Mass Effect 2 - Asari Rides the Carousel

[goldenfetus]

I was playing Mass Effect 2 a few days ago, and experienced a conversation on Ilium that immediately made me think of this place, and all the red pill stories. First, some background. You walk into this area and see a Krogan poorly reciting bad poetry to a disinterested Asari, clearly trying to win her favor. Krogans are an ultra-hardy, regenerating warrior race with a ridiculously high birthrate. In a previous war other races infected them with the genophage virus to curb their birth rate, such that now only one in hundreds or thousands of their women can produce offspring. The behavior of this Krogan stands in stark contrast to their typically-harsh personalities. Asari are an all-female race of long-lived humanoids who are capable of reproducing with almost any species - using their partner's genetic code to randomize aspects of their own in order to produce an Asari daughter. Talking to the Asari, you find out that the Krogan is her boyfriend. Here's part of the exchange:

Asari: He's a fun guy. Really smart, especially for a Krogan. And he's got a good job as a transport technician. It's fun to join a mercenary guild or dance at bars for a few centuries, but eventually you hit the matron stage, you know?

Then you get your back tattoo removed, let your scalp go back to its natural blue, and settle down with someone dependable.

ME: You need to make a decision.

Asari: I know. But it's tough! I like him a lot. Hell, I love him! But I don't know if he's permanent-bond-material.

I couldn't tell if this was Bioware poking fun at the typical female American's attitude, or if they were presenting the relationship as normal and healthy, but in context I suspect the latter. Either way, it mirrors the story I think we're all familiar with. Tramp-stamped fatherless daughter spends her maiden years chasing bad boys and stripping, and then starts looks for a reliable provider - prioritizing his job - when baby rabies kicks in. Swooning beta takes the bait and gets sucked into her trap.

[TwisterVictor1]

It makes sense now. I've played Mass Effect 2 several times and thought it was just a quick way to get some experience points. I gotta start paying closer attention to the hidden messages.

[Ameiko]

I remember that scene! The first time around, I went Paragon route and got them together. I hope I get to see in ME3 if it worked out. Hey, I like to have hope that love can blossom, despite my red pills.

Man, ME3 can't get here fast enough! About 2 weeks! Time to kick some Reaper ass and score some Asari tail!

[Calloway]

You could even think of this as yet another way that this relationship dynamic is trying to be legitimized and normalized. Especially if one of the goals in the game is to "fix" this relationship and get the two parties together. I'm assuming that the final outcome of the relationship (separation years down the road?) or the healthiness of the relationship for both parties is never questioned. Correct me if I'm wrong, as I've never played the game.

I can't count the number of movies I've seen (usually romantic comedies) where FROM THE BEGINNING, I'm just thinking "These two should NOT be involved with each other". However, the audience is never directed towards that line of reasoning.

Over and over again, we are shown unhealthy and damaging relationships as being "normal".

Rarely are we shown a man walking away from a relationship, unless it's to get into yet another relationship.

Or, we're shown the man's single status as being his obstacle to overcome by the end of the movie (40-year-old virgin, etc.).

I can't help but to think by putting this sub-plot into a video game, they are targeting exactly the audience who would be most at risk from this suggestion - the teen and young-adult male. The message is that the relationship is something to "win", something to "accomplish" through hard work.

However, there is nothing to win. You gain the affection of a fickle person today, just to lose it tomorrow. And when she leaves, she can take several of your possessions (depending on the length and depth of the relationship) and possibly hurt you in the process (depending on her vindictiveness and her willingness to involve the government and police). How is that winning?

[I Live for me not "WE"]

Same area..You lot forgot about the turian and quarian conversation in the bar where you meet mirandas contact and him getting friendzoned.


Mass Effect 2: Quarian and Turian Complaining About Relationships With Humans - YouTube

[Legacy]

Same area..You lot forgot about the turian and quarian conversation in the bar where you meet mirandas contact and him getting friendzoned.


Mass Effect 2: Quarian and Turian Complaining About Relationships With Humans - YouTube

The Turian here is the nice guy, listening to her talk about the A-hole she's dating.

Also, just finished Mass Effect 3. The ending...phewww.

[Jso]

there's actually a pair of sluts in mass effect 3 that fit the description of carousel riders, specifically the cheating wife of a dear john with a stuck up asari mistress convincing her that she isn't haaaappy unless she leaves him

[Ameiko]

Remember the Krogan and Asari that we helped get together? Well he shows up in a mission... well his corpse does. Seems he somehow went from just a tech to one of the Korgan's strongest warriors and joined an elite team. You deliver his final words to his widow.

I wonder if he would have been there if you had not gotten them together.

And the ending... wow Bioware REALLY screwed up on that.

Good comment on the cheating wife and her asari mistress while hubby is away at war.

[tahoira]

And the ending... wow Bioware REALLY screwed up on that.

are you talking about ME3? a lot of people complained about the ending. the response were so overwhelmingly bad that even Biowares boss made a public letter addressing the disappointment. im finishing up the game myself and i dont know how the ending is, but i am prepared for a bad experience. its a pity though, because so far, the game itself has been amazing.