Red Dead Redemption 2is a complex game with some new secret like Arthur counting his bullets, some peculiarities likeArthur’s best friend being a sheep, or some new mystery like the third meteorites being discovered quite often. This goes a long way in making the world come to life, as these small connections and moments are things that bring players back for another playthrough.
Interestingly enough, these connections are indeed everywhere and can be found between one of the game’s protagonists, Arthur Morgan, and its biggest antagonist, Micah Bell. These twoRed Dead Redemption 2characters could not be more different, yet there is one thing that connects the two and it highlights the overarching animosity between the two.
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First, it’s worth mentioning that Micah is a reflective character, not in the personal sense but how he makes other characters stand out. He is so insane, so bad, and so evil that the rest of theDutch Van Der Linde Gangseems like saints in comparisons. He digs his way between Dutch and Arthur, and sets himself up to be one of the top ranking members (even though that’s not technically the case). Micah breaks down the family element of the gang as such, and that shows his role as a foreshadowing character inRDR2.
Micah, for those who are unaware, is the name of an Old Testament prophet. He prophesied that enemies could come from one families, specifically stating in Micah 7:6, “For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.” This is important because of howMicah Bellinfiltrates the house of Dutch and turned that family against each other. He’d go so far as to refer to the gang as his family and Arthur Morgan as “Brother.” It’s clear from the onset that Micah is meant to reflect and foreshadow the upcoming events ofRDR2.
When Arthur’s section ofRed Dead Redemption 2comes to an end, there’s a choice between going back for the money or helping John Marston escape. Players die in this section of the game, regardless of choice, but he dies in one of two ways depending on his honor. IfArthur Morgan has Low Honor, then Micah will either spit on him then shoot him in the head in one scenario or stab him in the back in another. This is clear enough, as Micah’s connection to the family prophecies of the Old Testament are easily identifiable, but the other scenario is far more interesting.
If Arthur Morgan has High Honor, then he enjoys the sunset and succumbs to his Tuberculosis. There’s nothing major at first glance to connect his disease to Micah Bell, as he contracted it from Thomas Downes after all. However, as demonstrated throughout the game for those who don’t know,Tuberculosisis a disease that destroys the lungs and damages one' ability to breathe. While not to the same extent or even close to it, Micah has some serious respiratory issues inRed Dead 2.
Throughout the game, Micah can be seen clearing his throat, severely coughing, and frequently snorting. It’s unknown why this happens, as it could be any number of things or nothing at all, but in Micah, Arthur Morgan’s death is reflected well before it happens. Micah’s ranting about family highlights the eventual betrayal of Dutch, as well as the fact that he potentially kills Arthur Morgan. Yet his overall health is reflective of Arthur Morgan’s end of life health, and this is just one more small detail that brings theworld ofRed Dead Redemption 2to life.
Red Dead Redemption 2is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
