To a certain extent as long as our goals align. In my canon runthrough I destroyed the base, but I'd like to think that I pilfered as much tech as possible. Assuming that the plot of ME3 is to save Earth, we need each other and I see him as a cautious ally that I have to keep a continuous eye on. Oh, he's definitely planning something.
No. I don't trust him. I was wary of him through ME2 and after reading Mass Effect Ascension (I read this after playing ME2).
And then I read Mass Effect Retribution and decided that whatever moment I was waiting for where his larger plan was revealed or that he had a sliver of a heart was gone. He was a little terrifying and it was apparent to me that Shepard was no more than a tool to him.
[Cerberus had salvaged key pieces of technology from the remains of the Collector operation. They were already beginning to set up a facility to undertake the first carefully controlled tests of the strange alien technology. Ultimately, however, there was only one way to gain the knowledge they sought: they would have to resume the Collector experiments on real human subjects. The Illusive Man knew full well the abhorrence of his plan. But ethics and morality had to be cast aside for the survival of the species. Instead of millions being abducted, a few carefully chosen subjects would be chosen. A handful of victims had to suffer to protect and preserve the entire human race.]
New comment addendum because I am too lazy to close my tags on the big 'NO.'
I really can't justify outright trusting or supporting The Illusive Man, even without knowing what a disastrously evil douchebag he is in ME: Retribution. I could come up with reasons for this all night, but I'm just going to focus on one thing: Horizon.
First and most obvious is the fact that he's willing to sacrifice an entire human colony. But think about how that trap had to be laid. TIM knew that the Collectors were out for Shepard, information that he (and Miranda) witholds. So what he does is leak rumors to the Alliance that Shep's alive and working for Cerberus. This does two things: it nudges the Alliance into sending Kaiden or Ashley to Horizon and it effectively alienates Shepard from the Alliance and his/her old allies. If s/he was chummy with the Council, they now believe that Shep is a traitor or at best mentally unhinged. This forces Shepard into a tighter alliance with Cerberus. It's a masterfully manipulative move, and while I
( ... )
And yeah, sans spoilers, Horizon is a doozie. Oh, so you're just going to use Shepard's COLLEAGUE/BFFL/ROMANTIC PARTNER as BAIT?
By using SHEPARD himself/herself as BAIT?
DUDE, WHAT THE HELL.
But really, when you consider the rest of the colony, and the events of Retribution, this stuff seems like nothing. He's a character I love to hate - but only after I think about how ridiculously manipulative he actually is.
THE SPOILERS GET WORSE I won't quote the whole book but I will sum up: [TIM forcibly indoctrinates a former Cerberus operative as a way of revenge, then the guy escapes and starts becoming Saren 2.0, then busts his way into Grissom Academy and uploads tons of data on the Ascension project to the Reapers]
I'm sure that TIM is planning something. I sort of get the feeling that it aligns with my renegade Shep who killed off the Council and put Udina in charge, but that it's the polar opposite of what my do-gooder paragon wants. So one trusts him, the other fears him. It makes...sense, I guess?
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And then I read Mass Effect Retribution and decided that whatever moment I was waiting for where his larger plan was revealed or that he had a sliver of a heart was gone. He was a little terrifying and it was apparent to me that Shepard was no more than a tool to him.
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[Cerberus had salvaged key pieces of technology from the remains of the Collector operation. They
were already beginning to set up a facility to undertake the first carefully controlled tests of the strange
alien technology. Ultimately, however, there was only one way to gain the knowledge they sought: they
would have to resume the Collector experiments on real human subjects.
The Illusive Man knew full well the abhorrence of his plan. But ethics and morality had to be cast aside
for the survival of the species. Instead of millions being abducted, a few carefully chosen subjects would
be chosen. A handful of victims had to suffer to protect and preserve the entire human race.]
In other words,
NO
Reply
I really can't justify outright trusting or supporting The Illusive Man, even without knowing what a disastrously evil douchebag he is in ME: Retribution. I could come up with reasons for this all night, but I'm just going to focus on one thing: Horizon.
First and most obvious is the fact that he's willing to sacrifice an entire human colony. But think about how that trap had to be laid. TIM knew that the Collectors were out for Shepard, information that he (and Miranda) witholds. So what he does is leak rumors to the Alliance that Shep's alive and working for Cerberus. This does two things: it nudges the Alliance into sending Kaiden or Ashley to Horizon and it effectively alienates Shepard from the Alliance and his/her old allies. If s/he was chummy with the Council, they now believe that Shep is a traitor or at best mentally unhinged. This forces Shepard into a tighter alliance with Cerberus. It's a masterfully manipulative move, and while I ( ... )
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OH MY GOD.
And yeah, sans spoilers, Horizon is a doozie. Oh, so you're just going to use Shepard's COLLEAGUE/BFFL/ROMANTIC PARTNER as BAIT?
By using SHEPARD himself/herself as BAIT?
DUDE, WHAT THE HELL.
But really, when you consider the rest of the colony, and the events of Retribution, this stuff seems like nothing. He's a character I love to hate - but only after I think about how ridiculously manipulative he actually is.
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WAY TO FUCK IT ALL UP, TIM
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