Not all romances in Mass Effect can be completed, even though options to relay interest and even attempt to pursue a squadmate present themselves. Though these romances often feel unsatisfying (and they don’t usually complete achievement requirements), some players may choose to do what their Shepard would do regardless.
After meeting Asari Justicar Samara, and talking about her life, her deeds, her daughters and her code, Shepard may start to fall in love with this thousand year-old Asari, even though she’s already seen more from life than Shepard could even begin to imagine. Despite Samara’s complex nature and centuries of experience, there is a soft sadness in her that doesn’t beg for pity, but could certainly use a little love if she’d just accept it.
Click the button below to start this article in quick view.
Loyalty
Earning Samara’s loyalty is first and foremost to winning her over. Her strict adherence to the Justicar Code means that her task must be satisfied, otherwise she cannot linger. To earn her loyalty (so she is duty-free for the Suicide Mission on the other side of the Omega 4 Relay), Shepard needs to aid her in tracking down and exterminating her quarry: the Ardat-Yakshi Morinth.
While facing Morinth, Shepard has the option to side with the Ardat-Yakshi over Samara, which not only ends the opportunity to continue the attempt at romancing her, but Samara’s life as well. Once Morinth is defeated, Samara becomes loyal to Shepard, and Shepard will have the opportunity to express interest in her during one of their many chats aboard the Normandy SR-2.
A Justicar’s Focus
When Shepard proclaims romantic interest in Samara, she is delightfully intrigued, but hides behind the Justicar’s Code. Though the code does not prohibit romantic entanglements, Samara professes that it’s important to her as an individual to focus on her work and maintaining the code. In her mind, a romantic pursuit would interfere with this, so she politely declines Shepard’s advances.
Through repeated conversations, Shepard can continue to express interest in hopes that Samara would give in. She almost did, but her will was incredibly strong. Continually refusing the opportunity to explore something more does not deter a determined Shepard, however, and they almost won her over.
However, a Shepard who acted dishonorably throughout the game, making questionable choices, did not peak Samara’s interest at all. A Samara who witnessed Shepard commit too many acts of unwarranted violence would tell them she didn’t feel the same connection. After all, she was bound to a strict moral code and worried about her own corruption.
The Almost Kiss
Still, a reasonably restrained Shepard was almost too compelling to resist. Almost. Through their many conversations and Shepard’s continued pursuit, the pair got close enough in the Starboard Observation deck to nearly share a kiss. At the last minute, however, Samara pulled back and asked to be alone. She left and went to the Crew Quarters, and if Shepard followed her again, she simply said, “Please.” Mass Effect 2 offers no other opportunity to persuade Samara otherwise. Her focus was too powerful to give in, and Samara was too disciplined to give in no matter how connected she felt to Shepard.
Together At Last
When the Reapers invaded, Shepard and Samara were reunited, assuming she survived the mission at the monastery that housed her two remaining daughters on Lesuss. The pair met again during Mass Effect 3‘s Citadel DLC, as Samara felt compelled to say goodbye. If Shepard wasn’t romancing anyone else in the third game, when they met, they could confess to how emotionally powerful it was to see her again on Lesuss.
After Shepard’s confession, Samara attempted to pull away again, but Shepard wouldn’t let her go. As she realized her way of life was slowly dying out, Samara finally gave in to the idea of romance with Commander Shepard, and the pair share a kiss.
Though the romance didn’t offer the same level of connection or satisfaction as the more developed relationships in the game, perseverance and dedication to Samara did win her over in the end. The final farewell with Samara before Shepard attempted to activate the Crucible took place via hologram, where she reminded them to choose their actions wisely, as in the end, that was all anyone else would remember of them.
About The Author
