Should kerrigan die?

[GnaReffotsirk]

Death is usually the easiest way out for redeemed evil monsters. You do something heroic, you die, and all's good. I'd rather see Kerrigan having to live with the consequences of her actions... assuming redemption's the path that is being taken.

On the other hand death is the unavoidable punishment of the wrong done. Eye for an eye, regardless redemption.

In some themes, death it the baggage that the character just can't get rid of, either by going to the extreme, or making a dramatic turn.

Kerrigan didn't choose to be Zerg, Arcturus decision made it happen. This is on whom that choice should be explored and developed: Relationship between Mengsk and Kerrigan in terms of Kerrigan paying the price and becoming Zerg.

If she dies, it becomes the finality of Mengsk decision, and so will tear apart Raynor as it relates to Raynor vs Mengsk in the realm of losing a loved one.

If the focus was on Kerrigan alone, and she died, it's a tragedy story. One that she is a victim of a power she absolutely have no chance of resisting, defeating, and will center on the issue: Trust.

[phazonjunkie]

It's seems Blizzard is going for some kind of 'Jean Grey/Dark Pheonix, or Nikki Sanders/Jessica, type dichotomy with Kerrigan.

Not saying that it couldn't actually work, but I'm rather dubious of Blizzard's writing dept. being able to pull it off in a way that actually makes sense and offers genuine resolution.

[Turalyon]

Kerrigan didn't choose to be Zerg, Arcturus decision made it happen. This is on whom that choice should be explored and developed: Relationship between Mengsk and Kerrigan in terms of Kerrigan paying the price and becoming Zerg.

If she dies, it becomes the finality of Mengsk decision, and so will tear apart Raynor as it relates to Raynor vs Mengsk in the realm of losing a loved one.

If the focus was on Kerrigan alone, and she died, it's a tragedy story. One that she is a victim of a power she absolutely have no chance of resisting, defeating, and will center on the issue: Trust.

I can only hope that the remaining SC2 installments cover this particular ground. But I highly doubt that these themes will be explored in any great deal considering how the story so far is so heavily plot-driven it leaves little room for meaningful character development.

As an example of this and from what we know of WoLs ending and the general direction of the next expansion, I think Kerrigan's 'redemption' will involve defeating the big bad and hybrids. From there, she could stay good or most likely, suddenly turn on her allies again as a final twist to show everyone who's the boss of the K-Sector. Then Raynor is forced to kill her somehow. The last scene will involve showing Raynor being heartbroken to maintain the dark vibe that is Starcraft.

As you can see, none of this will explore anything new about the characters. *sigh*

[Louis]

At firt you were like

Oh, I'm mystiified alright. I'm mystified at how blatant they can be in stretching this paper-thin plot.

And then you were like

I can only hope that the remaining SC2 installments cover this particular ground. But I highly doubt that these themes will be explored in any great deal considering how the story so far is so heavily plot-driven it leaves little room for meaningful character development.

[Turalyon]

Sorry, I'm not a writer. It's sometimes difficult to get my point across sometimes...

What I mean by heavily plot driven is that the story relies heavily on plot devices/ contrivances/ meaningless window-dressing/ diversions to drive it forward. Examples of this include the artifact pieces. They're never used beyond what is given - we have to take it all at face value. It feels like we're running errands - "we have to do this, this and that. Then this happens. The end". It all rings hollow because it seems like we are just ticking off a check-list until we get to the end. This is not compelling to me.

The side missions were interesting because they had potential for character development but they too are rendered meaningless. They are all just window-dressing/ plot devices that have no impact to nor do they inform the characters' main story.

The over-arching plot in SC2 is the discovery of a mysterious, all-powerful entity that wants to destroy everything we know. We rise up and defeat it somehow. This is the paper-thin plot I'm alluding to. I know that this may not be exactly how it will turn out, but when LotV comes out it'll just be a variation on that theme. This plot cannot sustain three games.

[FanaticTemplar]

As an example of this and from what we know of WoLs ending and the general direction of the next expansion, I think Kerrigan's 'redemption' will involve defeating the big bad and hybrids. From there, she could stay good or most likely, suddenly turn on her allies again as a final twist to show everyone who's the boss of the K-Sector.

That's exactly the same climax as Brood War's. I understand that not everybody shares my opinion of that game's story, but still you must admit that it would be incredibly lazy and unoriginal to just reuse that climax - not that it was especially clever or original the first time.

Then Raynor is forced to kill her somehow. The last scene will involve showing Raynor being heartbroken to maintain the dark vibe that is Starcraft.

I get the feeling that Wings of Liberty did not end as you wanted it to. Aside from backtracking over existing continuity and therefore lessening those stories' meaning, I don't see what this ending would contribute. What does Kerrigan's death contribute to the story? What does dumping even more misery on Raynor achieve? I get the tragic love ending of course, but that one's already played for Raynor and Kerrigan. We got it already at New Gettysburg, on Char after her infestation, on Korhal after she murdered Fenix. It's the same story, again and again, with variations in context and details, but still the same effect. Sure, this would be the strongest of such scenes due to its finality and Raynor himself being the cause of it, but I'd still rather have something original, if I could.

[Louis]

The simple answer is that some fans simply don't want things to be different and are afraid of change. WoL could have done it perfectly (which it didn't) but they'd still say it's shit, and arguing to the contrary would be like trying to make peace with the Tal'Darim

[Turalyon]

That's exactly the same climax as Brood War's. I understand that not everybody shares my opinion of that game's story, but still you must admit that it would be incredibly lazy and unoriginal to just reuse that climax - not that it was especially clever or original the first time.



I get the feeling that Wings of Liberty did not end as you wanted it to. Aside from backtracking over existing continuity and therefore lessening those stories' meaning, I don't see what this ending would contribute. What does Kerrigan's death contribute to the story? What does dumping even more misery on Raynor achieve? I get the tragic love ending of course, but that one's already played for Raynor and Kerrigan. We got it already at New Gettysburg, on Char after her infestation, on Korhal after she murdered Fenix. It's the same story, again and again, with variations in context and details, but still the same effect. Sure, this would be the strongest of such scenes due to its finality and Raynor himself being the cause of it, but I'd still rather have something original, if I could.

I'm not sure you understood my intention when I wrote that summary. It was my cynical interpretation of how SC2 could possibly end based on what we've seen already from WoL. I do NOT want it to turn out as I had described for the very reasons you have put forward.

I actually have no preconceived notions of what WoL should've been. The bones of the story itself are fine but the feeling of immersion/ connection is not quite there. The tools where all there in WoL to make it compelling, but still all I felt was indifference to the characters and story.

[FanaticTemplar]

I'm not sure you understood my intention when I wrote that summary. It was my cynical interpretation of how SC2 could possibly end based on what we've seen already from WoL. I do NOT want it to turn out as I had described for the very reasons you have put forward.

I actually have no preconceived notions of what WoL should've been. The bones of the story itself are fine but the feeling of immersion/ connection is not quite there. The tools where all there in WoL to make it compelling, but still all I felt was indifference to the characters and story.

You're right, I completely misunderstood. My apologies then.