Fire Emblem: Three Houses - Perspective, Tragedy, and the Value of Connection

[@Aleczandxr]

Table of Contents: Introduction: 0:00 Rhea and the Church of Seiros: 4:22 Claude and the Golden Deer: 15:35 Edelgard and the Black Eagles: 29:10 Dimitri and the Blue Lions: 37:57 Conclusion: 58:11 Please note that a decent portion of this video involves summarizing certain lore, backstory, character and plot elements in order to provide a foundation for my arguments about the themes and ideas presented. This game has an extensive and quite complex setting and story, and it is told piece-meal across four routes, so I felt the need to summarize them for the sections in which they were relevant. Also, the main point of this video is now to have four all-encompassing character analyses for Rhea, Claude, Edelgard and Dimitri, but to go over their backgrounds, mindsets, philosophies and how they are integrative with the game's main themes of perspective and the importance of a connection and "light" like Byleth. This isn't intended to discuss every little nuance of each character, and there are undoubtedly some things I left out about each of them, simply because they wouldn't contribute to the intent of the video. So simply put: don't expect me to talk about every aspect of these characters, because that isn't the point. HAVING SAID THAT - I now realize that the main problem with this video is that I didn’t really delve into Rhea to the fullest extent. In the process of writing her part I got a bit too caught up in leaning on summarizing the lore of the game and talking about how you can be her “light” and didn’t give her quite as much sympathy as she deserved with regards to her motivations. My phrasing should’ve been more fair and elaborate to help justify her perspective. ALSO: Note that I said that Rhea created the Empire, but it’s more accurate to say that she fostered the founding of the Empire, which is what she said in the scene I provided.

[@seantobin3842]

What are your thoughts on a (byleth) lone wolf route, where the routes we've seen thus far can get a full picture at the start of where the goddess dewells, where all of sothis power is accessable so a true picture can be made without a war, where the verdent wind can trust more, where the flower and the moon can realize that they're both victims of a past from both sides has turned cancerous, where the silver snow storm is stopped before it makes land fall and ITS CORE removed before all freeze to it's brutal winter, where our main is able to protect all he or she has left to care for and can now single handedly put the dagger to the collective jugulars of those who deserve it so no one can slink away from they're crimes, and when all is said and done wether it ends in the death of the Ashen demon or a simple slumber till the day of the millennium festival both sides of time can take solace that they did they're damnedest to protect all they've come to love and played they're part as the mid point of the story.

[@aydengarcia9073]

@sean tobin umm it 4 route not 5 it no lone wolf route blc conclusion and you stll say it

[@bekimpedersenali2620]

I would like to add somethings you missed about Rhea in the holy tomb. Which is the fact that edelgard came there to steal crest Stones which we learn are the hearts of her people. Might have played a huge part in her actions and rage at edelgard after that point.

[@seantobin3842]

@@bekimpedersenali2620 yes but u must remember the assault doesn't commence till after byleth sits on the throne in my theory of what might happen the second he or she does this they go in to physical and mental shock during the info transfer emotionally forcing Rhea, the lords, and lady to they're side, after a disturbing sequence of suffering....oh boy.

[@Aleczandxr]

@Bekim Pedersen Ali I didn't miss that, I intentionally omitted it. However, in reflection, I probably should’ve been more explicit. I didn't think that it adds much to my points or changes them, and I already mentioned that the relics were made from the bodies of the children of the goddess, so I assumed the connection would be made. But yeah, I should’ve just snuck in a sentence to mention it.

[@PineappleLiar]

Fire Emblem: One Therapist

[@zaneheaston8254]

More like Fire Emblem: Three Houses, One Therapist

[@reilie9115]

I think it’s interesting to characterize Byleth as a light for Dimitri and Edelgard but not for Claude. There’s some nice visual storytelling in the fact that in the reunion cutscene with Claude, he’s already in the light while Byleth has to walk out of the darkness to meet him (which is the exact opposite for Dimitri’s cutscene). It reinforces the fact that what Claude needs isn’t “a light” or someone to pull him up, but a partner and companion with the power to help bring his dreams to fruition.

[@kijih6298]

Edelgarld isn't in need of a light either, she also just needs someone who she can trust to break the stalemate situation, because if byleth didn't come she would have still won the war with the help of cornelia and house Gloucester in the alliance, this is made proof in the amount of chapters you have to beat.

[@DevilHunter1994]

@@kijih6298 Yes she can win, but the " with the help of Cornelia" caveat to that statement is the big problem there. Yes if Byleth didn't exist she likely would have been able to win the war, but in order to do so she would have had to sell her soul completely to the devil (TWSITD) and compromise her morals for the sake of victory. Once you start down that slippery slope, it's difficult to pull yourself back. We see this in the Azure moon route where Edelgard becomes so committed to attaining absolute victory, that she's barely even tries to reach an understanding with Dimitri to avoid greater bloodshed. She becomes convinced of the fact that only she knows what is right for Fodlan and is prepared to do anything to win, including using her own people as meat shields and trap bait if need be. She's even willing to quite literally surrender her own humanity in order to increase the odds of her success. Edelgard and Dimitri are both good people who find themselves surrounded by darkness in different forms. They both need Byleth to act as a guiding light of sorts to lead them out of that darkness and into the brighter future that they hope for.

[@boredomkiller9985]

I feel like in that cutscene Claude is in a way serving as Byleth's light which is why they have to walk out to meet Claude in the light. Claude focuses mostly in comforting Byleth, offering food and companionship first and foremost and throughout the story serves more in a guiding or advisor role letting Byleth be the leader/figurehead. This is all the more clear in the final battle where Claude sets up Byleth for victory even at risk of his own well being.

[@fauzanadrian1593]

@@kijih6298 nope,edelgard wont win that war,she cant do it "alone",many ppl dont know that a lot of king/leader who win the war and become a great leader "ALWAYS" have a good advisor,guide,or maybe in this game just someone or "friend" with them,which is in this game that role is you,byleth the player

[@Birthday888]

@@fauzanadrian1593 Well, technically, if Byleth doesn't join any faction, Edelgard probably would have won eventually, but at that point she probably would've compromised so many of her moral stances that I'd see it more as TWSITD's victory and not Edelgard's.

[@Jotunn96]

Honestly the greatest praise for three houses is how a story centered on moral ambiguity has so many people divided and debating the ethics and morals of each route so fiercely

[@josiahgarber3761]

Gerald of Riveria I agree! The fact that people have discussions and debates on who is right and who is wrong is a great testament to the game’s writing!

[@derekmaullo2865]

​@@josiahgarber3761The game is boring. It's a fact. It's way more heavy story than heavy gameplay

[@easschung9442]

This game has lead to a lot of disagreements and ideological conflicts between people, and no one completely ever agrees with someone else on everything, but at least we can all agree that Claude is a good boi.

[@arnowisp6244]

I believe that's the point with the story and it would appear to have achieved that well.

[@hecktor2892]

Hmmmm debateable

[@easschung9442]

@@hecktor2892 Hmmmm Well one of the points of the game is that Claude is the goodest boy, so debate all you want but the truth stares ya in the face.

[@easschung9442]

@@yousquiddingme How so? By being lazy and napping too much? Look at him at the core of his person. He's a tremendous human being.

[@hecktor2892]

Eass Chung I like Claude, but not everyone would like him

[@MetalGearRaxis]

Just wanted to clarify something in case it wasn't explained, but Edelgard actually can't remember having known Dimitri as a child due to the traumatic events of her past (the crest experimentation happened almost directly after Thales-as-Arundel returned her to the Empire). She admits this during the Cindered Shadows mini-story during hub chapter between two chapters. This is why she says that his obsession with her is appalling in Crimson Flower; she legitimately has no idea why he's so obsessed with killing her, specifically.

[@xenokeegami]

Yes, and in the Blue Lions Route, the only moment where Edelgard remember of her childhood is when Dimitri gave her the dagger near the end of the story. She said that she has totally forgot about it, arguing by the fact that she isn't anymore the little girl she was at the time. (sorry if my English is weird)

[@grassaf4354]

She also says that in Azure Moon when she realizes it was Dimitri and calls Dimitri “my forgotten friend”

[@isauldron4337]

Honestly i think a more accurate term is repressed memories In El's godess tower scene she says that her first love was a noble from fargus

[@eternalposts680]

@@isauldron4337 often times in real life, when a child experiences something traumatic they repress the memories of that time. So you’re probably right in that regard. It comes into question, however, how she remembers what happened to her? Those memories should have been repressed as well. I would have enjoyed seeing an Edelgard who was more confused about her past, perhaps even trusting of thales and the other slithers. That way, in ss, am, and vw her push into darkness would make more sense. Repressed memories only resurface when the child feels safe, or has someone they could trust. We could see Edelguard remember her trauma and find comfort in Byleth, either in cf, or sometime in part one of the black eagles alone. Idk, just thinking about it

[@eternalposts680]

@proxima her father also called her El. She may have just been closer with some of her siblings. Im all for trans Dimitri, though. His appearance as a small child was fairly androgynous

[@zakariamohamed3202]

>Starts the video with a Lorenz quote. *I’m wet.*

[@Chairman_Miao]

the ultimate Chad quote

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

LORENZ HELLMAN GLOUCESTER

[@hecktor2892]

I hate Lorenz

[@FieryMeltman]

@@hecktor2892 You are not a man of culture.

[@easschung9442]

@@hecktor2892 Damn, you've got terrible taste looking at all of your comments.

[@jarrenraves]

The tragedy of the game really hit me when the new difficulty mode came out and I had to pick a route again. I realized that no matter what house leader I chose to support, it meant i would have to watch the lives of others end in tragedy because my choice deprived them of the support they would desperately need

[@kamdenmadan3289]

If you want to suffer the least amount of deaths, go Blue Lions. As long as you don't kill any alliance members at gronder, all Golden Deer students(except Marriane cause depression) will live. Silver Snow causes the most deaths, as if we assume it so, all but Dedue, Claude, and your students will die.

[@danishsyed1068]

@@kamdenmadan3289 that's why I feel like a dick in sliver snow I canonically upheld a system that harmed my students was the cause of multiple wars lead to death innocents and then put people for responsible said system on top with no reforms no matter how much I like the church characters I can't side with them it makes me sick to the core .

[@sakutaro3musik486]

@@danishsyed1068 you didn´t read the books in the librory, the chruch is critical towords the nobility and how they see crests, but they aren´t in power to stop them from abusing it. It´s not like you might think that the crest system is forced by the chruch, quite the opposite

[@Jotunn96]

@@sakutaro3musik486 While I'm not disagreeing necessarily it is made very clear in VW that Seteth removes books from the library that portray the church differently from how they want to be portrayed.

[@TheGoldenDunsparce]

Golden Deer has the best ending imo, except for that they screwed Dimitri over by having him die like a goddamn dog in the middle of the battlefield chasing after El into exhuastion and getting killed by some shitty no-name knight offscreen. I was legitimately angry when that happened, especially with everyone going, "lol he was nuts! XD" when talking about his pathetic demise...

[@firepuppies4086]

So basically... Rhea: I want my mom back. Rhea (if you go against her): Give me my mommy back! Rhea (if you just side with her) : I can accept not having my mom back. Rhea (s support): I suppose I am fine with being the mommy.

[@dowbailey6033]

Fire puppies accurate

[@lisannawilfhelm5819]

@@dowbailey6033 have the 69th like, you deserve it

[@charliezhang3050]

lisanna wilfhelm I unliked and liked again, and therefore I am now the 69th like >:)

[@dowbailey6033]

lisanna wilfhelm thank you

[@firepuppies4086]

@farrens_ak or would grow tfs reference fit...

[@baggyyy]

Claude: "You can wield the sword of the creator, you're a tactical genius, and you have this strange ability to earn the trust of anyone you cross paths with." Byleth: *laughs in protagonist*

[@neonblast1239]

To start the video off with a quote from Lorenz is a power move to be sure

[@arikabrandon7172]

I always wondered why there wasn't such a heavy emphasis on Edelgard's and Dimitri's relationship in BE but if you recall the conversation that Edelgard, Dimitri, Byleth and Hubert have right before the attack on the Empire in the BL route, it's revealed that Edelgard forgot that Dimitri was the boy that she stayed with for all those years which makes sense if you realise Edelgard was tortured shortly after her time in Faerghus

[@KingIshimaru]

It is apparently a realistic symptom of trauma like Edelgard endured that huge chunks of her life surrounding the trauma would fade from memory. One of the things I liked a lot about 3H was that all four of the leads Byleth can side with are carrying around a lot of trauma but it manifests in very different ways for all of them. Of course, it's a major knife in the heart to realize that if things are consistent between Azure Moon and Crimson Flower, Edelgard's memories of who Dimitri was to her come back into focus when he calls her "El." Which in Azure Moon happens moments after they realize neither of them can back down and they're going to fight to the death for their principles, and in Crimson Flower happens as Dimitri's bleeding out at her feet.

[@lukestarford7608]

( I know I’m 2 month late but. ) ( also I agree with your point.) I think the reason why she stays separate from Dimitri as much as possible during the school period is that she know what she has done in a sense and she can’t bare to go near him. She know that by her existence she has indirectly caused the tragedy of Duscur with her being the reason behind her mother causing the tragedy. She indirectly cause Dimitri a lot of pain and suffering. As a result she tries to make amend by fixing Fólden. But by doing so. She volunteers to become flame emperor. The idea that Dimitri believes caused the Tragedy of Duscur. Everything Edelgard does will cause or end up cause Dimitri a lot of pain and suffering. And she hates that. Because Dimitri see her as his last family member. While Edelgard just can’t due to what has happened.

[@gryranfelt5473]

In the DLC you get a conversation where Dimitri asks Edelgard if she always had that hair color, and she says "that is a weird question, but no, it wasn't always this color." It's an interesting touch, and I wonder what would've happened if Dimitri had revealed early in their time at Garreg Mach that he was her childhood friend. Would Edelgard have tried to get him to her side like she did with Byleth?

[@maxrichards3881]

Gry Ranfelt No. Dimitri’s beliefs don’t line up with Edelgard’s at all. That was the point of the conversation outside Enbarr in AM.

[@albertocruzado2899]

@@gryranfelt5473 Probably she would have seek that belonging she desired in Byleth with him also. After all they are both deeply hurt and changed by the same people, and they could actually understand each other better than anyone else, they are related (lost family is a thing for both of them) and Dimitri position is not so far away from a moderate Edelgard's. It is mostly Edelgard alliances and modus operandis what make Dimitri go against her, to a point (5 years later) were their positions have gone to separated to ever come together and they just had to kill the other because they have become nemesis.

[@glorioustigereye]

Blue Lions: Characters Golden Deer: Setting Black Eagle: Themes Each Path is a major part of story telling. I played the Black Eagle route and I love my team.

[@lorddragonskin3603]

You put it that way. But it's actually quite accurate

[@Sakaki98]

What is the Church of Seiros? Plot? The list must be completed lol

[@popkhorne5372]

Black eagles has equally great characters and BL has equally good themes.

[@Jotunn96]

@@Sakaki98 I'd say it's lore

[@Sakaki98]

Gerald of Riveria 👌

[@HxH2011DRA]

"I can't promise it'll be a masterpiece tho" >releases hour long video on 1 of the best games to come out this year You cheeky bastard

[@luminousvortex630]

Considering you think this is one of the best games to come out this year, what do you think is so good about it. I think its one of the worst games ive ever played so im interested to hear what people like about the game.

[@rosastoken]

@@luminousvortex630 deep and nuanced story, lovely cast of characters, complex but easy to grasp gameplay, good artstyle, pretty much infinite replayability, the voice acting is amazing, heart-wrenching but also comedic moments. i don't really know how the game can be one of the worst games you've ever played, unless you are just not into tactical rpgs

[@luminousvortex630]

@@rosastoken Thanks for your reply and i do agree with some things. I enjoyed the characters a lot, they are the best part of the game, especially their interactions with one another when you get their support up. But i just think the permadeath doesnt work in this game when byleth and the house leader cant die. When you lose characters there isnt any consequence because the game is so easy. When you lose a character it just makes the game more boring because you dont get to see their entertaning support cut scenes. Environments are lazy and boring to look at aswell.

[@luminousvortex630]

@@michaelyu6250 i honestly didnt watch the video because its an hour long. I'm not interested in watching a hour long video on a game i dont like. I saw the video and thought why do people like this game so much so i went to the comments to find out why people like it so much. What do you think are the best and worst parts of the game?

[@luminousvortex630]

@xikarra i got smash last year and found out what fire emblem was through that game. Since it was so popular i decided to get limited edition fire emblem three houses ( the artbook that came with it was so terrible i couldnt believe what i was looking at) . The start of the game had red flags for one your dialog choices didnt matter( not all of them but some) i hate it when games do that. But i decided to power through since i spent so much on the game. I have 65 hours on the game, i expressed some of my opinions in a previous comment. Read it if you like or not.

[@easschung9442]

My heart breaks for Dimitri.

[@Tim7318-3]

Out of all the lords, he definitely needs Byleth the most. Edelgard will always continue with her revolutionary ways towards the future with or without Byleth (what mostly changes is her methods) and Claude is Claude (even when he struggles he finds a way cause he's a cunning boi), Dimitri on the other hand will always fall, whether it's from war or madness, unless Byleth's there to help guide him forward.

[@dddmemaybe]

@@chihiro2471 Yea Rhea's route sounds fucked as hell, but she can't find happiness without Byleth either. Actually, none of 4-route characters can. Claude finds a way to continue without Byleth(still deals with it better than the rest), but he is still tortured and has no one he can trust with no Byleth tagteam. Edelgard breaks just the same as Dimitri does without Byleth, but she remains "on-route"(badum-tish) to her goal because she is more capable of withstanding the mental suffering that Dimitri can't shoulder. They both suffer it's just that Edelgard is convinced she is "in the right" while Dimitri cannot accept, nor live with the weight of his self-prescribed sins. And he self-destructs.. But so does Edelgard. Imo, it's Edelgard and Dimitri who literally need Byleth while Rhea and Claude can survive through their hardships.

[@wildfire9280]

⁠@@dddmemaybe “You WILL learn resilience, and suffering will be your teacher!” -the writers, probably

[@drakeford4860]

"Everyone has something unacceptable in them." Blue Lions was my first route, and that line both cemented Dimitri as my favorite of the Lords (even after completing the other 3 routes) and hit me like a freight train. At it's core I think the Blue Lions route is about reconciling- reconciling with the past, the present, the future, the people around you, and even yourself. This is why I found the route so incredibly poignant. It takes that ideal and shows it at both its best and its worst, and even the contradictions within it, all while still vouching for the heart of the principle. There are perspectives which, right and wrong and good and bad aside, are simply irreconcilable, and that in itself is something we have to reconcile with as we continue moving forward. It's a story about acceptance and acquiescence and the line and relationship between the two, and it has frankly had more impact on my own perspective than any I've experienced in quite a long time.

[@thedeepfriar745]

What I love about Azure Moon is that it is distinctly Dimitri’s story, it’s his rise, fall and redemption.

[@darklight6921]

i am ferdinand von aegir

[@Tatsukoi.muffin]

No, I am ferdinand von aegir

[@Bung-ms9jc]

No, _I_ am Ferdinand von Aegir

[@InquisitorThomas]

He’s Ferdinand von Aegir.

[@silliestquill6803]

No, I am Ferdinand Von Aegir!

[@ubercow6611]

We are Ferdinand Von Aegir

[@meafius]

It kinda blows my mind that we got this incredible epic of a story only a few years after Fates. It's just such a night and day difference, and frankly I don't think any other game in the series matches Three Houses in terms of strory (though Genealogy of the Holy War could if it gets a good remake that fleshes out it's mostly basic cast).

[@geenobe9941]

Hard disagree, While good, Three houses leaves a lot of things either poorly explained, or poorly executed (TWISTD, Full explanation of Duscur, and Insurrection of the 7 are some to name) while games like fe4 has a very well told story, or FE9 with it's simple yet fufilling story. Still way better than fates though.

[@sock312]

Geenobe Duscur and TWSITD are explained you just need to play more than one route lmao

[@conradkorbol]

Geenobe not everything in a story needs to be explained. In fact, the very desire for more means the story was amazing. If a story leaves you fully satisfied then it has no value outside of a fairy tale for children. A good story will always leave you wanting more and always leave with questions. Now just because your criticism is lacking any depth doesn’t mean I disagree with you. The story is engaging, but like all fire emblem games does far too much telling. It does very little showing. That’s a huge problem.

[@Aleczandxr]

How was Duscur poorly explained? Everything needed to know about it for the narrative was delved into and substantiated. They could have gone into extraneous detail I suppose, but it's not like it was needed. I also don't understand what more you'd want from Those Who Slither. If more depth and characterization is what you're looking for then I get it but disagree due to the vast amount of subtlety and nuance that went into the storytelling basically everywhere else. I agree about the Insurrection though, that deserved a bit more emphasis.

[@sock312]

Aleczandxr I actually kinda forgot about the Issurection of the 7

[@lancejburns]

I feel like Rhea/Seiros is one of the most misunderstood characters in the game. She was the youngest of the children of Sothis, and only a child when the agarthans declared themselves gods and started their war, when Sothis gave her life essentially to heal the land after that war. Because of her age, she was already somewhat isolated from the rest of her people, and after the tragedy at the red canyon, she was left with only the members of her own kind she barely even knew, all of them being hermits that survived simply because they weren't at Zanado.

[@Aleczandxr]

Yes, as I mentioned in the pinned comment, my mistake with this video was not doing Rhea justice properly. It’s unfortunate.

[@lancejburns]

@@Aleczandxr Actually I'd say your video got it better than most in the community.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks! I still should’ve elaborated a bit more on her specific frame of mind, though.

[@KaiSaeren]

@@Aleczandxr Seriously, she doesnt deserve any hate for trying her best for 1000+ years after losing everything, she deserves a long vacation at worst.

[@stopannoyingme601]

Damn I want to see smol Rhea:( I hope we get a DLC about the nabateans and the past.

[@sonlen796]

When you talked about how the good man Dimitri was is still in there even though he's fallen hard, I thought of my favorite Dimitri support route with another student, that being Marianne. It's beautiful to me how Dimitri before the timeskip encourages Marianne to not desire death and how valuable she is, and after the timeskip their roles switch. Byleth helps Dimitri look up towards the light again, but Marianne can relate to Dimitri because even though she hasn't killed nearly as many people, she still understands feeling like you don't deserve to live. You see the noble protector side of Dimitri come back in their A support, and it's great to see how it's not just Byleth's relationships with the lords that are fundamental to understanding their personalities.

[@maxrichards3881]

Benjamin Rogers Yeah, Marianne is Dimitri’s best support partner if we don’t count F!Byleth.

[@bellamango6708]

Dimitri hit so close to home he shot up to my favorite character from.... probably any media. I love him so much. People deserve a chance to heal and find love and move on and the nuanced writing really sold it all for me ;-; as a long time FE fan I literally was not expecting any of it at all and I'm just blown away.

[@ForrestFox626]

I think you just summarize why Dimitri is my favorite Lord as a person. He has had a hard life and still tries to be compassionate and fair during the academy phase. Which makes his broken self after the five year time skip (no matter the route) all the more depressing. Sure his idealism is difficult to try live up to both his own world and our world. However, I honest think we need more people like that in this day and age.

[@PlayerN101]

Dimitri is my least favorite lord, never got into him and his edgy phase made me wanna quit AM for a bit. But I can still understand and respect his decisions. Cool guy, but not my type of guy

[@user-xw1yh2py4j]

If Edelgard is not heartless, then how can you explain her destroying Flayn's house with TnT?

[@Ana-lj9jb]

3.14159265358979323846 26433832795028841 The crests are to blame

[@wyldhorn2277]

@@Ana-lj9jb you mad lad you actually typed out that username

[@Samm815]

@@wyldhorn2277 No that's mobile.

[@EriaAri]

@@Samm815 No its not

[@SpeedDemonPowerage98]

3.14159265358979323846 26433832795028841 that’s a meme you dummy.

[@TheAutistWhisperer]

First Fire Emblem game I've ever played, I can see why it's a big deal.

[@maibignutt6434]

it's definitely one of my favorite FE game!

[@abigailsolomon4148]

same here, i'm interested in checking out some other games in the series now, might try awakening next :)

[@revolvingworld2676]

Its also my first FE game

[@kamdenmadan3289]

@@abigailsolomon4148 If you prefer story over game play, I'd recommend Geneology of the holy war and thracia 776. If you prefer game play, i'd recommend Awakening and conquest.

[@abigailsolomon4148]

@@kamdenmadan3289 thanks! I was actually thinking about checking out genealogy since its the main inspiration for three houses, and while I like a game to be fun to play, I do really appreciate a good storyline and character development in my JRPGs.

[@contemptman3646]

Your hands.. have they always been this warm?

[@ForrestFox626]

That scene broken my heart. 😭💔

[@totallynotafanficreader7850]

Yes I cried, AND I FEEL NO SHAME

[@codastral5838]

I just finished replaying that scene and seeing this comment after beating Azure Moon again reassured me that this is definitely one of the best scenes in the game.

[@inesatt1313]

@@totallynotafanficreader7850 It's okay there is no shame un crying at all😌

[@tuskoub]

As a long time fan of Fire Emblem, I was so utterly shocked at how after 7 years of fumbling around with largely story and, kinda gameplay, they managed to pull it back together and make one of, if not THE, best fire emblem games period.

[@Bleeperblopper497]

"Kinda gameplay"?

[@nickelakon5369]

@@Bleeperblopper497 probably meant to put "Kinda meh gameplay"

[@iamlordapollo]

the best and scariest part about Dimitri is how relatable his thought process is. Even though his path gets darker and darker, you root for him all the way til his end lol. the freak out scene was believable and harsh.

[@giantheccinwyvern]

Is this some kind of twisted *JOKE?*

[@NeilAumaster]

You were supposed to root for him?

[@TricksPodigy]

@@NeilAumaster yes u root for him because hes the goat duh

[@NeilAumaster]

@@TricksPodigy i know it was a joke about how murderous he became

[@sixeyes7413]

I really do love Three Houses, but I wish there was a better name for “Those who slither in the dark”. It’s cheesy, but I kinda like that about it.

[@HollowGolem]

The Agarthans. It's just that Hubert doesn't know the ancient name for their civilization.

[@mazokuwolf1279]

They do have a name, they are the Agarthians remember? Just like how Voldemort is called "the one who should not be named".

[@Garden0flowr]

For convenience, I call them the dark slitherers, but for accuracy I call them the agarthans

[@colorbenja6163]

I usually just call them Agarthans or Slitherers

[@sunkeyavad6528]

They're actually called nightcrawlers in the orignial japanese. It is also correctly translated to "Schattenschleicher" in the german version of the game. "Those who slither in the dark" is a strange thing that only happens in the english version. I suspect it's some copyright problem and they had to avoid the original name.

[@windpoopie]

7:50 I honestly think the lie was more to safeguard the children of goddess than anything else. The relics and crests were created by killing and desecrating rhea's brethren, and by the end of the war with nemesis, there were only 5 of them left as far as we know. Not to mention TWSID. This is also why seteth becomes almost hysterical after flayn gets kidnapped in part 1. It's a horrific callback to what happened to his kin.

[@Aleczandxr]

That goes hand-in-hand with perpetuating their dogma, no? I think the game makes it clear that it’s a case of both.

[@windpoopie]

@@Aleczandxr I see your point. But when you followed the statement with the bit about hierarchy created by crests, I got an impression that you were saying she only wanted to further political agenda/religious doctrine to solidify the church's authority when there was a layer of a tragic sentimentality underneath it. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Anyway, this was a great watch. I loved your analysis of Claude the most. Really spot on.

[@b.3432]

Also, that dogma they perpetuate exists, in part, to protect the people of Fodlan as well. Rhea and the few surviving Children are essentially letting humanity keep the power that was stolen from them, literally letting them wave bits of their dead brother and sisters, so long as they promise to behave and not go against the teachings of the Goddess. There is both generosity and entitlement in their attitude towards humans.

[@azurethescaletipper210]

The dogma perpetuated will be the one to prevent another Red Canyon Tragedy.

[@ApexGale]

What I love about Edelgard is just how much the butterfly effect is conveyed with this one character. If you opt not to help her, she closes off her heart completely. She becomes a ruthless empress intent to conquer all and absolutely destroy anyone in her path with no qualms or empathy. But the one action you choose in the crypt changes everything. Edelgard did not expect Byleth to side with her. In every single situation, Byleth should try to kill her. They have absolutely nothing to gain and everything to lose by siding with her. The Church turns on them, they become one of the biggest enemies there. But in that instant, Byleth's choice to believe in Edelgard purely because they care about her shakes her to the core. When you next see her, she cries tears of joy over Byleth's reappearance. Her moves are less brutal and cruel, and she has opened up more to her fellow classmates. The Agarthans do not dominate every choice that Adrestia makes, and as such she tries to win the war while minimizing casualties. The Agarthans do not seize Faerghus, and Dimitri is not driven out. He does not lose himself with madness, and instead goes down as a noble king who harbored the Archbishop and tried his best to fend off Adrestia. Claude can be spared, which will ultimately lead to peace between Fodlan and Almyra as he is the next in line. Edelgard's willingness to show empathy pays off in the end, as she mentions that she wanted to create a treaty with the nation. Who better to help create ties than Claude? All because Byleth reached for her hand.

[@moonlight2870]

Emperor, not empress

[@Avengedtenfold]

I think there are two weak moments in not-punished Edelgarde as it was in Crimson Flower but ultimately I agree. The first being is that while yes, you can spare Claude...you can also kill him. The game treats each choice as valid and lets the player choose. I have big problems with this because I really can't see why Edelgarde or Byleth would kill him for the listed reasons above but it is a moment where ruthless Edelgarde who crushes all potential sedition comes back in Crimson Flower. A more damning moment that I think just didn't get enough thought put into it; After Arianhod is destroyed by Those Who Slither, Edelgarde has The Church shoulder the blame for the destruction of the town. She did it for what she thought were good reasons; Hubert and Edelgarde were close to finding the hideout of Those Who Slither and she did not wish for them to know that she was ultimately planning to destroy them in her perfect world. However, the fact remains that she lied and let her enemies take the fall for an action of needless destruction they did not commit all because it benefited her. You want to know why I hate this moment? When Rhea was forming the church, she lied about the origins of Crests and Crest Weapons. She told the people they were blessings from the goddess, gifts when in reality they were the blood and bones of her people. Taken from them by force. She did it for what she thought were good reasons; Telling the truth would make herself and all of her living family targets for the rest of time. As a nice bonus, her recently killed mother would also remain venerated for as long as The Church lived on. However, the fact remains that she lied and the consequences of her lie were both great and terrible. Fodlan would prize the crests and the land would grow strong and united at the cost of the formation of class system build around the blessing of the goddess. If Edelgarde is going to make mistakes in the same vein as Rhea, is her world order really so important to establish at the cost of so many lives? Three Houses ties a bow on each of the endings but especially in a universe where she choose to kill Claude, what does Fodlan look like one hundred years in the future long after both Edelgarde and Byleth are gone?

[@bobby31723]

She still ally with evil incarnate , start a continental war as a first action and kill millions just because the world doesn't spin the way she want it to . Not to mention that her new system is as flawed and suceptible to corruption as the noble system. She shed the blood of millions and fix nothing .

[@Battlesthegolden]

bobby31723 the world of Fodlan is fundamentally broken. People are literally judged on whether or not you have magic blood and the Church condones this through its inaction. Also the nobility in any time or place are shit. Yes meritocracy is a meme but it’s better than feudalism.

[@fauzanadrian1593]

@@bobby31723 u watch too much disney dude,she still ally with evil,ally? more like forced to "act" as an ally because she has no choice,now answer the very easy question that will answer everything that can back edelgard up,who is edelgard "friend" from back then in her past? hubert? her "butler"? nope,she has no friend,no one literally on her side,no one help her,no one understand her EXCEPT her father who is basically a "puppet" who cant do anything,just to remind u,its like this,edelgard after get tortured with that experiment>became traumatized and broken>want to get revenge and change the system>get rid of the main enemy "by joining them",yeah,JOINING THEM,why? like i said,after that experiment,who is edelgard friend,who is on her side that help her? her mother? gone,father same,she got nothing literally inside the lion cage,the only way out is to act as their "ally",heck ur role as byleth in her route is basically as her "friend" that want to "understand" her,be with her,help her with her journey,decision etc,thats the whole point of ur role in her route.

[@troyharrison9923]

There is a lot of things I could say, I agreed with a lot, disagreed with a few significant bits, but I think overall I can really vibe with that one line “It is a sad story, but not a story without heart.” It is amazing how a story with so much death feels so life-affirming. That the lives of each of the main characters is really worth something, and that the world is less without them. Whatever route you pick, you will be killing someone who could have been a friend, someone who could have made the world a better place. It really hurts, because it is not something we can just imagine, we can see the alternate path where things went right alongside the path where things went wrong for each character. The story of FE3H is a beautiful tragedy among the Fire Emblem games and part of me hopes the next game is very different because I am hurting a lot from all of this emotion, but part of me hopes the next game takes lots of notes because I also felt a lot of joy while experiencing it. At the very least, come what may, this game did not disappoint.

[@HollowGolem]

Yeah, this game was emotionally taxing. Once you've done a route once, the routes where you have to kill your babies are so rough.

[@wordsoflove8787]

My only hope is this game will set the bar for future FE titles in terms of story depth and characters, Fates and Awakening were in my opinion leading the series down a terrible and mediocre direction, 3H shows the absolute potential of how amazing FE can actually be and really cleaned up the image the series had garnered over years.

[@violetraven8323]

I’m a glutton for tragedy and fictional angst, now I don’t want a Three Houses copycat for the next Fire Emblem. But wish for the series to continue down this path of such humanly tortured, and doomed characters. Ones whose actions have very real weight under them, and all there deaths are triumphant and equal parts sad. It’s epic like Fire Emblem always should be, but so down to earth that no one is right. And sometimes all you can do is put down those you love, knowing they’ve gone to far. I pity Edelgard, Rhea, Dimitri, and Claude- all they wanted was something better for themselves. To make sense of all the cruelty and unfairness in the world. I’m sorry, you four- you all deserved better.

[@jameswest6232]

The shear number of mature, difficult topics this game presents (personal trauma, mental health, societal ills, religious fanaticism, abuse, etc.) and STILL manages to convey them all in understandable, human ways is just awe-inspiring to me. Especially when you consider that this is a stinkin' Nintendo game! - I agree that this game and its stories are very life-affirming and I think that's because there is so much death in it. Barring the Agartians, every life is given weight and their death, whether quick like Edelgard's or drawn out to Shakespearean degrees like Jeralt and Rodrigue's, feels like the tragedy it is. That this didn't need to happen. That it likely wouldn't have happened if circumstances had been even a little bit different. It makes you glad when the credit roll and you see that your party was able to make it through, survive, and live... some for the first time. - I'd love for Nintendo to make the next game something as grounded and mature as this

[@TheGoldenDunsparce]

"I wonder which is best... To cut away that which is unacceptable, or to find a way to accept it anyway..." For some reason, this quote made me cry when he first said it. As someone who struggled with depression and trauma for years, and had went through a period of extreme self-loathing as well, even though Dimitri's situation is over-the-top and dramatisized with ghosty voices and being unable to taste or sleep, I totally resonate with him and his situation. He's such a good boi who didn't deserve to live in a world and time period like the one he ended up in...

[@l.n.3372]

I agree, it's one of Dimitri's best quotes. It fully parallels real world trauma that people share, and how they aren't the same person afterwards. Is it better to try to cut away the "trauma and pain" or to accept that you're different now and can still be whole again in a new way? And as Dimitri teaches us, you CAN still become whole again even after surviving trauma.

[@sunkeyavad6528]

*Fun fact:* Those who slither in the dark are only named so strangely in the english version. They're called nightcrawlers in the orignial japanese. It is also correctly translated to "Schattenschleicher" in the german version of the game. Speculation: Maybe there was some copyright problem and they had to avoid the original name.

[@abigailsolomon4148]

Thank you for making this video but especially for pointing out the irony of Dimitri's desire to see Edelgard carving her own path leading to her doing just that and the two of them becoming enemies. I'm sure other people picked up on that too, but you're the first person I've seen to make that connection explicitly. It really is tragic though that no matter what, there's no realistic way to see either of them co-existing and coming to accept each other. That is made apparent in their respective routes, even though Dimitri does tries at the end of his route. Makes me pretty sad to be honest. Edit: I wrote this comment around the 49 minute mark, so now i see that you also find it really sad. Yeah, they are just fundamentally different as people. Also appreciate how you added that is close to how real life works. This video is just amazing and you did the main characters justice here.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks very much! Their dynamic is extremely interesting and it's nice that you agreed! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@golfer435]

Technically Edelgard does try at the end of her route as well. If you kill Dedue, you get a scene of El finally killing Dimitri amd expressing a desire to not kill him. She also opens the fight pleading with him to retreat and save himself.

[@abigailsolomon4148]

@@golfer435 I guess so, albeit in different circumstances where it's more of a request to surrender while in a battlefield instead of two leaders meeting to discuss the possibility of a cease fire. She does give him that chance, but given his personality and the knight culture of Faerghus, it was extrememly unlikely to work, especially under the circumstances of a surrender.

[@ForrestFox626]

It is really depressing. In a world where the crest system didn't exist, maybe things could of been different.

[@tomasgarcia7499]

It’s really magnified in Dimitri’s talk with her at the end where she says something to the likes of “The girl you knew long ago is dead.”

[@TheAnimeDude]

I haven’t even played this game yet, but even I can tell how much passion was put into this video. Great job my guy.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks man! :)

[@b.3432]

👍👌MASTERFUL, I have but one thing to add to 47:04 "apart from the rare times when he reverts to his wild boar persona". It's not that he doesn't feel pain when taking lives if he's pissed off enough. It's that he feels even worse when he can't help but enjoy taking his anger out on others. Those two sides of him have always coexisted since the start. His fallable, emotional human side, who was desensitised to violence because of his trauma and can't help but feel angry and resentful toward those responsible for it; and his impossibly high idealism, which makes him feel a crippling amount of guilt over his actions when he can't or won't rein in his violent instincts. And it's those two sides combined that spin him down a vicious cycle of violence and self-loathing he can't get out of on his own. I think that's one of the most unique traits of his character. He's a person who displays undeniably sociopathic tendencies, and yet is still very much governed by a strong moral compass (strong enough to destroy him when he takes his own noble ideals too far) and who isn't stripped of his humanity in the slightest by the writers.

[@surfingpikachu8028]

This was such an eye opener. I played through all four different routes and I struggled so much to like edelgard. I dislike her more than rhea and I think now I know why. I do recognize that she is a well written character just like the others. It's just that her methods of reaching her ideals are the complete opposite of what I personally believe in. In my opinion the ends cannot justify the means. Especially if it involves killing people. The game is really just about exploring different political mindsets. And I just happen to agree more with Claude's and Dimitri's beliefs even though none of them are perfect. I can still appreciate edelgard as an excellent villain though. I just couldn't enjoy her route for the reasons I mentioned.

[@TheSwordsman100]

I'm of a similar mindset, except I like Rhea instead of disliking her. There seems to be a common misconception behind most people I come across's dislike of her, (including this video) that she created and supports the nobility when in reality if you check out the library the church just perpetuates the use of crests as weapons and is against and critical of the nobility system. However out of the four my mindset lines up with the most with Dimitri and if you mange to recruit everyone from the the Black Eagles and Lorenz from Yellow Deer (Most Yellow Deer members can just be avoided with effort) its the route with the least bloodshed.

[@golfer435]

She is not a villain, she is an antihero. A hero who does bad things for the right reasons. Either way, point still stands, she is an amazing character

[@TheSwordsman100]

@@golfer435 Edelgard is only a antihero in her own route, everywhere else she is a antivillain.

[@KaiSaeren]

@@TheSwordsman100 Agreed with you. I do not get the hate for Rhea either. People judge her on actions of other people. She isnt flawless, in fact as years go by she gets more and more flawed because being over a thousand years old, does take its toll. On top of that, using her dragon form slowly drives her insane. All she wanted and whatever she does, she does for the goal of protecting the world her mother loved, protected and died for. This is her role and whether you agree with the social systems put in place, you cant argue that she is successful, Fodlan has been in relative peace for a long time, since she stepped into the role and created the church (1000+ years) only two big wars were fought, thats far better than what we "civilized" people did in real life. Noble system isnt her fault, its a natural evolution that happens in just about every medieval-magical settings, people with money and strength acumulate power, whatever the name of their role, there are always such people. And crests as they are are not evil, nor is their use, this world is ravaged by many conflicts and these the Sacred weapons offer a huge advantage to those who can use it, it makes sense they are highly valued, but once again, its not her fault that noblese assigned them value outside of combat as well, the church outwardly opposes to it, even if inwardly Rhea might not care. She just wants Crests to be venerated, because they are the remains of her dead brethren, she cant do anything for them but at the very least she wants them remembered in this way. She isnt a bad person and Church in this game certainly isnt an evil organization, the church is decidedly a force for good, that is seen everywhere throghout the game, Rhea is just old and set in her ways and regardless of Edelgard's intervention, the coming of Byleth would eventually mean she could retire, her mother would not be coming back in a way she wanted, but her dream would still be at least partially fulfiled. Just imagine it from her point of view for a bit, for over a thousand years she is doing her best to keep the world from falling apart, its a tremendous responsibility for even one monarch to care for her country, but she cares for the entire continent, on nothing less than godesses mission, she has lost all of her people, her mother and her civilization and still has the strength to try and do the right thing by the world her mother loved. She doesnt deserve hatred or scorn, just a really long vacation.

[@KaiSaeren]

Same here, from the marketing I liked her best, played her route first but even tho I initialy liked her well enough, the moment she was revealed to be the Flame Emperror in the tomb I was going to go against her, had I not decided to do her route already. Even in her route, so little is explained about her involvment with the death of Geralt, why she works with the TWSITD or why would she ever go against church first when she knows TWSITD are literal monster hell bend on killing all people and have freaking bombs.... As much as I tried, I simply couldnt see things from her perspective, even if explanation might have helped, she is well written but flawed. I like the name of this video because it shows exactly what Edelgard is, or lacks anyways, perspective. You cant blame her being how she is, knowing how she grew up, as much as I cant understand her, I can understand why she simply doesnt know any better. In words of Bernie and Byleth: "Why would Edelgard do this?" "She seems to think force is the only way" -paraphrasing.

[@itzyaboiwookie6827]

Whoever doesn't watch the video until you hear the "Many thanks for watching", is a monster.

[@Chairman_Miao]

Can't wait to watch this when I get back home! For now here are my ruminations on the game: I really like the structure of this game--multiple story routes that explore the ideologies of each main character (even if I felt like they got too ambitious for their own good and had to cut corners). If you were to place the four main characters on a political spectrum, I think it would look something like this: Edelgard: *revolutionary* Claude: *radical reformer* Dimitri: *moderate reformer* Rhea: *conservative* (who wants to preserve the status quo until her mother is revived and takes over) I REALLY appreciate the absence of a "canon route" or "true ending" in this game. It feels like meta-commentary on how there is no universally agreed upon method to solve complex social issues, whether it's in Fodlan or in our own world; it's up to each of us to decide what the best path forward is. Not surprisingly, Edelgard and Rhea are the two most polarizing characters in this game. On a side note, I just love how out of these four, the guy introduced as a schemer with the smile of a sociopath is the one who ends up doing the fewest morally questionable things in the story. In all seriousness though, Claude is such an interesting twist on the "neutral political opportunist" archetype in Fire Emblem. Unlike say Travant or Naesala (pragmatic nationalists in an unforgiving geopoltical situation who put the survival and well-being of their own nation above everything else), the real Claude underneath the mask is an idealist with a globalist perspective who doesn't have a strong attachment to the nation he leads. In fact, I am REALLY curious as to what Claude would have done had Edelgard never started her war. The war created a convenient power vacuum for Claude to plant his allies in Fodlan and enact his reforms without ever needing to dirty his hands. Edit: 23:10 This is such an important message from this game, especially under the current political climate in our world. 30:27 Her shortened lifespan is actually confirmed by the game in the Edelgard/Lysithea paired ending. Excellent video as always, Alec! This is a very important game for me personally, and I really appreciate you putting in so much effort in this analysis.

[@kamdenmadan3289]

I guess he would first unify the alliance through his relations with the other nobles in the Golden Deer. He would than focus on easing relations with Almyra and introduce Almyran culture to Leicester. He would than hand the alliance over to Lorenz and go back to Almyra to become king.

[@HollowGolem]

Wouldn't it be a hell of a twist if Claude was planning on invading Fodlan with the Almyran army? Then Edelgard does her thing, and he breathes a sigh of relief. "Oh, now I can bring in the Almyran army and it's LIBERATING Ft. Merceus, not conquering it! Sweet!"

[@AlleywayAcademic]

I love that you're not afraid to post long, very thought-out content. I really appreciate your videos and thoughts, thanks.

[@brentramsten249]

1:00:20 "dont lose sight of why you do things in the process of doing them". i feel many problems would simply cease to exist if everyone started doing that

[@guildmaster3356]

Blessed day when there’s a video by alecxander about my favorite game series hell yeah

[@thereisonlydespair6361]

I typically don't watch hour long KZbin videos but I gave this one a chance because of the way you speak about certain topics and the way you are able to talk about details/ information while having us the viewer understand. And I'm extremely glad I watched this amazing video. The way you are able to tell us the viewer about every house in the game problems and "leaders" struggles is amazing. I thank you for your hard work in making this video and I hope you will make some side videos about some of the other characters, have a good day, hope you enjoyed making this.

[@Aleczandxr]

Well thanks very much for the kind words! I'm so glad that you enjoyed. I won't be making any other FE3H videos, but I'm definitely glad I did this one and I did indeed have a great time making it :)

[@TheFoochy]

I see a lot of Black Swordsman Guts in Dimitri. Physically, both have freakish strength, are missing the same eye, and lost their sense of taste. Emotionally, both were driven by an insatiable lust for revenge that caused them to live hermetic lives while assassinating targets as brutally as possible. They were both deeply hurt by someone close to them, and lost sight of what's truly important: carrying out their responsibilities to the living (protecting Casca, or the Faerghus Kingdom). Dimitri is characterized as a wild boar, and Guts as a mad dog. Guts just happens to embody this characterization more literally. Interestingly enough, there is a legend of a Welsh king named Bladud (or Blaiddyd) whose name means "wolf lord". After being cast out for Leprosy, he was only able to find company in a herd of pigs who helped him discover a miraculous hot spring that cured him and his pigs of leprosy, and he then founded Bath, and returned to his homeland as the 9th king of the Britons.

[@Chairman_Miao]

Now that "boar prince" monicker makes even more sense

[@darknesswave100]

Wow that's a very interesting story. I'm gonna have to look into that. I always love stories like that one

[@b.3432]

Holy shit that was definitely intentional

[@conradkorbol]

Except here is why Dimitri isn’t a hero and guts is. They have many similarities I agree. Except guts is rarely fighting for revenge. Throughout the story he is always fighting for others. He fights for Griffith and then fights to save his wife and then fights for his friends and the world. Guts is not a leader. He doesn’t want to be kind. He is a fighter willing to sacrifice himself. Dimitri is not a good leader, he is willing to lead his men to certain death for his own revenge, any kind of rage makes him forget all responsibility, and he only learns his lesson after he lets his followers die for his revenge. Everyone around Dimitri coddles him and forgives him. guys doesn’t have this. Your story of the possible inspiration is interesting, but Guts is a far more complex character and a far more sympathetic one.

[@TheFoochy]

@@conradkorbol Guts is no hero either. He's no paragon of virtue. Him fighting with his friends in the Band of the Hawk hardly qualifies as heroic when the reason they're all fighting is just to serve a guy's selfish ambition. They aren't fighting to end an unjust war, or fight for peace or anything. Griffith is just playing the war game to climb the social ladder to marry into the throne. Griffith stacks innumerable bodies for no justifiable reason, and Guts just gets caught up in his charisma. Also he was kinda conscripted into fighting under the threat of death, so there's that. Then there's the abject atrocities he commits as the Black Swordsman, and the horrible things he even does to Casca. Accidentally, but he still does them. Even now, while those things are behind him, and he's a much better guy, he's really just serving his tight nit group of friends to help Casca. Maybe you could argue that he and his party act as Casca's hero(es), but Guts is nothing like my idea of a hero.

[@ShinoaKoucho]

Crimson flower was my first route and my last was Azure Moon...that's how Both Dimitri & Edelgard became my most favorite characters in the game because I truly think they represent the black & white morality of the story. In kindness there is Evil. (Dimitri) In Evil, there is kindness. (Edelgard) though I dont think they're Evil at all, they both definitely did bad things (that they deemed right for a just cause). Even they admit to that. Claude is just somewhere in between. (Balance) and then there's Rhea....but I think she can be both. Despite her hidden crazed grief (like Dimitri), I cant deny that she also represented kindness. Cyril, Catherine would go so far as to die for her and stay with here even at her worst because she showed them kindness. So I think its a bit unfair for some people to hate on rhea just based on CF alone. (Though, since it was my 1st route, I am guilty of not liking her either initially.) maybe I would have loved Rhea as much as I loved Dimitri & Edelgard if she had a route on her own...Unfortunately, SS isnt about her. no one will probably read this but I just had to get it out haha I watched this the 1st time I finished all the routes. But after replaying the routes, I find my opinions always changing though one thing that doesn't is that I still think your analyses/explanation of the routes is the best one out here!

[@l.n.3372]

I read your comment! I liked your quotes about the kindness and evil. It fits both Dimitri and Edelgard in a way. But it also fits Rhea too. I think she's equally tragic as those 2, and most of her bad choices were made between a rock and a hard place. They're all tragic characters.

[@gendoruwo6322]

if Jordan Peterson played this game, he'd say BS to all of them. "You all talk big about changing the world, so idealistic. But have you cleaned your room?"

[@darknesswave100]

"I can't promise it'll be a masterpiece tho" Dude all of your videos are masterpieces in my book. Your perspective is always unique and I can't think of a single video I've watched of yours that you didnt get me to either change my perspective on a subject or just straight up decide to look at something again just because of how you worded something or with a point you make. That takes talent and not a lot of people can say they have it but you've got it and then some

[@Aleczandxr]

Many thanks, Jeffrey. I appreciate it very much.

[@kylestacey5973]

@@Aleczandxr hey I wanna ask you something what are your plans for when you become big on youtube

[@Aleczandxr]

@Kyle stacey Uhhh I dunno dude, 150k+ subs is already pretty big. I can't say I can realistically ask for much more.

[@kylestacey5973]

@@Aleczandxr your videos are great just wanna say and I can't wait to see more of them

[@sonlen796]

I frustrated me that we didn't get more interaction with Edelgard in her death scene in Silver Snow. In Verdant Wind it made more sense, but in SS she was directly one of your students for a time. Maybe have Byleth hug her before killing her just to let her know that they still cared even though their paths crossed.

[@l.n.3372]

What are you talking about? The cutscene was meant for SS and it's just copy pasted onto VW. She even calls you "my teacher" which she only does if you chose the Black Eagles, aka something she'd never say in VW at all. Edelgard also chose the path she did, and she says on the reunion scene in SS that when they next meet, it will be one of their deaths.

[@ivnzam]

I honestly loved every single character in this game and choosing a route in the future will be heartbreaking knowing the tragedy that occurs to the ones I do not choose.

[@andrewkos5560]

I'm ecstatic we have a recent FE narrative that warrants this type of Analysis. Three Houses has been a really wonderful surprise in almost every area for me, super happy with where FE is currently.

[@unknownmystery5373]

Then engage happened

[@andrewkos5560]

@@unknownmystery5373 lol yep. I'm now pretty much content with the gameplay going forward, but quite worried for the writing overall.

[@xXBDawkinsXx]

This video made me realize the connections it has with AOT. The complexities of War and having to fight friends due to being raised in different cities. The importance of blood; Eldian/Crests. Claude/Armin both tactical geniuses pushing through to explore the world. And the overall misunderstanding of the other sides resulting in war

[@randalthevandal4170]

I actually never noticed that before

[@YonkoJay]

Don’t know anything about the video topic, just dropped by to say I love and appreciate your content regardless of the topic because of how well made I think it is. Hope you’re having a great day/night!

[@Aleczandxr]

I appreciate it, thanks!

[@troykv96]

Fire Emblem truly is a story about war, bonds and love. And Three Houses really shows it.

[@takarahayashi4124]

correcting something about Rhea, she only orders execution at those who point their weapons at the faith, she is surrounded by many who aren't religious. Such as Shamir and Cyril. She doesn't care as long as you're not violent towards her and the church. Just look at everyone we know who were executed. Lonato's son, who plotted assassination, Lonato who raised an army to attack the church, the western church who attempted to usurp the central church and Edelgard who literally sent an army after Rhea in the holy tomb. Other's such as Mikhal, the sentence were edicts from the kingdom that they are following.

[@Aleczandxr]

Right, I didn’t mean to insinuate any differently.

[@takarahayashi4124]

@@Aleczandxr you probably didn't but it does gives off as such. Also, this is a pretty important aspect as well with Edelgard, that her crusade against the church was built off lies. Despite her family inheriting the empire from Seiros, they passed down boogey man stories about Rhea, which Edelgard took to heart. She even believes that Nemesis was actually a good guy who was covered up by the church.... when it was the opposite as Nemesis was never a king, nor did he liberated anything. He was simply a murdering bandit. Rhea covered up how the crests were obtained (through theft from TWISTED) to prevent further bloodshed as by that point, if the truth got it, it would've been genocide on those who bore the crests.

[@Aleczandxr]

I’m aware that it came off as such - as I said in the pinned comment, I should’ve done better with the Rhea section. I was just clarifying what my intent was. And I know, I mentioned all of that about Nemesis.

[@thatoneblackdude3333]

@@takarahayashi4124 I know this comment is a month old but I feel I must correct your comment cause it is trying to excuse reha of her failings of being the pope , edelgards war against the church is not built on lies the crest system is corrupt the game proves this multiple times and the nobility system is also corrupt again proven true multiple times in the game both of those problems where a result of reha and the church not properly keeping those systems in check and just allowing people to suffer under these things so long as it benefits them regardless if they aggre with it or not they had the power to do something and didn't for hundreds of years reha created a false religion parsing a dead God tricking hundreds and thousands of people that the goddess is saving them protecting them and they were fighting For the goddess when they are just being lied to by reha to keep humans in check these are not fallacies these are proven in game and are the main reason edelgard goes to war with them , I suggest you watch that scene again edelgard never said nemesis was a good guy not once at any point did the words nemesis and good guy come out of her words nor did she imply such what she actually said was the the fight between reha and nemesis was a simple dispute between them as there fight was because they didn't agree with eachother and not some grand holy battle between good vs evil like the church plays it off as is she right? No but she's not completely wrong ether regardless nothing about that scene implies edelgard thought nemesis was a good guy

[@johnathanera5863]

@Sean Austin no. Lol. Hes right. Edelgards reasons for war are 100% legitamate. But TWSINTD have warped the actions to be maliscous instead of neutral. But the actions are all still factual. And you cant blame edelgard fornbelieving in them when thebchurch actively destroys evidence of the past. So how was she supposed to know any better? She isnt evil. Period. She did wjat anybody would do when faced with the fact that inhuman monsters that hate humanity rule the world( her persepctive, not the truth, welllllll, kind of the truth). Hindsight doesnt allow you to judge someones character frombthe future. You can only judge actions from from the context that those actions where made. And when she made that decision to go to war she was absolutely correct to do so.

[@jrpgqueen3772]

Dimitri is such a precious child ! MUST PROTECC ! He is a blessing !

[@EvilAngel4116]

It's so simple yet still so far away. God that hurts my heart so much.

[@ForrestFox626]

And a bit too close to home

[@amirgarcia547]

Honestly, this has to be one of the best FE3H videos I’ve seen on this site. It takes an elaborate, interesting and unbiased analysis of all of the game’s central characters and explores their mindsets and ideals in great detail. And taking this nuanced approach in a game where the main message is not everything is black and white, and that there are two sides to every story, is something I can greatly appreciate. Especially in the wake of the...controversies that have stemmed from it. Plus, that Chrono Trigger music is just the cherry atop the ice cream.👌🏽

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks very much! There are little things I’d change about it if I could, but I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@artemdemenko2822]

It occured to me that Dmitri somewhat reminded me of that former assassin from the Monster anime. In it he said "It is easy to kill if you can forget the taste of sugar". Dimitri can barely feel the taste of any food and now I feel how it's intricate with his nature after the tragedy of Duscur

[@rockyperea1337]

Genuinely the greatest video essay I've been blessed to have seen.

[@Aleczandxr]

Well that's far more than the video deserves, but thank you!

[@ErraticMagics]

Fun fact: One of the meanings of the Chinese idiom in the original title (風花雪月) is romance. *Romance* of the Three Kingdoms, am I right?... I'll see myself out.

[@Specter1997]

Now that's an awesome AU lol

[@gendoruwo6322]

indeed it's a re-inventing of three kingdoms

[@TheKreve]

OMG OMG OMG Aleczandxr my favorite video essay person releases a 1 hour video of my favorite game of 2019. I think i might be dying.

[@siddiqsmouse5004]

Dimitri : the past Claude: the present Edelgard : the future

[@aussiepuppet5250]

I find this oddly accurate, because Claude is probably the only one who's hoping for people to benefit from an immediate change in the immediate future, in contrast to Edelgard wanting the future generations to feel the effects of her conquest.

[@yourconscience8018]

This is the most effective way to describe these characters in such little text. I love this game.

[@therealsamasima]

@@aussiepuppet5250 but Dimitri was right, giving the crests no weight is stupid.

[@williamlaney7208]

Eldlegard is Hitler follow her or die. Cool

[@b.3432]

honestly I'd swap Edelgard and Claude

[@sixofor3182]

Show this to the Game Awards Jury so they can see that they made a mistake not nominating this game for best narrative.

[@Specter1997]

After seeing this, I think I can safely say why (spoilers) Dimitri's death in GD is not shown aside from being too violent to show in a Nintendo game (umm), the other is that his death is so POINTLESS, MEANINGLESS as he said in AM, that the game doesn't even show it. This is some Evangelion level of deduction imo lol Also, keep it up, I can't wait to see more of this type of analysis videos ;)

[@HollowGolem]

Yeah, the point is that it's useless. A theme of his redemption arc is him realizing that just becoming a psychopathic Imperial-soldier-murdering-machine is just throwing his life away. So in the other routes, where he doesn't have that realization, he throws his life away, either in Gronder Field in a fit of bloodlust, or at Taltean as the servant to a crazed Saint who doesn't value him as anything more than a meat shield.

[@Specter1997]

@@HollowGolem couldn't have said better!

[@Tetragramix]

Bayonetta is a Nintendo game

[@Specter1997]

@@Tetragramix What does that have to do with the conversation?

[@Specter1997]

@@Tetragramix Bayonetta 2 is published by Nintendo, both games and the upcoming Bayonetta 3 are made by Platinum games.

[@chebikitty5566]

On the idea of Claude hiding behind his smirk and diplomacy/schemes it even works with his name. Khalid is the name he was given in Almyra, he only takes up Claude as a name when he becomes the future duke. As you progress through his route you learn the truth of what is happening in the world, but you also learn the truth of Claude himself.

[@BramSkiNation]

Damn finally somebody who understands the meaning of the game. You did an incredible job! I wouldn't know how to start with this video to be honest. Anyway keep up the good work!

[@Andreu0rtin]

59:13 While I agree with most said here Rhea is not totally wrong in my mind. She certainly is flawed to a big extend, but even then she tries to do her best with the hand she was dealt. She did her best to keep peace and happiness to the people, even if it is by something as reprehensible as rewrite or obscure history to the extent to say that Nemesis and the ten elites fight "evil gods" instead of genocing her brethren (something that Edelgard does to which is suprisingly not that much talked on on how similar are in that aspect). I cannot support her because she is a bad ruler even if she is a gentle soul (as we see how she takes in the children of the bandits, saying that they are innocent), she is ruthless against those who cross her and raise weapons against her and her people (which it is understandable, specially on the holy tomb), she has a giant red button that will put her into madness and she has her personal project of reviving Sothis both because she believes Sothis is the only one who can fix Fodlan (and basically why Rhea is so inactive and ineffective as ruler) and wants and needs to be with her mother again. She isn't more flawed than Edelgard, if anything her plan is keeping the current _status quo_ to bring a new golden age of Fodlan with the goddess Sothis nurturing the land and in the meantime having a new family in the church of Seiros (that is why she will go bonkers against those who hurt it).

[@Aleczandxr]

Just to clarify - none of my personal thoughts or philosophies are present in this video. I’m just interpreting what I think the story is presenting. Independent from my own personal feelings about her, I think the story presents her as the most “wrong” person. But as I said, even then, it is still gray with her for the reasons I stated.

[@Andreu0rtin]

@@Aleczandxr I still have to disagree, in my honest opinion the game puts her on almost the same level as Edelgard. Edelgard is outright villanous in 3 of the 4 paths, and before that she does a lot of stuff in part 1, especialy as the Flame Emperor and in her own, crimson flower, she does a lot of questionable stuff. Which in my honest opinion makes sense, Rhea and Edelgard are the main characters of the story. Dimitri and Claude are casualties of the war between Edelgard and the Church of Seiros (therefore Rhea) they do aren't important outside their own routes, something Edelgard and the church always do. If Rhea seems put in a bad light is because she didn't have her own route where we see her with a substantial amount of screen time, where she can be "at her best" with Byleth guiding her (as happens with the other lords).

[@justinokraski3796]

@@Andreu0rtin Dimitri absolutely could have stayed neutral but he was too fixated on revenge. If Edelgard made it clear that the Agarthans were the ones responsible for the Tragedy of Duscur, she could have had him as an ally. Even the Church of Seiros would have probably avoided fighting if it meant taking on an ancient enemy.

[@wheatleyscience9]

I'm late to discovering this video obviously. But holy shit man. Out of all the misinformation on this website and the internet regarding this game, you 100 percent nailed it regarding what this game is about. A very thorough analysis and as mostly an Edelgard fan, but someone who likes all the main characters including Rhea, you did them all justice.

[@Aleczandxr]

Cheers!

[@existentialmoron6334]

It always cheers me up when I see a notification of your videos

[@yuri-b1rd]

the way you went about Dimitris section really opened my eyes to his character and i feel like i can understand his mindset much better now... you made a very good video

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@copycrow4486]

This was so beautiful to watch. It offers so much more perspective, even if you've already played through the game. And after watching it all, about how much Byleth changes the people. The theme song for three houses seems so fitting. Everyone has their own goals in mind, but flaws are shown that bring ruin to those plans. Right hands aren't able to offer the support that their leader needs, this story has bits that relate to real life, especially the part about how one person can make the biggest difference in your life. That single person, who might even seem insignificant, can bring about the change you need most desperately. This game took a long time to make, but if things like this can be made with such time. I think I can speak for many when I say that the wait is definitely worth it.

[@thewolfmanhulk2927]

Always a good day when AJ releases a long video. Once again, I hope this video gets the views it deserves for the work put in to it

[@Aleczandxr]

It probably won't be popular lol, but that's okay. My Harry Potter video blew up to compensate.

[@thewolfmanhulk2927]

Aleczandxr I suppose so. Though having this vid get lots of views wouldn’t be bad either.

[@GusGusk3]

I wanted so bad to watch this video, but at the intro I realized that I would be ruinning my experience (Havent finished all the routes) by doing so. Funnily enough I realized that while you were talking about how you need to watch other routes to feel sorry for the characters, Ill be saving this video for later.

[@Aleczandxr]

Yeah definitely, this is just intended for people who’ve played it all. Wouldn’t want to ruin your experience!

[@volkerschmitz6623]

@@Aleczandxr that´s actually an interesting point Aleczandxr , do you truely think a great narrative like this would be destroyed or slightend by spoilers ? Might be an interesting topic for a discussion at another point. That´s just my opinion : I don´t think spoilers ruin ones expierence , most of the time they enhance ones expierence instead.

[@hariman7727]

@@Aleczandxr Or for people who will likely never play the game at all, or would rather know now, and enjoy later with full knowledge of all that's going on. I don't consider that route for all games... but I'd be waiting at least 2 years before playing this if I did plan on getting it.

[@eternaldarklight8204]

Thank you so much for this great video, its amazing to see how much thought and passion was placed into these characters and the setting and themes despite some of the flaws and criticisms it has garnered. I really loved how all these characters were flawed or had bad dealings in life but through tough times, they forged their own beliefs and goals based on their experiences and ideals. This is also why it irks me when people say that all fire emblem games have bad writing, especially Engage defenders. Many stories may have incomplete ideas or ideas that were not executed to their full potential but you can tell like in the case of Three houses that there was love and effort put into the game. Hope you all have a good day

[@Aleczandxr]

My pleasure!

[@damnthatsrough970]

A one hour video of aleczandxr talking about fire emblem three houses ? YES PLEASE

[@ArsSanctum]

This is late, but I do want to add something. The Ashen Wolves DLC has an interaction between Dimitri and Edelgard that I found intriguing. Its a small exchange, but in it Dimitri questions Edelgard about her hair color - asking her if it was always the way it is then (white vs brown). Edelgard is surprised by this and admits it used to be a different color before...before asking if Dimitri knew her back then. Couple this with the fact that Edelgard forgot that it was Dimitri who gave her the dagger, and the way she talks so vaguely about "a noble from Faerghus" in her Goddess Tower cutscene and you can come to an interesting conclusion. Edelgard doesn't fully remember her time with Dimitri. She knows she spent time in Faerghus, particularly with a certain noble boy her age, and that they developed a bond. She just doesn't remember that it was Dimitri. This is probably because its immediately after her time in Faerghus that her hell begins. While Dimitri's suffering is from the loss of others and being witness to such traumatic violence: he wasn't actually the subject of it like Edelgard was.

[@tragic_solitude7992]

I love Edelgard. Her character is so good.

[@maxrichards3881]

lafon02 Same here.

[@noamemerson-fleming285]

I hate her, her character is so good

[@elhugo13]

bravissimo! was a pleasure to watch this video after finishing the four routes.

[@Aleczandxr]

Happy you enjoyed it!

[@Kefkaownsall]

A bit of a thing about Felix. He has easy recruitment and if you do especially on cf he basically says that he doesn't want to enable Dimitri

[@CharlieManning-g5h]

This is still easily in my top 5 videogames of all-time. Absolutely incredible from start to finish imo

[@emrakultpe]

Thank you for making this video. I know a 60 minute scripted video takes a lot of time and effort to write, and to do it accurately. I also liked your viewpoints and analysis in the main characters. Keep it up 👍

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks very much! The video ain’t perfect but I’m glad that people are able to get value out of it and acknowledge that it was a huge time sink! Appreciated.

[@GreatBeanicus]

This is how you write a story with branching paths. It is such a departure from what the series is known for, especially considering that their only other attempt at this approach was such a failure. I'm not saying that Fire Emblem: Fates was a failure as a whole, but I must admit that the branching paths, and especially the story for each was handled with absolutely no care. And yet, it is precisely those exact same things in Three Houses that excel. I'm heartbroken that in the end, as many as two of the amazingly written house leaders has to die to finish the game. And it's an awful feeling to have to do so. But in the end I'm actually just happy we didn't get some terribly written middle ground plot that couldn't possibly work with each character's motivations and ideals intact. The end of each of these stories may be a bit somber, but each also shows the beauty of the journey up to this point, and all of the endings are well deserved and satisfying.

[@djsalad5752]

My favorite post game epilogue story thing is Claude & Lorenz actually. It’s brilliant, and I highly suggest checking it out.

[@TheGameShelf]

Mad respect for this video bro, when I saw "1 hour long video" I wasn't particularly motivated to watch it, but because its Three Houses and because you made it all extremely interesting I made it all the way through I genuinely love this game both from a gameplay and a storytelling perspective, it has faults yeah, but you managed to express what makes this game so special for many, and myself

[@Aleczandxr]

Cheers dude, glad you enjoyed.

[@darkmoon2503]

This video was absolutely incredible. This was such a great breakdown of the themes and goals of each route, as well as deeper insights into the lords. I've played Golden Deer 4 times, and I still felt like I had a better grasp on Claude only after watching this vid. Now this hour-long introspective is great content, but I'll need just a little more convincing before I subscr- (Sees Lorenz quote) ...Subscribed👍

[@Ray-hx3rm]

How did I watch this video already and yet forgot about it so now I have to watch it again

[@cedderu9017]

Great job on the video. I've thought about compiling an overview of the paths in correlation with each other for a while now, since there's so much misinformation or lack of information in people's discussions about the game, which is certainly against the point the 4 path system wants to bring across. I haven't found the time to do so yet, so I am grateful for your work. While I mostly agree with your exploration, I think there is one main point I have to challenge, that being your portrayal of Rhea's goals. You suggest Rhea perpetuated a false history to enforce the dogma of the church and the divine control. I do believe, that is a negative (side-) effect of the method she applied here. As I interpret Rhea's character, after having lost everything, she wanted to restore the peace first and foremost. Rhea is generally depicted as a compassionate person which takes harder action, if the order she created becomes endangered. And I think that compassion is a main driving force of hers. The Agarthans who coexisted with the Nabatheans waged war between each other and fell to hubris, challenging their allies. She had to witness Nemesis and the ten Elites, humans, the people the children of the Goddess and Sothis restored the continent for and cared for after the fall of Agartha, murder nearly all of her people and destroying the order of her mother's world. (I am not certain if Nemesis was actually Agarthan, as stated in the video, but rather a human of the Fódlan Sothis had restored, who was power-hungry and had been manipulated by the Agarthans that had become Those Who Slither in the Dark). Time and time again she saw the cruelty humans were capable of, so what was there to do after the death of Nemesis? Wait for it to happen again? Create a world that is based on massacres where people murdered the Goddess and her children? Rhea chose to create a world based on a lie, which, you could argue, is a form of compassion itself. The new history promotes a more black and white view of the world. Nemesis was good, then he became bad and the good people slew him. It gave the people a Goddess and a moral system to believe in and not the tragic outlook of a world where time and time again once kindred spirits turned on each other. Rhea instrumentalised her enemies, especially the Ten Elites by creating the nobility system, to restore what was taken from her: order. Now here's the issue. Rhea herself knows she is not fit to lead the people but there was no one else left to rule. Cichol and Cethleann slept to recover from the war and Indech and Macuil left. She was the only Nabatean left, bearing the weight of the responsibility to keep the peace. That solitude and pressure led her to try to resurrect her mother as she had no one else to turn to. This effect was reinforced by the passing centuries and caused her to slowly lose track of her main goal and leading to a reign of control for the sake of control. At least that could be a way to interpret her actions at the time the game takes place at. In a way Rhea falls to the madness of her long life, similar to how the dragons in other FE games do, just not in such a drastic way. In the end we can see her either completely break in CF, finally give in to her exhaustion after finding someone else to pass her responsibilities to in AM, VW and SS or finally find her way in SS if you S support her as it has been mostly described in the video. Lying about history is not a good thing, I don't try to argue this here. Adding to that, Rhea's paternalistic (or maternalistic in this case) attitude can be critiqued as well. That's the case for any philosophy applied by the four leaders in Three Houses. However I don't agree with the general consensus of Rhea being the "worst" of the four leaders. I hope that this short elaboration can maybe convince people, that Rhea is rather a consequentialist counterpart to Edelgard, with Rhea being a conservative consequentialist, that wants to keep a flawed peace in order to prevent further massacres and Edelgard being a revolutionary consequentialist, ready to cause further bloodshed in hopes of a better world. In the end she is just as lost as Dimitri and Edelgard, if not more, but had more time to cause negative consequences by only meeting Byleth so late in her life. Also a completely different side-note: I think it's interesting to note to interpret Claude's main character flaw in the beginning of the game as him instrumentalising Byleth before learning to trust them and becoming their friend. Anyways thanks for your time reading this and putting together the video.

[@Aleczandxr]

Yeah, I realize that the main problem with the video is that I didn’t really delve into Rhea to the fullest extent. This video isn’t meant to contain four character analyses, but rather to go over the background, views, ideals and motives of each character before talking about how they contributed to the main theme. But in the process of writing Rhea’s part I got a bit too caught up in leaning on summarizing the lore of the game and talking about how you can be her “light” and didn’t give her quite as much sympathy as she deserved with regards to her motivations. I don’t agree that enforcing the dogma was purely a side effect, but my phrasing in Rhea’s section should’ve been more fair and elaborate to help justify her perspective.

[@cedderu9017]

@@Aleczandxr Her true motivations are certainly not completely transparent, so some parts do come down to interpretation. I think her absence for most of Silver Snow also hurts (and the other routes for that matter) as there's little time for justification and exploration of her character during the conflict, which leads to a more hazy portrait of her character compared to the lords. Still I find it important to discuss as some people might glance over the finer details of her character and accept the opinions of certain characters in the game as their own, which is why I went a little overboard here. Still that shouldn't take away from the excellent job you did on the other three parts.

[@Ice-wd2lg]

This is a great video. I've been a longtime lurker on your channel that never commented before because I felt that I had nothing to add to your thorough analyses. It's a bit different though this time - probably because this game is so expansive and lots of small bits of character nuance are locked behind optional, and often missed choices, or because our route order probably helped us catch or miss certain nuances. To preface, it's nice to see such passion for Dimitri. He's a great character and I'm so happy you used one of my favorite quotes, about accepting the unacceptable, of his. I also think your passion shows in how thorough you were in your analysis of his character, but I also feel you were a bit more surface level with the other characters. For instance, you hit on many good points with Claude and you have a very optimistic interpretation of his character in routes where Byleth doesn't side with him, but I think he has some more going on because I don't think it's just the lack of strength that prevents him from "winning." Claude despising ignorance and as a result, seeking the truth of Fódlan to better the country is a good take. But one step more, I think what started Claude's thirst for knowledge is the near necessity of learning. He wouldn't be able to blend in while in Fódlan otherwise. His fear of being ostracized is big part of his character and it's also why he maintains neutrality in many circumstances. You talked about how Claude maintained "a facade of neutrality amidst the internal strife of the Alliance" and that encapsulates his character in a nutshell too. Claude's friendly facade covers up most of his own internal strife - his low self-esteem that clashes with his wish for change and his manipulative nature that clashes with his empathy. In the non-Golden Deer routes, he maintains neutrality because of these clashes. But he's also treading water, unable to commit to his dream because of them. I don't think it's ever explicitly stated Claude's the crown prince of Almyra. And while it's implied that he'll become King of Almyra on non-Golden Deer routes, I don't think there's enough evidence to substantiate that he does either. He actually says his royal connections are insignificant during his S support with Byleth. Considering that it's stated that his father is the King of Almyra in some ending cards, that might mean Claude is second or third in line to the throne, or maybe even the child of a concubine, depending on the country's political structure. So I believe that only in his route, with Byleth's guidance, is Claude able to "carry out the whims of that idealistic young boy." And it works the other way, too. Without Byleth, Claude's bereft of his idealism. He's cynical the whole way through. He still possesses dreams of uniting Fódlan and Almyra, but because his "calm and rational mindset help him to never lose himself in war," he, more likely than not, shut his idealistic hopes away forever. His rationality helps him survive, but he ignores his own feelings as a result. It's telling that Claude says that he can't "*imagine* making [his] dreams come true" without Byleth because it’s true. Without Byleth, Claude won't be idealistic, empathetic, or trusting - he'll end up cynical, insensitive, and manipulative - and he'll never commit to the self-agency needed to find or carve out a place where he belongs. His belief in fate can be idealistic or cynical depending on the route too. It can viewed as what drew Byleth to him or it can be what binds him to a cycle of unending discrimination. In the end, I think we came to the same conclusion, since you do articulate that Byleth specifically helps Claude achieve his goals due to his trust in them. But I think Claude's tragedy is somewhat understated since he can survive in all the routes and is assumed to claim the Almyran throne as long as he lives. But like I wrote about above, I don't think he becomes King of Almyra in non-Golden Deer routes and it feels that his efforts end in vain when Byleth doesn't side with him. Because of his traumatic past and resulting flawed personality, he, more likely than not, will just live with his failures and unfulfilled ambitions in non-Golden Deer routes. And if he's killed, the dream he envisions just become "ashes and dust." No one will pick up that slack either - unlike with Edelgard's ambitions - because no one else understands how he feels. That's in part because of his unique heritage and because he didn't trust anyone enough to share his burden. Overall, Claude holds himself up better than the other main characters without Byleth, but it's only because he's so deft at shutting down his own emotions when it doesn't go his way. He doesn't need a light in his life like Dimitri and Edelgard does, but he still needs true connection and bonds and he can only reach the inspirational highs he's known for in Golden Deer because he actually sees and gets them in that route. Anyway, I've rambled enough in one comment. Once again, great video. I love your analyses so I was kind of hoping to have a bit of discussion about this one in particular since I think you might've glossed over some material. But even if we don't, I look forward to what you've planned next! Thanks for all the effort you put into this and all your videos!

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks for watching. Your interpretation is very interesting and I agree with some of it, as you mentioned! I particularly like how you said that Byleth is the reason Claude is idealistic, and that he'd be cynical without them. I don't entirely think that it's that cut-and-dry, but overall I agree and it's something that I alluded to in the video but should've mentioned more explicitly. However, overall, I think this comment is a bit unfair and dismissive of the work and thought I put into that section. Apologies for the wall of text, but I felt the need to defend myself a bit here. The implication that he becomes the Almyran King was something that I thought of retrospectively after playing Golden Deer, so I went back and rewatched all of his parting scenes in the other routes. He never explicitly says what specifically he will do, but knowing his goals and the state of things in Fodlan, and understanding the tonal differences between his character journey and the others, I concluded that he went on to become Almyran royalty, or at least attempt to do so. In both BL and BE, he mentions that he has decided to leave Fodlan because he has “dreams he needs to see come to fruition” (BL). We know that his dream is essentially world peace and an end to hierarchy, prejudice and conflict. We know he wants to lead and rule to get to that outcome. We know he is the heir to the throne of Almyra (the strength of his claim may be weaker than insinuated, as you said, but it's a claim nonetheless). He also mentions in the BL route that he views Dimitri as caring, and if spared in both routes he more or less implies that he has faith in the new potential regime. So naturally, that path to is dream that would be most fitting and logical, and the one that would reap the most rewards, is leading Almyra. Why WOULDNT he do that? He has a leadership he believes in in Fodlan, so it is reasonable to think that he would attempt to do what he did in GD, by resolving the problems in Almyra and taking it and Fodlan into the future together. It would also fit in thematically with his world view being more open and flexible than the others, through him not needing a “light” and his mentality being a meta-representation of the type of mindset needed in a setting like this. I explained this in the video - he is a huge thematic tool and personification, and all of that is somewhat undercut if he DOESN’T become Almyran royalty. And yes, he says that his royal connections are insignificant, but I read the tone in that S-Support differently than you did and even regardless from that, I don't think that proves anything. What I mean is that Claude has always thought of royal bloodlines as insignificant due to his ideals, so I viewed him as just reinforcing that with that line. That they don't matter in his eyes, even if they're important in the world. Clearly, his connections ARE significant if he has the chance to rise to royalty in any route at all. Plus, he frames those "insignificant" connections much differently that the inflection you put forth when you mentioned the line; he says that he "has royal connections too, insignificant as they may be. It's time for me to struggle all over again and see what I can do." Those insignificant connections are a foothold that'll actually *help* him - he brings them up as a boon and a method he has for his struggle to the throne in Almyra. That's just how I read the S-Support and I may be wrong, but I don't think it's any less valid than your interpretation. Your interpretation is very well-thought-out, but I don’t think that a bitter, unfulfilled end in the way you describe fits with his character at all, and it is at complete odds with the spirit of his parting scene and his character as a whole, in my opinion. Basically, I just think there is much more evidence to a less sad ending for him if he survives, for all of the reasons I said, logically, characterization-wise and thematically. Just my opinion! Regardless, like I said, I thought about all of this, which takes quite a multitude of things into account, and then I checked online to ensure that I wasn’t just making stuff up or forming connections where there weren’t any. I always do this for things I’m not sure about in videos, and as stated in the beginning, I did a lot of fact-checking for this script. There is obviously no conclusive proof for this, but many read the implication the same way I did, and on two separate wikis (fireemblemwiki.org and fireemblem.fandom.com), it is stated that in every route (as long as he survives), he ultimately returns to Almyra to become king. Now obviously the wiki isn’t objective fact or truth, but I think this is definitely enough to substantiate my idea, and along with my reasoning, justify its inclusion in the video. And I think that is important in disproving your notion that I thought about him and approached his section in a surface-level way, or glossed over some stuff. Because once the idea that he becomes Almyran king is settled, everything else I said falls neatly in line and is backed up by proof from the story. Also, as a sidenote, I don't agree that Claude fears being ostracized. He may have thought so in the past and he thinks that being ostracized is terrible but as shown in his supports with others (the Petra one comes to mind), he no longer fears it, in my opinion. To him, being an outsider is not something he fears because he has learnt how to deal with it, how to rise above it, and he's aware of how ridiculous it is. It was a source of fear for him, but I think during the story he's in a place where he's grown past that fear. Your reading of it is very clever too though! Ultimately it's just a difference of opinion between us, but I don't think it would be fair either way for either of us to say that the other is thinking about it at a surface level. Now, I’m not saying that I’m correct because of all of this, and I’m not saying your interpretation was wrong. If you disagree, that’s obviously totally cool! But hopefully now that you know my process and reasoning, you can agree that this is simply a case of you reading the events different than me and the wiki, rather than me being shallow or glossing over things. As I said, I just think it’s a bit unfair of you to presume that I missed something and/or didn't look deeper and/or didn’t put the effort in for Claude. Thanks for watching again and supporting my videos in the past!

[@Ice-wd2lg]

@@Aleczandxr My apologies, I didn't mean to dismiss the effort you put into that section. I admit saying surface level was harsh on my end, but I also don't think it's possible that you witnessed every single piece of optional dialogue this game has. For instance, I first saw one of Claude's advice box questions yesterday while playing through Golden Deer again on Maddening. And I'm sure there's still dialogue I haven't seen before. Some of this optional dialogue will only reinforce characterization, but some of them can add a new perspective. Speaking of the advice box, before addressing your main point, I want to refute your side note on how Claude doesn't fear being ostracized because I disagree with parts of it even with Petra's support as your line of reasoning. One of Claude's advice box questions before the time skip is "I often overhear people commenting about strange I am. I don't really get it. Shouldn't it be expected that everyone has their own unique perspective on life?" The correct answer is "Just follow your own path and don't worry about them." I think this question and answer reinforce my stance. I interpret it as Claude voicing his own insecurities and seeking validation. And this is consistent with his character as he seeks validation multiple times through the game under a guise of confidence. I agree with your interpretation that he'd rose above his fear of being ostracized, but I disagree that he has done so by the start of the game. I think he's growing out of it during the Golden Deer route. It's why he doesn’t reveal his Almyran heritage until after the time skip. He holds this secret close to his chest because he’s afraid of other people judging his heritage. Dedue, Petra, Shamir, and Cyril all face levels of casual to blatant discrimination because their background gives people reason to suspect wrongdoing. And the reason Claude escapes these same condescending statements from characters like Hilda - who was casually racist to Cyril - is because he purposely hid it. He'd rather be judged for being an abnormal noble or mischievous jokester because it doesn't attack the heritage that he holds so close to his heart. And Claude cares a lot about Almyra. He expresses real sadness when Cyril demonstrates no desire to return to his homeland and is upset when pirates posing as the Almyran Navy attack Derdriu in the Sword and Shield of Seiros paralogue with Alois and Shamir. This is one of the optional dialogues that might've been missed, but it adds an important piece of characterization to Claude. He gets visibly upset if you have him attack the boss in that paralogue and this is the dialogue he has with the commander: "How could you commit such crimes in the name of Almyra? It's because of two-bit miscreants like you that Almyrans suffer so much hate!" The fact that that moment is one of two times Claude gets upset in the entire game adds additional weight to its meaning. I think it's very understated how much he loves Almyra, but at the same time, he hides this love for fear of being ostracized and judged. And I believe this holds true until the time skip, where like you said, he rises above it. I don't mean to imply that your interpretation is surface level though! I just feel because most of these details are locked behind optional dialogues, you might've not seen them. I understand your cross-reference of the Fire Emblem Wiki and I understand you're not citing it as objective fact either, but it has been known to host misinformation in the past. At one point, it had Judith and Nader as Claude's parents, which is one of their more baffling conclusions. And you're right, my inflection on his S support wasn't accurate as I didn't have the quote on hand with me. I see your point of view regarding different interpretations of his "insignificant ties" line so I won't use it to qualify or support any statements. But I think the fact that he mentions he'll need to "struggle all over again" means he won't easily get the throne. Without Byleth and the resulting the development he gets because of Byleth in Golden Deer, I'm skeptical that he possesses the qualities - namely a strong commitment - needed to claim it. While I don't fault your logic in why Claude has every reason to pursue the Almyran throne, regardless of how hard it might be to claim it, I think that rationality ignores Claude's insecurity and resignment. As I discussed before, Claude maintains a facade and this facade is rarely dropped in non-Golden Deer routes. It's the reason why the spirit of his parting is positive. He forces it to be by shutting his own negative emotions away. This is probably less obvious in Blue Lions because he willingly gives up the Alliance, but his ominous line that asks Dimitri to not "be too hard on [him]" when they meet again suggests that tensions between Fódlan and Almyra will remain. He says he's off to pursue his dreams so that Dimitri doesn't feel guilty for taking the Alliance, but in actuality, Claude doesn't have much confidence that he'll become the Almyran king. His cynical nature has pretty much erased the idealist in him at this point and it hinders his actions. I don't think Claude suffering an unfulfilled end in non-Golden Deer routes completely invalidates your claim that he's the personification of the game's themes or that it doesn't fit in with the game's themes. I think your conclusion can be amended to encapsulate the Golden Deer route specifically as the route that demonstrates the attitude that one needs to approach the game with and all that can be learnt from being open-minded and flexible. Meanwhile, in other routes, this open-mindedness and flexibility are taken to extremes and become hindrances that prevent action. I think the game just doesn't lean towards anything as being good no matter what - well, besides for the value of human connection - and that's why I reject the idea that Claude's open-mindedness and flexibility are always good things. Understanding another's perspective is important, but if you understand everyone’s perspective then how will you ever take action in good consciousness? And I think this is the conundrum that Claude faces. In non-Golden Deer routes, to prevent further harm to others, he shuts down his own ambitions. In Golden Deer, even if it means hurting others, he has the strength - both physically and mentally - that he needs to pursue his ambitions. Anyway, this is just my opinion as well. I might be a bit pushy with it because I've seen a number of people claiming that Claude's perfect, a Gary Stu, or never fails - statements I heavily disagree with - but I know you're not suggesting that in your analysis. I guess we can just both agree that he's a well-written character with nuance and depth. And again, apologies for my statements. I didn't mean to unfairly judge to your efforts, I could have articulated my point better.

[@Ichiyama22]

Three Houses, where you can be a successor, a moral compass, a therapist, or an accomplice

[@markedelylumbao1609]

I really need to save for this. Thanks. This is worth it to watch, thank you.

[@buihuy5211]

The fact that she triggered a bigger change in every route is the prove that she is a good person

[@rarityandSElover]

This is so poignantly written and fleshed out, and I find myself agreeing with everything, your words are my thoughts that I’ve never been able to put into words. Fantastic video! Been subscribed for a while now. ❤️❤️❤️

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@Fabiocean2000]

Holy shit, one of my fav KZbinrs making a video about one of my fav games. That makes me so happy.

[@PinkieYay]

I think Byleth is a stand-in for therapy tbh... everyone in this game desperately needs it

[@Lightwrath1994]

While they are dancing, Dimitri and Edelgard aren't touching each other, cause they will always influence each other, but never will they cross their paths to an agreement... Claude on the other hand is trying to do his own thing, he invites you to dance and wants you to help him reach his destination. I think there is so much to interpret in it..

[@riftaquarius3437]

Welp, looks like I have something to watch when I finally finish this game.

[@astrojade3611]

My favorite thing ever is that Claude calls you “my friend” throughout Verdant Wind. It’s so precious

[@heartnet40]

>first song in the video is Radiant Historia music Sir, just like that, you already have my attention.

[@stoopz3634]

Wow. Such quality and writing. Bravo sir! What an awesome analysis.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@Lakefront_Khan]

You're not supposed to give knives as gift, "lest you sever your connection."

[@Mr96POP]

Absolutely WONDERFUL analysis! This is easily the best video essay of Three Houses on the Internet, and I can’t thank you enough for looking at all the nuances in the story and characterization with such a thoughtful perspective. This video is proof of why Three Houses being my favorite game in the series is not just because of recency bias. This game really took its time to build an authentic world and make every character memorable and unique. Previous games would have a few main characters along with a bunch of other units who were basically archetypes with face portraits. Here, I remember every character, their importance to the story, and how they overcome their own hardships. The reason why the multiple routes work so well is that each route allows you to focus on a core cast of about 8 students for a long campaign. No one gets lost in the shuffle as you’re given time to breathe from chapter to chapter. With many Fire Emblem games, I forget many of the characters long after my first playthrough. With Three Houses, I remember everyone so vividly and constantly revisit this vast and intricate universe.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it so much.

[@giantheccinwyvern]

Wanna know the strangest part of the game? We know that El and Dimitri are related, but Claude is also distantly related to both of them due to house Riegan being an offshoot of house Blaiddyd. They're all one big, murder-happy family! Except Claude. In all of the routes, he's probably the most dedicated to trying to avoid bloodshed.

[@33link333]

Dimitri and Edelgard aren't directly related though, they are step siblings, and the Riegan family is nearly 400 years separated from the Blaiddyd family.

[@Willedcub93442]

This video is incredibly well done and deserves so much more recognition. Thank you for your hard work and efforts.

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks.