Canadian Delicacy - The Kaidan Alenko Thread

A ton of the people that dislike Kaidan have cited the Horizon scene as the reason for their contempt. I don't really get it. I think the version of the Horizon conversation I see in my playthroughs is a lot more calm because Kaidan and Shepard aren't in a relationship yet. My understanding is it gets more intense if you romanced Kaidan in ME1. Maybe it's because I get the calm version that I find it so easy to forgive Kaidan. He's being pretty reasonable.

In the romanced version, even if it comes to a heated argument, I think I'd still find it easy to forgive Kaidan because he has every reason not to trust Cerberus. Too many Mass Effect players have severe cases of fourth wall myopia. They think characters in game should just do what Shepard says because they're motherf*cking Shepard! I see this all the time. "Garrus is a bro because he never questions Shepard," and Kaidan/Ashley are disloyal because they don't immediately acknowledge Shepard's authenticity despite having every reason in the world not to (honestly, aside from Liara, everyone from the Normandy SR-1 should have been suspicious of Shepard). Combine that mindset with the "if you really loved me you'd drop everything to be with me" mentality and it makes it so much worse. The thing is: relationships are two way streets. It's not like Shepard drops everything to be with him, either. Players really need to try and see things from the perspective of each character. If you romanced Kaidan in ME1, this is especially so. You owe it to him to understand his point of view. That's how healthy relationships work in real life.

The writers shouldn't have had Kaidan tell Shepard he forgives him/her for "cheating" on him, but I can see why he would see it that way. He wasn't sure Shepard was the real deal, a Cerberus clone, or had a brain chip installed (all things Cerberus, who he knows is evil, is 100% capable of). He just needed time. It wasn't a break so much as it was him being cautious. If Cerberus wanted to manipulate Kaidan, Shepard is his obvious weakness. He doesn't want to be a pawn in their plot. He needs to be certain he isn't falling for a trap. If Shepard proved to be real, he'd be completely on board to continue the relationship. A Shepard who loved Kaidan should have understood that and been patient. I get why some players thought it was a breakup, I'm just saying that, to him, it wasn't.

If they ever remaster the series, I hope they would add more clarity to the romanced Horizon scene. Give Shepard the option for a clean breakup, but also make it clear that if you don't take the breakup option that hooking up with someone else would be cheating.

As for the letter, I'm glad I never see it in my playthroughs, but it's also pretty much nothing. Kaidan went out for drinks with someone when he thought Shepard was dead, but it didn't go anywhere because Kaidan hasn't moved on from loving Shepard. I don't see how anyone could be upset with Kaidan for that.

Lastly, I also want to say that I see some people romance Kaidan in ME1 even though he isn't their intended ME2/ME3 romance, and I think that's just unfair to him. Like aoibhealfae says, Kaidan is looking for commitment. If you aren't intending to stick with him for the long haul, just leave the poor guy alone. It's better for everyone.

Caption underneath says "...called it"

Kaidan looks like he was taken off-guard.

So, now that tumblr is gone, I wonder where I"m going to find regular mshenko content :s I joined twitter but so far, seems like there's no mshenko blogger like on tumblr T.T

Cannot thank rondeeno enough for this!

There are other sites that allow entire Tumblr blogs to be imported. I'd think those would be better options. You think this would be flagged?

I know I've been gone forever, but I've just been busy with AC games and my daughters senior year of high school/college apps+audtions and the like. I still love Kaidan and I try to peek in every now and then. I hope you're all doing well and for those of you who celebrate I hope your holidays are happy and healthy. And if you don't I still hope you're happy and healthy. Peace and love to you all

I don't have any artworks, I quit tumblr years ago and never made a deviantart thingie. So....screenshots forever! lol Hopefully this works:



Shepard + Kaidan always

I did the same. The point of the mod concerning Kaidan was that under normal circumstances using gender swap, Kaidan and Shep would forget they were in a romance. No, even later, after Kaidan rejoins the Normandy when Shep stares at his ass. For date night, the two have no idea they were already together and act like it's the first time it ever crossed their minds.

The mod only seems to acknowledge an entire trilogy run in order for it to happen, or so I assume. I'll have to slog my way through ME2 to find out.

Shep is a KISA.  Of course he's going to be carrying his love to the safety of the bedroom.