Just tossing this out there for a little context on why this was probably said. It's quite a common theme in black culture for our elders to refer to us as "child" as a term of endearment no matter how old we are lol. Anderson is black and voiced by Keith David, so this probably felt really natural for him and conveyed the same energy as saying son for M Shep. It's another example of good character writing imo. They handle different ethnicities pretty damn well
Can attest to this somewhat. I went to an HBCU for undergrad and remember one of my professors (an older lady) frequently referring to the class as her "chocolate children". It was a bit weird at first but endearing all the same lol
I wish they went with, "Kid." child sounds like a creepy prophecy and son is odd as he ain't my pops. I love me some Anderson so I'd be cool with him as my pops though.
Idk. To me, "Child" sounds more affectionate than "Kid". "Kid", to me, is usually used a bit demeaningly or as a more general term while "Child" really adds the paternal angle to it all.
Anderson is the best space dad though.
Indeed. In my experience I've seen/heard parents be like "come along, child" in the most affectionate way possible, but yeah, ofc differences are there for different people.
I call my daughter child all the time. Unless kiddo is used. Either one are interchangeable and both convey the same affection. Now, if she is in trouble, she gets the full first, middle, and last name
My thinking is older folks call younger men "son" sometimes, but no one older calls women "daughter" so it sounds weird.
Kid sounds like a good one. "Ya done good kid"
Well, better as son, kid or child. Although kid is debateable. As they have a great relationship, still they are not family. So a "you did good" would be enough if the commander is too formal to you.
I think itās perfectly fine, after all heās a father figure to Shepard. But if someone thinks a replacement is needed, then maybe āYou did good, my friend.ā Is better? Or to Femshep specifically āYou did good, my dear.ā
I actually don't think he's a father-figure to Shepard at all. That's really just a headcanon, although it's a good one. Until the third game, there's really nothing in their relationship to imply that. And what happened in ME3 could still just be deep mutual respect.
I know the community likes the 'space-dad' trope, but it really is just in their heads far as I'm concerned.
I mean, he does leave you his house. Thatās a pretty ādadā move. Or at least, something you usually would only do for family.
I wouldāve gone with my brother or my sister. It works because it shows theyāre close, and also theyāre brothers/brother and sister in arms.
Sure, but how much of ME3 stuff was done because of the general audience's opinion of Anderson and Shepard's relationship? I'd say a lot. He was literally just his/her CO in ME1 and did even less in ME2. It was only in the third game, where they add the father/child relationship angle.
I'm not against Anderson here btw, in case it's unclear. I think he's an amazing character and had a great story arc. But I don't see him being Shep's "dad" any more than Hackett or TIM would be.
I agree that Hackett isnāt father material lol. Heās very formal, whereas Anderson isnāt. Sometimes yeah, but while itās not his to give, he does certainly approve to give the Normandy to Shepard because they matter to him. So I have to disagree that heās no father figure. He certainly is. Itās true that he doesnāt have much of a role in ME2, but thatās because they wanted to focus on Cerberus. Itās no implication that he is āspace-dadā, the fact he calls Broshep āsonā and Femshep āchildā.
Also according to the canonical ages of the Mass Effect characters (which IMO donāt make sense) heās not even 20 years older than Shepard. Heās only 48 by the time of the 3rd game.
No matter what people think of what came afterwards, this moment was just brilliant. Though what would've made it perfect is the dialogue that was cut from this part (for reasons I still don't entirely understand).
I'm aware there's mods for that, but alas, I do not own a PC.
The male fantasy of making your found father figure proud.
If I wasn't at work I'd go curl up in a ball for a few minutes.
I guess it could have just been, "You did good, I'm proud of you." And then that could have worked for either shep.
Just tossing this out there for a little context on why this was probably said. It's quite a common theme in black culture for our elders to refer to us as "child" as a term of endearment no matter how old we are lol. Anderson is black and voiced by Keith David, so this probably felt really natural for him and conveyed the same energy as saying son for M Shep. It's another example of good character writing imo. They handle different ethnicities pretty damn well
Can attest to this somewhat. I went to an HBCU for undergrad and remember one of my professors (an older lady) frequently referring to the class as her "chocolate children". It was a bit weird at first but endearing all the same lol
That bugged me a bit. MaleShep gets a "you did good, son" and FemShep gets a "you did good, child". She's a grown ass woman damnit! š
I can't think of an equal replacement though lol "You did good, daughter" don't sound right Edit: don't call me daughter
You did good *bruh*
You slayed babe /s
I wish they went with, "Kid." child sounds like a creepy prophecy and son is odd as he ain't my pops. I love me some Anderson so I'd be cool with him as my pops though.
Idk. To me, "Child" sounds more affectionate than "Kid". "Kid", to me, is usually used a bit demeaningly or as a more general term while "Child" really adds the paternal angle to it all. Anderson is the best space dad though.
To me it sounds cold because I don't know any parent who calls their children as such. To each their own of course. š¤
Indeed. In my experience I've seen/heard parents be like "come along, child" in the most affectionate way possible, but yeah, ofc differences are there for different people.
Never seen that where I'm from. Okie dokie then.
I call my daughter child all the time. Unless kiddo is used. Either one are interchangeable and both convey the same affection. Now, if she is in trouble, she gets the full first, middle, and last name
My thinking is older folks call younger men "son" sometimes, but no one older calls women "daughter" so it sounds weird. Kid sounds like a good one. "Ya done good kid"
Mhm. Down south here it's always, "baby" or "honey" or "sugar" :) But I'm cool with "Kid."
Yeah I'm from south alabama and my grandpa calls everyone "bubba" I love being called baby or honey by older people, it warms my heart
Yes! My folks had all girls but our boy cousins are "Bubba." š
Now I think we need a redneck in the next mass effect
I mean, we got close with Wrex and Grunt. š
Call me "maybe". :)))
šµNot fit to... the picture I kept will remind me šµ
Babygurl?
I think just a "you did good" or "you did good, commander" would have fit better.
The latter sounds just way too formal
Well, better as son, kid or child. Although kid is debateable. As they have a great relationship, still they are not family. So a "you did good" would be enough if the commander is too formal to you.
āQueeenn!āšš¼š
Agreed. Iāve always thought it didnāt sound right.
I think itās perfectly fine, after all heās a father figure to Shepard. But if someone thinks a replacement is needed, then maybe āYou did good, my friend.ā Is better? Or to Femshep specifically āYou did good, my dear.ā
I actually don't think he's a father-figure to Shepard at all. That's really just a headcanon, although it's a good one. Until the third game, there's really nothing in their relationship to imply that. And what happened in ME3 could still just be deep mutual respect. I know the community likes the 'space-dad' trope, but it really is just in their heads far as I'm concerned.
I mean, he does leave you his house. Thatās a pretty ādadā move. Or at least, something you usually would only do for family. I wouldāve gone with my brother or my sister. It works because it shows theyāre close, and also theyāre brothers/brother and sister in arms.
Sure, but how much of ME3 stuff was done because of the general audience's opinion of Anderson and Shepard's relationship? I'd say a lot. He was literally just his/her CO in ME1 and did even less in ME2. It was only in the third game, where they add the father/child relationship angle. I'm not against Anderson here btw, in case it's unclear. I think he's an amazing character and had a great story arc. But I don't see him being Shep's "dad" any more than Hackett or TIM would be.
I agree that Hackett isnāt father material lol. Heās very formal, whereas Anderson isnāt. Sometimes yeah, but while itās not his to give, he does certainly approve to give the Normandy to Shepard because they matter to him. So I have to disagree that heās no father figure. He certainly is. Itās true that he doesnāt have much of a role in ME2, but thatās because they wanted to focus on Cerberus. Itās no implication that he is āspace-dadā, the fact he calls Broshep āsonā and Femshep āchildā.
Thereās enough to say heās a mentor-figure. Which isnāt really that different tbh
Also according to the canonical ages of the Mass Effect characters (which IMO donāt make sense) heās not even 20 years older than Shepard. Heās only 48 by the time of the 3rd game.
It has nothing to do with difference in age though, but with experience and their relationship.
No matter what people think of what came afterwards, this moment was just brilliant. Though what would've made it perfect is the dialogue that was cut from this part (for reasons I still don't entirely understand). I'm aware there's mods for that, but alas, I do not own a PC.
What was the cut dialogue?
The male fantasy of making your found father figure proud. If I wasn't at work I'd go curl up in a ball for a few minutes. I guess it could have just been, "You did good, I'm proud of you." And then that could have worked for either shep.
This moment hits me so hard every damn time
It's raining pretty hard inside my house.