Loyalty Has a Price _ GTA Analysis Beyond The Mission

One Last Ride On The Road To GTA VI 📅 68 Days to launch

Loyalty Has a Price

Michael is essentially telling Franklin; “You need to leave because being associated with me could get you killed.”. That’s a remarkable change from their relationship earlier in the game.

Michael originally saw Franklin as a talented young criminal who could help him get back into the game. Now he’s recognising that his own problems are becoming Franklin’s problems and Franklin doesn’t run. That’s the key.

Michael finally admits:

he’s been lying about his past
he’s working for the Feds
Trevor is back
his relationship with Trevor is dangerously complicated
he’s trapped between multiple sides
he doesn’t actually know how to get himself out

And after all of that, Franklin basically says; “You helped me. I’m not leaving you.”. That’s loyalty. Not because Franklin thinks Michael is innocent — he absolutely isn’t. Not because he thinks Michael’s situation is safe — it clearly isn’t. But because Michael has become family.

The deeper connection

There’s a fascinating progression in Michael and Franklin’s relationship. When they first meet, Michael is essentially the experienced criminal teaching the younger man how to operate. Franklin wants success. Michael wants a second chance. They both think they’re getting something from the other but by this point, that relationship has evolved into something much more genuine.

Michael has taught Franklin how to think bigger. Franklin has given Michael something he desperately needed; someone who believes in him without believing all his bullshit and that’s why Michael’s confession here matters. He doesn’t try to make himself sound heroic. He basically says:

I’m a liar.
I’m compromised.
I’m working for people I don’t trust.
Trevor is back.
I’m probably going to die.
You should leave.

It’s one of the rare moments when Michael is completely honest and Franklin’s response isn’t:

“You lied to me.”

It’s:

“You helped me.”

That’s the difference between a business relationship and loyalty. There’s also a brilliant contrast with Trevor. Trevor’s loyalty to Michael is emotional and obsessive. Franklin’s loyalty is much more deliberate. Trevor sees Michael as the friend who abandoned him. Franklin sees Michael as the mentor who gave him an opportunity. Both men are willing to stand beside Michael but for completely different reasons, and Michael is caught between them. That’s why Franklin’s final; “I’m with you.”, carries more weight than it initially appears to.

Michael has spent years trying to construct a life where he doesn’t need anyone. Now he’s got Trevor demanding answers, Davey demanding favours and Franklin voluntarily standing beside him. The irony is that Michael’s attempt to escape his old life has accidentally created a new family around him and perhaps that’s why this moment is so important.

Michael tells Franklin to run. Franklin essentially says; No. You helped me. I’m helping you. For all Michael’s talk about being a great thief, this is probably one of the first things he can’t manipulate, buy or steal. Someone simply chooses to stand by him…

With Grand Theft Auto VI on the horizon, I thought it was the perfect time to revisit one of the greatest games ever made. Over the days leading up to the launch of GTA VI, I’m returning to Los Santos for one last ride through the narrative.

In this new collection I’m analysing the story in the comments to tell you what I think is going on. Disagree with what I say? Get in there! My challenge is to get the whole game covered by GTAVI launch.

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