The Mass Effect series has had some missteps when it comes to romance, but some of the romance storylines in the games are very well-thought out and sincere. February is also known as “Creative Romance Month,” a wonderful time to look back at some of the most well-known or highly acclaimed romances found in the Mass Effect franchise. Some of these stories are alien romances between Commander Shepard and various crewmates, while others focus on human romantic interests. Samantha Traynor was introduced in Mass Effect 3, so she doesn’t have a long-spanning romance like some others, but her story is still endearing.
Samantha Traynor becomes part of the Normandy crew in Mass Effect 3 and serves as a communications specialist aboard the vessel. She’s not a crewmate that can come on missions with Shepard, but she does relay important messages to the Commander, and her meticulous data observation helps quite a few people across the galaxy. Samantha is a lesbian, so she can only be romanced by female Commander Shepard. She’s also voiced by Alix Wilton Regan, who has been featured in video games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin’s Creed. Regan’s connection to Samantha is only a small part of the impact this specific romance had on the LGBTQIA community.
Samantha’s romance definitely isn’t as long as some others throughout the Mass Effect Trilogy, but it still has some really cute, sincere moments between her and Commander Shepard. Their romance doesn’t have a traditional, gradual build like other romance plotlines in the series, but it’s clear that there’s genuine affection between the two of them. Samantha’s also got a charming, kind-of dorky personality that’s a fun experience for players to get to know throughout the game, romance interest or not.
The comms specialist has a penchant for good showers and hot tubs, as well as playing a mean game of chess. She also has a toothbrush worth 6,000 bits, which players will remember saving the day in the Citadel DLC. Though players have to wait until the third game to romance her, Samantha’s romance is definitely worth waiting for because of the playful banter between her and the Commander, as well as her overall influence on the LGBTQIA community.
Mass Effect has featured (sort of) same sex romances from the start with Liara and female Shepard, though that’s technically different because asari are monogender. It’s not until Mass Effect 3 that players actually have exclusive same-sex romance options for male and female Commander Shepard. Female Shepard cannot romance Steve Cortez, and male Shepard cannot romance Samantha Traynor.
It’s not the first time gender has determined whether or not Shepard was able to romance someone, but it was refreshing to not see only straight romances locked into place. Samantha’s most poignant moment occurs in her final dialogue with Shepard, where she talks about settling down with her when the war is over. A lot of thought and consideration went into that moment, with the writers actually asking LGBTQIA staff what they thought about the conversation, and what they would change.
It was one of the first times a video game talked about two women making a life together, which is why it was such an important step for LGBTQIA representation. It doesn’t forgive Mass Effect’s other missteps, but it’s still heartwarming to watch two women talk about the house, the dog, the kids, and the picket fence they want together when all is said and done.
It was also an important scene for Alix Wilton Regan because she was raised by two mothers, which is slowly becoming more commonplace now, but wasn’t at the time of her childhood. Samantha Traynor may have one of the shortest romances of Mass Effect, but that doesn’t make her story or her presence any less impactful for players and/or the LGBTQIA community.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition releases May 14 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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