Geoff B's Place

So I finally finished it.  After a week of avoiding spoilers, yelling at people who had already finished it in 2-3 days since release (seriously?  What did you play it for 48 hours straight?) I have seen the ending to the story.  Actually I saw all three endings to the story.

And contrary to what seems to be the popular consensus I actually enjoyed it.  And I’ll tell you why.

First of all, there was no way, even with all the galaxy against them, the Reapers were going to be defeated.  Everyone in-game acknowledges this, which is why the Crucible project becomes a main plot point.  In effect it becomes a deus ex machina. A single device that everyone is pinning their hopes on with no evidence that it would work or even any idea as to what it actually does. So why shouldn’t it do something completely unexpected, that no-one saw coming?

Next is the idea that something bigger than the Reapers was behind the whole thing.  As far back as the first game, Sovereign tells Shepard that the Reapers had no beginning and no end.  However this is clearly false as they are synthetic life and all synthetic life must have an organic creator.  Machines must be built.  So now we have the concept of a master race that saw a problem with the universe and put a plan in motion to solve it.  This is also mentioned in the game by the Vendetta AI on Thessia, along with the revelation that the Protheans did not invent the Crucible, instead they simply built on what other races before them had accompished.

And the Crucible itself?  Is it just coincidence that the Crucible, together with the Citadel and the Mass Relay network, would give the races of the universe the ability to wipe out, control or merge with synthetic life?  The Catalyst AI (who just by his existence raises more questions than it answers, the chiefest being who made him?) says that the cycle must continue, implying that there was no other option.  If that is the case then why does the Crucible exist at all?  To my mind the answer is the race that created the Citadel, Reapers, Mass Relays et al also created a failsafe in the Crucible, so that the cycle would continue until such time that the races of the galaxy were actually able to complete the device, signalling their readiness for final ascension.  What else could the intended outcome be other than the synthesis of organic life with AI?  This is, to me, best demonstrated by the final scene of the synthesis ending.  Joker and EDI, together, each with organic/artificial bodies, with their arms around each other and watching the sun rise.

As for Shepard?  Again as far as I can see there was no way out for her (for Shepard is a she!) except her own death.  This is strongly foreshadowed throughout the games and especially in the third game where she says things like “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” and her final conversation with Garrus (if he is romanced. I can’t speak to any other romances at present).  She has dedicated her life to fighting the Reapers.  It seems only appropriate and even right that she sacrifice her life to end the cycle.

Shepard herself raises questions.  Why is she the only one who could withstand the Prothean beacon’s visions?  Why was she chosen to be given the Cipher?  There were other squad members there, any one of them could have taken the responsibility.  Why, out of all the billions of individuals in the galaxy, is she the one who is able to perform impossible feats and inspire others to do the same?  Curing the genophage, uniting the Turians and Krogans, even bringing about peace between the Quarians and Geth?  There must be something bigger at work here.  Also one element that I would have liked to have seen answered is the star the Illusive Man watches in 2.  We learn in 3 that it is the Anadius star.  However if it is just a star why does it change colour according to Shepard’s alignment?  In the Paragon ending of 2 the star is fully blue, while in the Renegade ending it is red.  I suspect this question will never be answered.

Whatever the answer is, Shepard is chosen to determine the fate, not just of the galaxy, but of all forms of life itself, organic and synthetic.  For me the true ending is synthesis.  Shepard chooses to allow life to determine it’s own destiny, free from control or fear of destruction by higher forces.  And life does go on as seen in the post-credit epilogue where Shepard and her deeds have become legends.  And that is to me the true meaning of Mass Effect.  No matter what life throws at you, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in, as long as you are willing to believe in yourself and act according to those beliefs without compromising who you are, you will always prevail against anything that comes your way.

Now I need to go back and find out how to do that last reputation check.