Mengsk is shaping up to be the main villain of HotS; bad move for the story?

[DemolitionSquid]

I think he probably did have an ulterior motive in ridding himself of Kerrigan (whether the one stated in Uprising or something else), otherwise why risk Raynor's loyalty?

Kerrigan was the ghost assigned to kill Mengsk's father, Angus. She then had her memory wiped. A few years later Mengsk rescued her from the Confederates, not knowing she was Angus' assassin. He only learned that later. Awhile after that, after she had outlived her usefulness, he left her to die at the hands of the Zerg as revenge, even though Kerrigan still had no memory of her actions.

At least, I'm fairly certain that's the accurate synopsis.

[Eligor]

Kerrigan was the ghost assigned to kill Mengsk's father, Angus. She then had her memory wiped. A few years later Mengsk rescued her from the Confederates, not knowing she was Angus' assassin. He only learned that later. Awhile after that, after she had outlived her usefulness, he left her to die at the hands of the Zerg as revenge, even though Kerrigan still had no memory of her actions.

At least, I'm fairly certain that's the accurate synopsis.

That was the reason given in Uprising. Just not sure how canon it is by now with Blizzard's rampant retconning.

[Zeraszana]

Kerrigan was the ghost assigned to kill Mengsk's father, Angus. She then had her memory wiped. A few years later Mengsk rescued her from the Confederates, not knowing she was Angus' assassin. He only learned that later. Awhile after that, after she had outlived her usefulness, he left her to die at the hands of the Zerg as revenge, even though Kerrigan still had no memory of her actions.

At least, I'm fairly certain that's the accurate synopsis.

she knew she was the third ghost - he told her that, and he said he would spare her and her loyalty to him grew (god knows where i read that but i do remember it being so)

[DemolitionSquid]

she knew she was the third ghost - he told her that, and he said he would spare her and her loyalty to him grew (god knows where i read that but i do remember it being so)

Correction appreciated. I thought she had been brainwashed.

[ZealotPowerade]

That's the first time I heard that opinion. And while I don't agree with it Mengsk certainly would.

A good leader strives to inspire loyalty in his men and Mengsk should have known what effect would it have on Raynor. In the end he lost one lieutenant to the Zerg and alienated and driven away another one (together with a sizeable force that went to become Raynor's Raiders). In purely impersonal and mathematical the loss of Raynor and Kerrigan and gain of Korhal certainly made sense. But it doesn't say much about Mengsk as a human being and pretty much represents the cardinal fault of tyrants and dictators who always believe themselves to be doing right and acting for the greater good. Not to say that all Mengsk did was evil, but then you can say the same about Hitler who did restore German economy and living standard to a normal level (for example). Of course none of this denies Mengsk's courage, resourfefulness and intelligence and had we played a campaign from the viewpoint of a Dominion general he could easily have appeared as an admirable leader.

I think he probably did have an ulterior motive in ridding himself of Kerrigan (whether the one stated in Uprising or something else), otherwise why risk Raynor's loyalty?

I would say I don't really agree with the way he handled the situation.. He gave his orders without explanation and was a cold heartless bastard. The decision itself wasn't too terrible IF he knew that rescuing her was already impossible. If it was possible then I'd say it was downright low and deplorable. However the game doesn't give us that information...
If he had shown at least a bit of remorse to jim and said "I'm sorry." Then I think it would have diffused the situation a bit more. That said... he was a much better villain in sc1

[sandwich_bird]

In purely impersonal and mathematical the loss of Raynor and Kerrigan and gain of Korhal certainly made sense. But it doesn't say much about Mengsk as a human being and pretty much represents the cardinal fault of tyrants and dictators who always believe themselves to be doing right and acting for the greater good. Not to say that all Mengsk did was evil, you can say the same about Hitler who did restore German economy and living standard to a normal level

I'd agree to some extent but I mean they both have major differences in their motives. Hitler was blinded by some retarded nationalistic ideas and that's what motivated all of his actions. Mengsk makes more sense (yes, a fictional character make more sense than a real one...); there are freaking aliens killing everyone and a corrupted government that is too stupid to do anything about it, lets get this revolution into overdrive!

I see him at lot more like a Lenin than a Hitler.

[Zeraszana]

Correction appreciated. I thought she had been brainwashed.

jep, she was but he revealed her the secrets he's simply too good in psychological warfare...sleezy bastard

[mr. peasant]

I think the 'problem' here is that SC1 and BW had characters with understandable motivations doing justifiable actions (yes, even the Overmind). This gave players the impression that the Starcraft universe had a somewhat amoral setting. However, with better insight thanks to supplementary material and better communication with the writers, it becomes increasingly clear that Blizzard has a more black-and-white perspective in their writing. Hence, the realignment of the setting's moral axis (in terms of of how we view the characters), is a jarring experience.

[Sheliek]

I would say I don't really agree with the way he handled the situation.. He gave his orders without explanation and was a cold heartless bastard. The decision itself wasn't too terrible IF he knew that rescuing her was already impossible. If it was possible then I'd say it was downright low and deplorable. However the game doesn't give us that information...
If he had shown at least a bit of remorse to jim and said "I'm sorry." Then I think it would have diffused the situation a bit more. That said... he was a much better villain in sc1

Alternatively, he could have at least justified it. 'She killed my father, mother, and sister. It was only a matter of time before she betrayed us.' If worded better, it could have even kept Raynor on his side.

Or at least, not as hateful.

[Triceron]

How mushy must Kerrigan's brain be after being brain washed, zergified, dezergified then rezergified.