Mike Toreno | Grand Theft Auto Biographies | S3E12

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/ thecriminalhistorian Regime building, Drug dealing and corruption at the highest levels. Tonight we will take a look at a brief window of time in the life of one of our most mysterious subjects on GTA Biographies to date. We will follow the actions of a government man embroiled in Latin american affairs who used any means necessary to fund his operations and the unlikely relationship he formed with one of the state’s most notorious criminals which gave us this glimpse into his otherwise undocumented career. We will see government sponsored narcotics trafficking, inter-agency rivalries and domestic terrorism…allegedly, as we examine the known life and crimes of the G-man spook; Mike Toreno.
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Grand Theft Auto Biographies is a GTA Lore show which aims to explore all noteworthy characters from the GTA universe in a detailed and in-universe format. New Episodes every monday during the Season.
Help me reach my Season 3 goal to get this channel 1 step closer to being 100% fan funded so I can continue producing shows for you guys for a long time to come.
All rights to the Grand Theft Auto brand including names, characters, music, etc to
Rockstar Games and associates as well as Take Two Interactive
socialclub.rockstargames.com
Written, Produced, Edited Scored and Narrated by: Guiness Walker
/ guinesswalker
“GTA SA Theme” Originally recorded for Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive
All Music Recorded by Guiness Walker
All Footage recorded in game by Guiness Walker
Special Thanks to
Qualcomone for his GTA Definitive Editions
To Aap for his debug menu
github.com/aap/debugmenu
To Circuit.tron for his artwork of me:
linktr.ee/halleyjevelandart
To MixMods and all the amazing modders for their phenomenally helpful website
To GameTrailers and Brandon Jones for their Retrospective series back in the day
• Grand Theft Auto Retro...
To the GTA Wiki for help scripting this video
gta.fandom.com/wiki/Claude
To Vadim M, Badger Godger, Sonny Evans, SWEGTA, GoldVision and many more for inspiration
To KeeKnee for Thumbnail consultation
To Rani for the intro Spray Can
Vadim M
/ nationalpepper
Badger Godger
/ @badgergoodger
Gold Vision
/ @goldvision
Sonny Evans
/ @sonnyfnevans
SWEGTA
/ swegta
To my bandmates in Chronicle Millenia for musical feedback
To Lovice for giving me the gumption to start making youtube videos
To Rockstar Games, Dan and Sam Houser, Leslie Benzies and all the people whose hearts, minds and time were put into the creation of some of my favourite video games of all time.
Chapters
Intro 00:00
Episode Start 01:02
Early Life 02:48
The Greater Good 04:03
Undercover, Overworked 06:28
The Bigger Picture 13:44
Flying Gangster 23:54
A Man of his Word 29:47
Personality 36:58
Known Crimes 39:43
Outro 42:28
Credits 43:14

[@ChaplainPhantasm]

For a double agent, Toreno was indeed a man of his word. He was a very peculiar character in all the good ways possible.

[@OvSpP]

I kinda wish he would’ve appeared in another game, just to show that he’s got his fingers in a lot of cookie jars. Like imagine if the Sindacos or Mendez brothers were in the way of one his illegal operations and he had to help Vic or Tony ruin them in some way for ‘the greater good’.

[@patricktate5734]

He probably did. It was around that time the US was supporting the Contras Organization with drug money from the Untied States. It could have been a possibility.

[@ntrainr160]

@@patricktate5734 I wont be surprised if Tommy and Toreno had a partnership.

[@patricktate5734]

@@ntrainr160I think the drug cartels in each game in the 3D universe might be the same organization just under a different name. Also it was noted that the CIA must have seized Vic and Lance's Cocaine field in Panama sometime after their deaths in Vice City. You can hear Toreno mention the connect from Panama to Tbone in the introduction movie to San Andreas.

[@matthewalvarez3442]

I love the fact that James Wood voiced Hades and CJ calls Toreno the devil

[@vinegar4556]

This video, and specifically the thumbnail, made me realise that Torino is one of the few key GTA characters to have no official artwork.

[@3eezy]

And it might be genius if you think about it. They probably intentionally didn't add him in to add more to the mysterious factor when you first meet him.

[@fleezyp]

In San Andreas, after your first mission for him, he appears in the loading screen until you complete the game. His art is quite different compared to the other portraits of characters in the same loading screens

[@MrfrogAXN]

I found Mike kind of to mysterious, but still a great character nonetheless, Great job, and we’re glad you’re back.

[@Goyanks28]

I’ve been waiting for Mike Toreno’s episode. He was hilarious and a great character.

[@samedwards3285]

I think we can all agree we need an HD Universe rendering of Mike Toreno.

[@lamehomer]

Heard ulc paper in gta 4 was the closest to that

[@TreyStewart699]

Toreno has to be the most mysterious character in the entire GTA franchise no other GTA game had such a mysterious character like him

[@octavianhughes4493]

I'd be interested to see him and UL Paper trade barbs.

[@octavianhughes4493]

Hell, Mike might even be his boss since some of the characters from the 3d universe carried over into the HD, like OG Loc for example. I'd love to see some of the old charas get a brushup in newer games.

[@sambo416]

Him and truth

[@TenkabitoShien]

Donald love as well

[@Henrique-bz3ch]

The amount of incredible characters and character development in GTA San Andreas is absurd! No GTA up to date has surpassed the masterpiece San Andreas was.

[@mzov_1724]

I like how you mentioned trees rendering in front of CJ as he flew lmao

[@duncangaming4165]

Toreno is my all time favorite SA character, due in part by Woods' hilarious performance and the excellently written dialogue. Great video.

[@RKNGL]

Mike Toreno one of the few powerful characters to uphold his bargains in the series.

[@Kazukii29]

18:07 I was hoping you would mention that Mike somehow "mimicked" Carl's voice to call Ceaser about the truck hijacking mission.

[@PlebNC]

My headcanon is it was either done by chopping up recordings of phone calls CJ makes like it's an early G Mod video or Mike does a terrible impression but Caesar is a bit racist and takes a "they all sound alike" attitude and assumes it's actually CJ.

[@isaiperez5929]

To this day Mike Toreno’s phone calls to CJ about flight school are some of my favorite bits of comedy 😂

[@NeruandRin2]

Mike Toreno reminds me of Donald Love. The mysterious vibes but in different ways.

[@1stwonder788]

His character is more fascinating when you consider that the CIA are not permitted to do any activity on American soil

[@austinlee4156]

The way Toreno talks about Tenpenny and Polaski as benign makes it seem like there are dozens of police in this universe as shifty and dirty ....

[@twinswords79dualblade84]

Yes! Finally! I’ve been waiting for Mike Toreno’s Biography, he’s one of my favorite characters in GTA SA!

[@justsomeguy747]

Toreno is a great character, true to his word, but also very ruthless. I think you're right about Toreno's age, and its safe to assume Mendez and Jizzy were at the same age as well, judging by their appearance and the Rifa looking like a gang of older gangsters. Its definitely possible they've worked together for several years, and Mike was the brains of the operation, as a means to get funding for his agency and his operations, Judging by Ryder's association with the trio, I think its highly likely Smoke himself spoke with Toreno, given the fact that Toreno was the Loco Syndicate leader.

[@kalkuttadrop6371]

While it's impossible to say if he specifically was involved again, his group was (according to Ray) invested to some degree in the SPANK business run by the Colombian Cartel, and it's his interference in the trade that forced Ray to flee the state to the semi-mythical city of Miami.

[@patricktate5734]

That instrumental for the "bigger picture" portion of this video is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@trentonbates3114]

GTA SA had such a great cast mike was one of my favorites too

[@shadowwilson7282]

They mysterious Mike Toreno that helped out CJ in a big way... even if it was part of government corruption. I was waiting on this! Also, glad to hear from you, GW!

[@notsocrabby9961]

This guy is my favorite npc out of any GTA. Love Toreno💯

[@AH-is5yg]

Mike is interesting, what makes him good character is that he keeps his word.

[@ntrainr160]

Mike Toreno is a mastermind. Hes always one step ahead of you and is very smart in his plans.

[@ntrainr160]

It would be interesting to see Tommy Vercitti and Mike Toreno working together. Its possible Toreno knows who Vercitti is especially at the end of Vice City.

[@lonelydriver6154]

one of my favorite characters in the series

[@FormulaPenguin483]

Toreno is one of my favourite GTA characters ever. Too bad we never hear about him after or before SA.

[@PrimeroJinJusuke]

I hope we get Lester and Dave Norton soon.

[@landan1473]

Won't be for awhile him and Lamar will be saved for gta online biographies since there's so much stuff there in. Next season I belive next sea Season is gta 4 side characters

[@mycklaflonscamping1398]

I like your fanbase, just chill people talking about a great game

[@dylanthomas9907]

I always look forward to the interactions between CJ and Toreno when I do a playthrough. Hijack a Hydra jet and sink a flotilla of enemy spy ships, nothing major! Has to be my favourite part of the game apart from when you have to defend the helicopter so it can drop its package

[@robertfrazier6563]

Honestly anyone can live in that Hanger ( Only things it need is a satellite receiver , a kitchen, & a laundry room you're set ). Anyway what branch of government Toreno is working for he sure don't his hands dirty. With him knowing everyone & everything he more of an powerful ally ( Even though he stood behind everyone ). Is doubtful that he's still working for the government or he retired it still don't know about his past. In fact if his name is really Mike Toreno. I think that the government gave him different names everytime he's assign on a mission.

[@BigDaddy-vk6rv]

Toreno! TORENO! One of the many characters I looked forward to! I was hoping to gets some questions answered. Some were like his "death" and how he knew all about his knowledge with Tenpenny. There was some stuff that I noticed like when Toreno sends supplies to his guys but the supplies look like what The Truth wanted off of that army train! One thing that baffled me was When did Carl learn of Mike's last name? Probably somewhere offscreen but I wish we got more out of it. Another was when Carl says "I told you my bad man!" When exactly did Carl say that? The last Carl and Toreno moments was when Carl shot Toreno out of the sky. I wish things like that could of been dove into more but I understand you situation and hoped to your fast recovery!

[@trenchlords3381]

Good to see another season done

[@TheCriminalHistorian]

Nope, 2 more episodes to go.

[@trenchlords3381]

@@TheCriminalHistorian word plz be Dave Norton

[@jedipadwan20]

@@TheCriminalHistorian wait for real homes I thought this was the last one till season four

[@maxturbo45]

Idk how close we are to the S.3 finale, but for S.4 premier, it should be Darko... He's from GTA IV and it's S.4 :) 16:00 you know you have quality when you don't use the same scene from previous episodes... (CJ's episode it was dark [I think] ) 26:28 ah yes... adding gameplay features to fit your narrative, 100% gamer move 😎

[@duncangaming4165]

bruh

[@sessionbox4256]

Thanks

[@stevengrvp]

This is one I have been waiting for Mike t annoys like James woods annoys Peter Griffin

[@henryscarsnz]

I love the desert purple sky

[@NobleSavior]

He kinda looks like Saul Goodman

[@duncangaming4165]

and talks like him

[@NobleSavior]

@@duncangaming4165 I kinda hear it now

[@HikikomoriDev]

Very nice production.

[@dontbelikeme9165]

Did Toreno actually know CJ killed Jizzy and T-bone?

[@Schyzzbrah]

Awesome work

[@RoachDoggJr2112]

I know it's a long shot but they should bring back Mike for GTA VI.

[@jeffdavis8590]

I find it funny that most people think that Mike Toreno was his real name. CJ met the man while he was under cover. I seriously doubt he used his real name while under cover in a drug cartel. He simply doesn't correct CJ when he keeps calling him that name because it was probably an added bit of security if CJ couldn't even give the real name of his contact if captured.

[@mccormickchainsaw]

22:27 “here now don’t screw around”

[@ProjectSonicRelase]

Oh piece of candy

[@ashleyedwards7406]

I was thinking that 😂😂😂😂

[@vitobucatini51]

Cheap pimp from the movie Casino

[@LScentral]

Nice documentary brother

[@Jack-Eugen]

Awesome video man you make the best videos and about the characters too

[@andrewfernandes6906]

Make a video on Richado Diaz

[@Samrat74737]

I am the guy who likes mystery and some govt secret things the Mike toreno was perfect guy he gave many missions which are secret to society and also his appreance was cool his behaviour was as imagined he was perfect character. I hope we get more like him or any single character in gta 6

[@Ko700el]

best fanfic i ever read about toreno was that his father was the person we know as the truth.....which is why nobody got after cj and the truth for their 2 missions against the military

[@picklebob3885]

Welcome back my man

[@andrewfernandes6906]

Make a video on the mendez brothers

[@patrick7799]

it's not explained how Toreno knows about CJ's mother's death

[@landan1473]

He's apart of the government you think a government agent wouldn't do a background check on a guy he's always working with.

[@vancemilburn2602]

Please don't forget about Sweet. "CJ's brother."

[@mr.pillsbury7610]

Love You Bro!!!

[@MrBronx61]

I HATE that friggin' "N.O.E." mission

[@Muhfariztopvideosshortsstats08]

Mike toreno Look at Mike Toreno’s airport and house in las Venturas

[@jamieoconnor1916]

Thanks for the Intel man I thought tourino was a great character 👍 😀 👌

[@ellDiavolo666]

dude this is some quality shit. subscribed

[@Rosteg2406]

26:33 way too relateable

[@trenchlords3381]

Another good video

[@Samsonig]

More epic content

[@oliverpony]

I just call him James Woods

[@digitalsupersaiyan3970]

Eddie Pulaski next please