Signalis and Toxic Codependence
I think an overlooked part of Signalis is how, in part, Elster and Ariane are incredibly codependent, to an unhealthy extent. To be clear, this was practically unavoidable. They were put into a spaceship with only one other person, and then told not to get attached to that person. There's no way they weren't going to be codependent to some degree.
However, I think it goes farther than that, and their relationship leans towards being toxic. Part of this naturally stems from the subordinate-supervisor power dynamic, however this isn't some be all end all.
Instead, I think this comes in the way that Elster becomes overly dependent on Ariane for basically any real emotional catharsis. She lives and breathes Ariane. So by the end, when Ariane makes Elster promise to eventually kill her, Elster is just completely unable to do it. She shuts down, deciding to die alone as opposed to being with her partner in her final moments.
This shows in the ending where Ariane remembers Elster. She's almost cold to Elster, not even truly acknowledging her beyond the promise they made. Only when Elster shows she's going to actually kill Ariane this time, does Ariane offer her any warmth. It's utterly horrific, and one of the reasons that the ending is so deeply affecting.
This isn't to say the game is problematic or some shit, by the way. This goes beyond subtext, and is in part, why the game is so beautiful and tragic. No promise, no game. No codependence, no game. It was a terrible, but necessary part of their relationship.
I don't feel like enough people acknowledge this, instead boiling Elster and Ariane down to, "Oh I remember :o waif :3"
Like no, Elster is in part, a victim of an unintentional abuse. Operative word: unintentional. Ariane isn't purposely abusive. She's an incredibly hurt and damaged person who essentially signed up for the Penrose mission to die. Elster and Ariane are beautiful, but they're also horrifying and tragic. It's a major part of the dynamic, and the story as a whole, and the game as a whole would be lesser without the "uglier" parts of the relationship.
