What If Arthur Met Gavin? A Frontier Encounter That Could Change Everything

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Among the enigmatic figures in “Red Dead Redemption 2,” Gavin stands out as one of the most intriguing off-screen characters. He’s neither seen nor officially acknowledged, yet he’s spoken about by his friend Nigel, a well-dressed minor character from England who tirelessly searches for him across the American wilderness. Nigl’s erratic behavior, such as roaming the map, repeatedly calling out for Gavin, and becoming defensive when questioned, suggests a shattered man whose longing for Gavin seems to have fractured something essential within him.

In the game “Red Dead Redemption 2”, character Arthur Morgan, who is both deeply cynical yet capable of kindness, would’ve approached Gavin with cautious uncertainty if they ever crossed paths. Being well-acquainted with swindlers and lunatics, Nigel’s peculiar behavior would have set off warning signals for him during this potential encounter. However, Arthur is also a man grappling with a world on the brink of extinction; he’s inquisitive, thoughtful, and when necessary, compassionate. Rather than dismissing or disregarding the meeting, Arthur likely would have first attempted to understand the situation more thoroughly before acting.

Nigel’s Madness Makes Gavin Seem Like a Symbol of Dislocation and Delusion

As a gamer, I can’t quite tell if Gavin was ever a real character or just a figment of Nigel’s mind slipping away. He talks about Gavin in the past, but his stories seem inconsistent at times. One moment he’s desperate, another he’s furious, and never once does he accept help from Arthur or anyone else. It feels like Rockstar intentionally left Nigel’s background unclear, and there’s no satisfying resolution to it all. From Nigel’s hazy memories, Gavin might have been a bit naive, but he certainly leaned on him heavily.

The overly positive portrayal of a man by someone who appears to be unbalanced indicates a lopsided relationship. Encountering Gavin might have revealed signs of emotional abuse, inadequacy, or simply a desire to break free from Nigel’s control. The interaction between Arthur and Gavin in Red Dead Redemption 2 could have exposed the grim reality beneath their supposed friendship, challenging Nigel’s overly optimistic narrative. Alternatively, if Gavin were normal, it would suggest that Nigel may be losing his grip on reality. Instead of unraveling a grand mystery, players might have witnessed a tale centered around obsession, identity, and personal destruction.

Meeting Gavin Would’ve Deepened the Protagonist’s Arc, Too

In a different scenario, if Arthur had encountered Gavin, their encounter wouldn’t have revolved around unraveling a grand mystery. Instead, it would have held more weight on a personal level. Arthur Morgan’s illness, the disintegration of his gang, and here was this seemingly lost and potentially damaged individual. Gavin could have mirrored where Arthur was heading. Whether Arthur decided to assist him or not, this interaction would have advanced his redemption storyline. It wasn’t about finding solutions; it was about how Arthur responded when faced with someone else who was equally adrift. He might have found himself caught between safeguarding Gavin’s liberty and thwarting Nigel’s plans.

What RDR2 Reveals About Gavin and What He Could’ve Been Like

In the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, your first meeting with Nigel is typically in the vicinity of Rhodes. He’s panicking and calling out for Gavin there, as he believes Gavin has vanished without a trace. Nigel maintains that Gavin is his dearest friend, having traveled from England together, and this sudden disappearance is highly unusual for him. Nigel expresses his belief that Gavin wouldn’t abandon him in such a manner, which drives his relentless search across the game map. Throughout the game, you may come across Nigl in diverse locations like Saint Denis, the wilderness, and even near Blackwater, where he continues to repeat the same sentiments: that Gavin is missing, they arrived in America together, and he’s concerned about Gavin’s safety.

In a subtle hint, Nigel’s attire and demeanor indicate he was a member of England’s middle class. This could suggest that Gavin, too, may have had a similar appearance and gentle speech, making him seemingly unsuited for life in the American frontier, as depicted in Red Dead Redemption (RDR). From snippets of dialogue, it seems that Gavin was cheerful, eccentric, and perhaps naive. This could imply that he might not have been equipped to handle the harshness of the American wilderness. On the other hand, it’s also possible that Gavin is a figure Nigel admires and aspires to be like, and in order to explain his own shortcomings, Nigel may have turned him into a ghostly character.

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2025-04-23 02:06