Jacob Frye: The Overlooked "Modern Assassin"
Jacob Frye is among the AC community's most misunderstood and misrepresented Assassins. For years, I struggled to pinpoint exactly why—but after revisiting Syndicate, I now see that there’s far more to him than meets the eye. Beneath his roguish bravado lies a more complex character who struggles with identity, validation, and defiance against expectation.
A Different Kind of Assassin
Jacob Frye is an Assassin unlike many before him—not because of his combat prowess or role in the Assassin-Templar conflict, but because his struggle is just as internal as it is external. While he fights to liberate London from Templar control, his deeper battle is one of self-definition, identity, and rebellion against the expectations imposed on him. Unlike his sister Evie, who is unwavering in her belief in the Creed, Jacob constantly questions what it truly means to be an Assassin. He is impulsive, reckless, and headstrong—not because he is indifferent to responsibility but because he is desperate to carve out his own path.
Somewhere that's Green (transcript)
Jacob: I've always thought of myself as a gang leader. Firm, but fair. We'll have uniforms. And I'll unite a mix of disenfranchised outsiders under one name. That's it, Evie! We can rally them to our side.
Evie: Oh, like the way that you rallied those card players at the Oakbrook Tavern into the river?
Jacob: That was different; they beat me at whist. I can see it now! We'll call ourselves the Rooks.
His defiance isn’t mere arrogance; it is the product of a lifetime spent under the shadow of an overbearing father, a rigid Creed, and a sister who constantly reminds him of both. He values free will, yet is rarely afforded it. He craves respect, yet is treated as a disappointment. He seeks validation, yet often finds it in the wrong places. This is why his relationships—especially with Maxwell Roth and Pearl Attaway—are so pivotal in understanding his complexities. They are not just allies or enemies; they are reflections of his deepest desires, fears, and unresolved insecurities.
Jacob Frye is more than just a roguish Assassin who loves chaos— he is a meaningful exploration of one's identity.
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The Influences of Maxwell Roth and Pearl Attaway
Two of the most significant figures in Jacob’s story are Maxwell Roth and Pearl Attaway. While Roth is an externalization of Jacob’s desire for absolute freedom, Pearl plays a more subtle but equally crucial role in shaping his emotional landscape.
Maxwell Roth: A Dark Reflection
Roth embodies everything Jacob craves—independence, irreverence, and a rejection of imposed duties. Unlike Evie or their late father, Roth never belittles Jacob or forces expectations upon him. Instead, he treats Jacob as an equal, offering validation for which Jacob has long yearned.
However, Roth also represents the dangerous extremes of unchecked rebellion. Through their relationship, Jacob is forced to confront the consequences of his impulsive decisions. His eventual fallout with Roth isn’t just about moral opposition—it’s a moment of self-realization where Jacob understands that his actions carry weight, pushing him toward a more balanced philosophy.
Pearl Attaway: A Subconscious Mother Figure
Jacob’s relationship with Pearl Attaway is particularly fascinating when examined through the lens of his unresolved parental issues. Having lost his mother at birth and living under the shadow of a demanding father, Jacob subconsciously seeks validation from maternal figures. Pearl provides this—she encourages his methods, praises his ambition, and, crucially, doesn’t chastise him the way Evie or their father would have.
This is why her betrayal hits Jacob harder than expected. Her approval fed into his desire for acceptance, and when she turns out to be a Templar, it shatters a deep-seated longing for an approving mother figure. In this moment, Jacob is confronted with yet another harsh reality—his trust in others can be misplaced, and the need for validation can cloud judgment. This adds an extra layer to his reckless behavior, revealing that much of his defiance stems not just from arrogance but from deep-seated insecurity and a desperate need to prove his worth—not only to Evie or the Brotherhood but to the ghost of his father and the idea of the mother he never knew.
Ultimately, Roth and Pearl reflect Jacob’s internal battle with the Creed’s tenets. Roth tempts him with the illusion of complete autonomy, forcing Jacob to confront the fine line between freedom and chaos. Pearl, in contrast, challenges his ability to discern trust from personal longing, showing how emotional needs can cloud judgment. Both figures push Jacob toward a deeper understanding of responsibility, proving that rebellion requires more than just defiance—wisdom in choosing what to defy.
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The "Modern Assassin" in Action
Jacob was marketed as a "Modern Assassin," and he fits that description perfectly in many ways. Unlike traditional Assassins who rigidly adhere to the Order’s customs, Jacob improvises, adapts, and questions tradition. He may not hold sacred the Assassin rituals, but he fully embodies their core tenets—freedom, free will, and rebellion.
This theme is present in every aspect of his character:
He rebels against the Templars.
He rebels against society’s constraints.
He rebels against the rigid traditions of the Assassins.
He even rebels against his own family’s expectations.
And most importantly—he enjoys it. Unlike many other Assassins burdened by their duty, Jacob approaches his mission with fun, adding to his distinctiveness within the franchise.
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A Defense Mechanism in Humor
One often-overlooked aspect of Jacob’s character is his humor—not just as a personality trait but as a shield. His wit and sarcasm are likely coping mechanisms, deflecting deeper feelings of turmoil, pain, and jealousy.
This is highlighted during a few moments in the story:
1) Sequence 5 - The Perils of Business (Jacob’s Mockery of Henry)
Jacob frequently mocks Henry Green, calling him "greenie" in a passive-aggressive manner. While it seems playful, his disdain runs deeper. To Jacob, Henry represents someone taking Evie’s attention away from him.
A Room with a View (transcript)
Jacob: Well, since Henry isn't here, I thought you might enjoy the company.
Evie: I don't require any company. And Mr. Green is following up on some leads of his own.
Jacob: "Oh, yes, Mr. Green. That's a fascinating idea". "Oh, please, Mr. Green, come and take a look at this book and stand oh-so-close to me, Mr. Green.
Despite their constant bickering, Evie is the last close family he has. They grew up and trained together—it’s only natural that Jacob would harbor resentment toward someone who disrupts that bond. His mockery isn’t just teasing; it’s a way of masking his deeper feelings of loneliness and abandonment.
2) Sequence 9 – Shall We Dance?
After his final confrontation with Roth, Jacob is visibly shaken. He ditches his usual top hat, slouches in despair, and covers his face—a clear sign of emotional distress. This is a turning point for him; he’s just experienced a life-altering realization about his ideals. Yet, Evie, frustrated with him, fails to notice or acknowledge his pain. Instead, she berates him as usual.
Double Trouble (transcript)
Evie: You're late. Starrick is making his move. The Piece of Eden is somewhere inside Buckingham Palace.
Jacob: Let him have it.
Evie: I've seen your handiwork across the city. Perhaps you should trust my judgement.
Jacob: I've been killing Starrick's henchmen. What have you been doing? Let's ask Henry, shall we?
Evie: I have been repairing your mistakes. "Too much haste is too little speed."
Jacob: Don't you quote Father at me.
Evie: That's Plato! And I am sorry this doesn't involve anything you can destroy. Father was right, he never approved of your methods!
Jacob: Father is dead!
Jacob’s response? A sarcastic jab: "Let’s ask Henry, shall we?" His tone carries subtle anger and frustration, hinting that he feels unseen and unappreciated. His next outburst—"FATHER IS DEAD!"—isn’t just directed at Evie. It’s a declaration for himself, a rejection of the past, and a desperate assertion that they are not bound to their father’s legacy.
An Underrated Exploration of Identity
Jacob Frye is often dismissed as a generic rogue-like character, but his journey is one of self-discovery, identity, and rebellion against expectation. His story isn’t about toppling empires or leading revolutions—it’s about figuring out who he is and where he belongs in a world that seems determined to define him.
Ultimately, Syndicate isn’t just about the fight against the Templars. It’s also about the internal struggles of an individual trying to carve his own path. And that makes Jacob one of the franchise's more compelling and unique Assassins.
