rosenkovmaterials:

shrexorcist:

I’m actually curious as to why people choose Ashley or Kaiden as their favorite Mass Effect character(s)?? There are so many diverse characters and they just seem boring to me, idk

the fact that you found them boring just tells me you probably weren’t paying attention. just because they’re the human characters in a universe full of diverse cool aliens doesn’t mean they don’t have just as much to offer.

ashley is strong and determined and she doesn’t let anybody try to tell her who she is. she’s also a wonderfully flawed character and she has prejudices she gets over in the course of the narrative and massive chip on her shoulder that she works through and her character growth is amazing to watch. she’s one of the most realistic characters in the whole series. she’s also funny and sassy and has a soft spot for poetry and her family and her romance is the the actual cutest thing ever.

kaidan is an amazingly nuanced character. he’s more reserved and you have to read between the lines more with his dialogue, but when you take the time you’ll find he’s intelligent and principled and caring and kind and so many other lovely things. he’s the guy that takes a stand for what he thinks is right. he’s also stubborn and self-righteous at times but once you’ve earned his trust, he’s is the most supportive ally you could ask for. his romance ain’t too shabby either, especially in ME1.

they’re both awesomely useful squaddies and my favorite thing about both of their places in the story is that they play a big role in shaping your shepard. ashley and kaidan both can be said to be represent either end of the renegade-paragon spectrum, respectively. their conversations in ME1 help give you an idea of what politics and culture would be like for humans in the mass effect universe.

their reactions on horizon to shepard’s death and subsequent resurrection is probably the most realistic. the fact that they don’t immediately run back to join up with shepard and instead question them and remain wary keeps shepard conscious of the choices they make. kaidan and ash both stick to their guns and don’t let their feelings or past relationship with shepard sway their morals. however, they’re both willing to work things out with shepard and repair that relationship. they both eventually come to understand the choices shepard made and stand by them to the end.

at the end of the day, kaidan and ashley were there from the beginning and they go through so much with shepard. their characters and their relationship with shepard (romantic or platonic) throughout the series will never not be my favorite.