Canadian Delicacy - The Kaidan Alenko Thread

LOL @ the christmas tree topper!

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.

About Liarra you can tell her you are interested in Kaidan and not her (only friendship). If you say that then you don't have the awkward conversation between you Liara and Kaidan but yeah it is weird that you can't just be kind with her without puling you in a uncomfortable corner even if you show interest in Kaidan beforehand.

I have gave you a tip to avoid the situation but for the rest I agree with you (perhaps not with the "blue bitch" because I don't hate Liara) but for rest, yeah I am on the same line.

And then has the audacity to accuse them of being short sighted essentially because they didn't assume that Shepard was resurrected, as if it wasn't the first proven case in recorded history.

I KNOW! She was out of her mind in ME2!  So much could have been avoided if she had JUST. LET. SOMEONE. KNOW! lol

Kaidan Fan