[Mass Effect 2] Blindness and Ignorance

This is Mass Effect March! In honor of the release of Mass Effect 3, this entire month is devoted to digging into this epic trilogy. We’ll explore the different races, themes, and some major story arcs. At the end of the month we’ll cap things off with a week of posts on Mass Effect 3 to see how everything is resolved (or not). Today we’re looking at the reason for Commander Shepard’s resurrection in Mass Effect 2- the inaction of the Council.

Mass Effect 2 gives us a much more intimate look at the pro-human survivalist group Cerberus. Their main goal is to do whatever it takes to ensure the survival and expansion of humankind. Supposedly this doesn’t necessarily mean ruling over all other races, but one does get the sense that if it had to come down to us or them, Cerberus would make sure humans come out on top. They almost give off a KKK vibe in their devotion to the advancement of humanity in the universe.

Any leader who is this creepy cannot be trustworthy.

Cerberus’ leader, The Illusive Man, used his ridiculous wealth and resources to bring Shepard back from death for a specific reason. He felt that those in charge, the Council, weren’t doing their jobs properly in looking after the safety of the universe, particularly humanity. Not to take the side of ole’ Creepy Eyes up there, but the Council did indeed drop the ball this time around. They were your go-to people in Mass Effect 1, but in this game you have to resort to working with Cerberus, the sketchy space militia, to get the job done.

The Council is not the first group of people to suffer from chronic ignorance and a case of the stupids. Jesus had many conflictual run-ins with the terminally blind, and we’re not talking about those who lacked physical sight. Jesus’ main foes were the Pharisees and the Sadducees, generally known as the teachers of the Law. “The Law” being all the books of the Old Testament- the same books that happened to contain many prophecies about a Messiah who would come to save them. Someone like, say…..Jesus.

The very people who should have had the most knowledge and devotion to God were not only blind to Jesus as Messiah, but openly defied him, labeled him as a heretic, and ultimately played a role in his crucifixion. Jesus pulls out one of these prophecies that actually speaks of the blindness of these people, ‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

"Reaper? That wasn't a reaper. That was just an optical illusion. Quit that crazy talk Commander Shepard!"

The Council, like those teachers of the law, had all the relevant information. The pieces of the Reaper ship Sovereign were scattered all over the Citadel, yet they chose to believe that it was all just part of Saren’s plan and since he’s dead now they can forget about the whole thing. They denied the possibility that there may be an entire civilization of Reapers on their way to come and destroy everyone. But why do this? Why would the teaches of the law deny the very Messiah they’d been hoping for? Why cover up or ignore evidence of a potentially lethal threat? The answer can be described in many ways, but the word the Bible uses is unrighteousness. Romans describes how unrighteousness suppresses the truth. When we refuse to submit to God’s truth, we open ourselves up to believing lies and ignoring the dangers in front of us.

The teachers of the law would rather hold on to their long-held traditions than accept the unexpected and radical teachings of the actual Son of God. The Council chose the path of laziness because to acknowledge the Reaper threat would mean that they would have to actually get off their bureaucratic duffs and do something about it. Instead of being open the truth, they closed themselves off and retreated to what was easy and comfortable. Proverbs warns against this mentality, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.”

Questions:

Was there a time when you chose not to face a truth that later caused you harm?

Are you currently avoiding a truth that you’re uncomfortable with?

Mass Effect 2 has rich support characters with fascinating stories. The next post will look at some of the recurring themes in the development of these characters.

Halo 2: A Monument To All Your Sins

This week we’ll be looking at the themes of religion, truth, and heresy in Halo 2. This post will center on a pivotal scene that highlights the fundamental differences between the humans and the Covenant; between Master Chief and the Arbiter. Instead of a clumsy and wordy attempt at a recap, go here for a plot summary of the events.

“I am a monument to all your sins.”

This simple and ominous declaration is how Gravemind introduces himself to those he has ensnared near the end of Halo 2’s story. Through various circumstances, he has gathered together Master Chief, the Covenant Elite known as the Arbiter, 2401 Penitent Tangent (the A.I. for Delta Halo), and the recently Flood-assimilated Prophet of Regret.

This scene shows a comparison between two very different worldviews that are both now facing the problem of evil. On the one side is the Flood-form and overly zealous Prophet of Regret, along with the Arbiter. On the other is Penitent Tangent and the one he calls the Reclaimer, Master Chief.

Gravemind describes Master Chief by saying, “This one is machine and nerve, and has its mind concluded.” And of the Arbiter he says, “This one is but flesh and faith, and is the more deluded.” I guess they decided to give the ancient intelligent space parasite a poetic bent.

What we have here is the classic man of science/man of faith contrast. The “man of science” perspective held by Master Chief, Penitent Tangent, Jack Shephard, etc. holds to reason, knowledge and objectivity. On the opposing side is the Arbiter, the Prophet of Regret, John Locke, and all of the Covenant who believe in advancing through a moral and behavioral code by the power of ancient relics and rituals.

Gravemind may as well be the smoke monster. (Source)

When Gravemind identifies himself as “a monument to all your sins” he seems to be talking to both sides of this situation. For Master Chief and humanity, Gravemind is the remnant of the scourge that was responsible for wiping out humanity’s predecessors. Gravemind is the deep dark secret of the universe that’s hidden away, just like all sin. Even though it’s not easily seen, it stays underneath the surface, plotting evil and infecting everything it touches. But even though sin is staring Master Chief right in the face, their only solution is to use science to blow it up.

On the other hand is the seemingly useless religiosity of the Arbiter and the Covenant. During this scene, the Prophet of Regret thinks he can save them from Gravemind by using some amazing speech. He is quickly shot down by Penitent Tangent who flat out states that sermonizing will do nothing. Despite all their grand religious claims and posturing, the Covenant can’t avoid the fact that sin is outside of their control. They think that by activating the Halo rings they will bring salvation, but they will actually bring only destruction to everyone. Their impotence to adequately deal with the issue shows the delusion of their beliefs.

Even though the representatives of both of these worldviews face the same threat, the game clearly favors one side- the man of science. The Covenant are shown to be overly zealous, deluded, and entirely ignorant of what is going on around them.

In the next post we’ll look more closely at this picture of religion and hypocrisy as presented through the depiction of the Covenant Hierarchs.