9. The Illusive Man
Quote: “Where you see a means to
destroy, I see a way to control--to dominate and harness the Reapers' power.
Imagine how strong humanity would be if we controlled them.”
Series: Mass Effect
The Illusive Man has no past before
becoming the head of Cerberus. His intentions are shrouded in mystery, but what
really earns him his spot is he is the only one willing to help the hero (and it’s
annoying as hell). Though he is a villain, The Illusive Man does think he is
doing what is best for humanity. The ends justify the means, is the call of the
organization known as Cerberus. "If humanity is to survive, sacrifices
must be made for the greater good.”
He is intelligent, charismatic, and
well-informed. He’s frightening because it’s easy to see why so many people
agree with him, because he is right most of the time. Often times his choices
are the better ones even if they aren’t morally right. It would be very easy to
fall into his plans, just by your own choice (no coercion needed).
He’s cool and collected, but
becomes angry quickly when disagreed with constantly. His belief that humanity
should dominate the galaxy and bring other species underfoot is just the end of
his plan. Throughout the three games he and his organization can be seen as
slavers, mad scientists, and saviors. He can be seen as both the worst and best
humanity can offer.
Despite his willingness to provide
the hero with support, he can never truly be trusted. He is willing to do
anything to make sure the human race survives, including sending Shepard into
traps, and luring Reapers (giant living technology whose only purpose is to
destroy organic life) to planets inhabited by aliens in order to study the
effects.
He also has no qualms about using
his own people as experiments. In Mass Effect 3 it is commented on while on
mars that the Cerberus corpses looked very similar to husks. He was also the
person responsible for sabotaging Eldfell-Ashland Energy starships over human
colonies in order to cause children to be born as biotics (to make humanity
stronger).
[Spoilers] In the end his plans are
thrown to ruin when the Reapers take advantage of his need to control and use
him as a puppet. His final confrontation with Shepard can end with him
realizing he is being used, and eventual he commits suicide; or with his stubborn
determination that he is in the right which will cause him to be shot by
Shepard. The crux of this is his choice actual was right in the end.
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