the distrust, the disbelief... losing people, making hellacious decisions...
"Somebody giving you the respect you deserve, Commander."
I always knew that Johnny was leaving. “Leaving” is a really loaded word, and I wish I had a more nuanced one because Johnny’s coming back. There’s no doubt in my mind that Johnny’s coming back.
I really like the idea that when John comes back, they are all going to sit in the new bar, and have the same drinks, but Johnny is going to be telling these amazing stories, and they’ll have a few of their own about what crazy shit he’s missed, and they’ll all be newly charmed with one another. What he gets up to over that year is unwritten. Maybe he brings back Clara and the Hackmods and convinces Aneela to make the Quad a safe zone for them and their rebellion. Maybe he comes back and starts something up with the Warden, professionally and personally. Hell, maybe D’avin and Dutch break up and John returns to sweep her off her feet Officer & A Gentleman style, for those who are determined to see that ending. Anything fans want to picture or put into fan fiction, they’re certainly entitled to do. Here’s the only thing I’d say is canon: Johnny Jaqobis is safe and he is happy and he is coming the fuck home.
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