The Mass Effect TV Show Could Be Sitting on a Powder Keg Regarding Shepard

by

The Mass Effect TV Show Could Be Sitting on a Powder Keg Regarding Shepard

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen more than my fair share of game adaptations that either fell flat or soared to new heights. The prospect of a live-action Mass Effect series on Amazon has me both excited and cautious.

Though the confirmation that a Mass Effect TV series is in development at Amazon might seem like good news to fans of the franchise, the upcoming show could be sitting on a potential powder keg regarding one key decision for its Commander Shepard. After hopes for a Mass Effect film were jeopardized when the project went quiet and appeared to be shelved, the news that a television series was in the works with Amazon seems promising, especially given its recent success of other gaming adaptations like Fallout. However, the question of how Amazon approaches Mass Effect‘s fan-favorite protagonist doesn’t have a clear-cut answer.

Previously, when discussions about a potential television series for Mass Effect were just beginning, David Gaider – a former lead narrative writer for Dragon Age – voiced his concerns about the adaptation on social media. Although Gaider’s X account is now inactive, an article by IGN summarizes his thoughts on why a Dragon Age or Mass Effect TV series could face challenges. According to Gaider, either series would require choosing whether the main character, Shepard in this case, would be male or female. However, Amazon might have two possible strategies for casting Shepard in Mass Effect.

Getting Commander Shepard’s Casting Right Matters for Mass Effect

As a devoted gamer, I’ve pondered over the hurdle that the creators of the Mass Effect TV series face when it comes to casting their Shepard. Given the iconic status of this character, it’s indeed a challenge shared by other role-playing game adaptations. For example, Amazon chose to introduce Lucy as their vault-dweller in the Fallout series, complemented by characters like Maximus and Cooper Howard. In essence, whether they choose a male or female Commander Shepard might not matter much, as long as the Mass Effect TV show manages to build a compelling ensemble of supporting characters, such as Garrus, Liara, and Joker.

Deciding Between A Male or Female Shepard Could Be Divisive

It’s apparent that the representation of male and female Shepard characters in the games varies, leading some viewers to express preferences for who plays the live-action Commander Shepard. Choosing a female Shepard could provide a powerful female lead for the Mass Effect TV series, aligning with the game’s female Shepard character. Yet, it’s important to consider that fans might also want to see how a male Shepard would be depicted in the series due to the distinct ways each version interacts with characters within the storyline.

BioWare Might Influence Which Shepard Will Appear in Amazon’s Mass Effect

Though the decision should, above all else, come down to whichever actor or actress best deserves Shepard’s role, there are potential reasons why Amazon might prefer to cast a male or female Shepard over the other. Regardless of being a safe choice, casting a male Commander Shepard seems like it would align with BioWare’s original intentions for the character, as nearly all of Mass Effect‘s cover art and trailers use the male version of Shepard. While players may have always had the choice to choose between a male or female Shepard, it appears that BioWare had originally favored one over the other.

Amazon Should Consider How Mass Effect Evolves with Male or Female Shepard

But BioWare’s supposed preferences shouldn’t interfere with Shepard’s casting during Amazon’s development of its Mass Effect series, as a female Shepard might have more to offer in terms of story-telling that a male Shepard might not. For example, Mass Effect 3‘s section featuring the female Krogan, Eve, includes dialogue specific to female Shepard that could help Amazon flesh out the story should the series reach that point. In addition to the potential romances between either male or female Shepard and key characters, Amazon should do its best to step back and cast its Commander Shepard that best suits its story.

Read More

2024-11-17 22:34