Who Is Sam Fisher? A Splinter Cell Retrospective (Splinter Cell, Pandora Tomorrow, Chaos Theory)

An analysis of Sam Fisher and the first three Splinter Cell games.
Details on your OPSAT (And in the notes below!):
-With regards to Japanese Concentration Camps during World War II, I went back-and-forth deciding whether the term ‘concentration’ or ‘internment’ were better. The camps Japanese Americans were forced into fit the definition of concentration camps (below), and there’s actually an interesting debate regarding the subject. I’ve provided some links below if you’re interested. From reading the sources below as well as others, I think the use of concentration camp is appropriate.
Definition:
www.merriam-webster.com/dicti...
Japanese American Citizens League:
jacl.org/wordpress/wp-content...
Poynter:
www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/...
NPR:
www.npr.org/sections/publiced...
-I called Korematsu v US one of the worst Supreme Court decisions but didn’t cite sources (I’m not an expert on the history of the US Supreme Court). However, considering the decision allowed American citizens to be forcibly moved out of their homes and into camps, I think it’s a reasonable evaluation to make.
-Hocking did some writing on the original Splinter Cell, too. I wrote ‘level designer’ just to keep things simple (as far as I can tell, that was his ‘main’ job).
-There may be a different way of looking at Coldeboeuf. His profile says he was arrested for voyeurism and that the charges were dropped. The details are scarce and it’s not pushed hard in dialogue. With all that said, I don’t think the game is trying to put you in the same position it does with the guards that torture Morgenholt (especially since Sam doesn’t mention Coldeboeuf’s legal troubles).
-I also said, when talking about Coldeboeuf and Dahlia, ‘Saving both characters…’. I didn’t catch this until I was editing, but you don’t ‘save’ Dahlia, you just spare her.
-I said Splinter Cell consists of two trilogies. This leaves Splinter Cell: Essentials out, which I will talk about in part two.
-I’m not currently working on part two, but it will be made one day. I promise.
Links:
Fairer Sects Interview with Clint Hocking:
web.archive.org/web/200601110...
Mitch Dyer’s history of Ubisoft Montreal:
www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/...
Game Critics Interview With Clint Hocking:
gamecritics.com/thom-moyles/3...
The Mind of Hussein-PBS Frontline, 1991
archive.org/details/TheMindof...
Footage of US Marine Corps During WW2:
archive.org/details/CEP_00_075
Church Committee Hearings:
www.c-span.org/video/?409718-...
Challenge of Ideas:
archive.org/details/Challeng1961
Challenge of Democracy:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_...
Iran Coup D'etat
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Ir...
Assassination attempts on FIdel Castro
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassi...
Indonesian Occupation of East Timor
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indones...
Find Our Podcasts Here:
-KZbin: / @thegamingdiscoursepod...
-iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
-Soundcloud: @thegamingdiscourse
Gaming Discourse Twitter: @GamingDiscourse
GD Facebook: GamingDiscourse

[@thespaceseal]

I genuinely don't understand how this only has 600 views. It's such a great video!

[@CarCompilationChannel93]

It's at 17k now

[@Unknown-ow5xy]

21k

[@BlueMarsalis]

As someone who absolutely loves both Double Agents, despite their myriad issues, I would like to see a part 2 and 3 if necessary.

[@antoniojones3090]

2 years later and still waiting for part 2 😢 I love Splinter Cell retrospectives and this is a really good one

[@EggBastion]

knock knock

[@user-ms7yk2hb8b]

It’s here

[@CarCompilationChannel93]

Did you watch it yet?

[@EleanorNL]

Don't leave us hanging!

[@H4S5A4N79]

Hope to see a part 2 to this.

[@dside_ru]

You can now!

[@jamppamaattori]

Great video. I wish Ubisoft understood Sam/Splinter Cell and would realize what a rare gem they have in their posession. Same goes for Ghost Recon.

[@jeremiahgrayest]

part 2 when?

[@chickenmonger123]

Don’t miss that your mission scoring is heavily bent in favor of non-lethality. This adds a dimension to the nature of your involvement. It’s much better for everyone I you don’t kill anyone except specific targets. That’s the point. Made Chaos Theory one of the most hellish, and satisfying experiences I’ve had. I went full non lethal, no alarm. I liked it a lot. And it felt like the truer Sam Fisher. A man forced to do things he’d rather not. And his country would hang him out to dry if he got caught. But nonetheless attempting to square that with the necessity of his job. Or just go full psychopath. You are more clearly helping your country “win” via that path. 2 different narratives that way. You seem to want a condemnation. The game wants you to consider it yourself. Condemn it. Or not. It’s happening either way. Sam can’t really change it. Nor could any individual really. That’s an issue society has to have a discourse on, and act powerfully and decisively to change it. I think that’s part of the point.

[@MadmanGoneMad2012]

Thats funny becausr i thought Chaos theory is the easiest game in the first four games.

[@theevilgood]

I would caution against using gameplay to justify which path you think is canon. By that logic I could just as easily point out that Panther Style in Blacklist is based around stealth and lethality, and that Panther is Sam's callsign within 3E.

[@kevinrodriguez-gv3iq]

Love the chanel, this is an insane amount of quality for someone so small. Soon you'll blow up

[@trilltron2885]

Its like history channel (when it was good) but for gaming. So dope.

[@auroraquest6241]

I’m DESPERATELY needing a part 2 of this!!!

[@1chibanKasuga]

This is one of the best video on splinter cell and the only that goes truly deep into the story of the first 3.

[@FreedomRajee]

How does this not have 1 million views???

[@lionocyborg6030]

Give us part 2! I want to hear about Double Agent (both versions), Essentials and Conviction!

[@cbxrk]

I come back to this video quite a bit

[@raymondhughley3696]

Same!!

[@user-sm1zk8ur3h]

This was a great retrospective on my favorite game series splinter cell

[@TheGamingDiscourse]

Part Two is here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaOVoWOulLNnjbc Important notes on your OPSAT (and below): -With regards to Japanese Concentration Camps during World War II, I went back-and-forth deciding whether the term ‘concentration’ or ‘internment’ was better. The camps Japanese Americans were forced into fit the definition of concentration camps (below), and there’s actually an interesting debate regarding the subject. I’ve provided some links below if you’re interested. From reading the sources below as well as others, I think the use of concentration camp is appropriate. Definition: www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concentration%20camp Japanese American Citizens League: jacl.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Power-of-Words-Rev.-Term.-Handbook.pdf Poynter: www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/2020/why-we-should-stop-saying-japanese-americans-were-interned-in-world-war-ii/ NPR: www.npr.org/sections/publiceditor/2012/02/10/146691773/euphemisms-concentration-camps-and-the-japanese-internment -I called Korematsu v US one of the worst Supreme Court decisions but didn’t cite sources (I’m not an expert on the history of the US Supreme Court). However, considering the decision allowed American citizens to be forcibly moved out of their homes and into camps, I think it’s a reasonable evaluation to make. -Hocking did some writing on the original Splinter Cell, too. I wrote ‘level designer’ just to keep things simple (as far as I can tell, that was his ‘main’ job). -There may be a different way of looking at Coldeboeuf. His profile says he was arrested for voyeurism and that the charges were dropped. The details are scarce and it’s not pushed hard in dialogue. WIth all that said, I don’t think the game is trying to put you in the same position it does with the guards that torture Morganholt (especially since Sam doesn’t mention Coldeboeuf’s legal troubles). -I also said, when talking about Coldeboeuf and Dahlia, ‘Saving both characters…’. I didn’t catch this until I was editing, but you don’t ‘save’ Dahlia, you just spare her. -I said Splinter Cell consists of two trilogies. This leaves Splinter Cell: Essentials out, which I will talk about in part two. -Finally, in case you’re wondering, I’m not currently working on part two, but it will be made one day. I promise.

[@JohnSmith-gb5vg]

The Gaming Discourse I notice that lately the history narrative is changing from “concentration camp” to “death camp” in relation to the nazi regime. So, our (USA) narrative should also reflect from “internment camp” to “concentration camp”.

[@splinterquake]

Hey, man. Thanks for the video and for clarifying. It was VERY informative. Can't wait for Part Two! But still, take your time. Subbed!

[@greatdelusion7654]

I love how you incorporated the game’s exceptional BGM into the general narration. Phenomenal analysis of the trilogy. This is some serious quality content. Keep it up.

[@RAVEN-uj5zq]

My number one Saga of all time SPLINTER CELL, i love this game •:)

[@daveskeet1489]

Will you be doing a part two soon?

[@Daniel.Anugerah]

As an indonesian its really interesting to see my home included in a game and gets talked about in more than just a passing manner. Great video!

[@cherminatorDR]

You're right, Doug - I wouldn't SHOOT an old friend

[@adrianr.2603]

Dude this is such a great video. I got sad when it ended

[@chris.shamblin]

Excellent video! I would love to see a second installment.

[@htf2387]

Very informative. Thanks for this!

[@jaysanjanabel5092]

Very deep study. I really enjoyed, thank you for making this!

[@danielfernandez0058]

This was great! You should do a follow-up to this video :D

[@mia8710]

This was an amazing video! I really enjoyed it. Thanks for making this, man.

[@GabrielKnightz]

Thank you for making this video. It is exceptional. A Splinter Cell fan.

[@AceX47]

Great video essay, no doubt you made me feel nostalgic about one of my beloved franchises of my childhood.

[@ToTheMaxGaming1]

Thankyou for uploading this, it’s the only video I could find explaining the splinter cell story line

[@GypsyEyez_]

Very engaging essay - I loved it!! We have to bring SC back!

[@alan2142]

Wao. One of the best video explaining splinter cell and their first 3 games. Thanks for the great time.

[@rvv27]

This video is gold for video game narrative writers

[@skimasker3049]

Chaos Theory had the best music in the whole franchise.

[@jordancooke5980]

Hands down

[@samfisher9661]

No it didn't as a big fan of splinter cell i disagree the only music that i like and fits perfectly with the atmosphere is that song that plays in the penthouse level chaos theory music it doesn't fit with the atmosphere of the game and it's kinda annoying the game is good but the songs are annoying the first one and pandora tomorrow had the best soundtrack

[@BlueMarsalis]

Double Agent, I prefer Michael McGann

[@rafadrath7481]

Binge watching your content at the moment. You're one of the best gaming channels on KZbin. You deserve much more and I hope it will come soon. Please, keep up the good work and thank you for all of the amazing content you put out here. 🙏

[@iRekishi]

Phenomenal video

[@2sallads]

Brilliant video. This is a great analysis to an aspect not really talked about probably due to most people overlooking the story and character aspects and quickly writing them off as boring political war stories.

[@silverscut]

Will there be a part 2?

[@usa-1129]

Had a strange feeling when I realized l we crossed the threshold the first splinter cell is closer to the time of the Soviet Union than we are now. The coldwar seemed so ancient when I was 12.

[@cxrrvptxd713]

this is amazing :)

[@bluesoapxr]

We need a Sam fisher movie, and new games featuring Sarah fisher since Sam is old now.

[@frankcruz8863]

Where Is Part 2

[@artaviawilliamson5380]

Great video!

[@Paulino813]

What an excellent video

[@Chiefahleaf]

I'm curious if they are going to go more indepth about the moral ambiguity in the remake of splinter cell 1 especially with 9/11 being very distant than when the original released.

[@bilbo_skywalker]

great video

[@kalashnikid47]

Part 2 when?

[@billyhaxinton3473]

this video needs more views

[@billyhaxinton3473]

mainly so we can get a part 2 lol

[@crispcoffee7958]

Nice video

[@GetOffMyDick00]

Name of the track from 21:19 onward?

[@eval_is_evil]

**high pitch sound** Let's do this

[@TigerGeorgeUK]

Excellent piece. Interesting to consider the degree to which this series pulls its punches before making any explicit criticism of the US and state violence, and whether MGS does or does not. MGS certainly buries its critique under jargon, and wild fantasy characters, but perhaps its a bit more pointed than Splinter Cell... Having said that, they both seem to give one message the strongest: that the powers that be are essentially just as fickle, morally compromised, and hypocritical as those that they act against. Funny how both Snake and Sam are just simply along for the ride, somehow resigned to stay disengaged with the shady revelations that abound in their line of work. They are the perfect characters for sidestepping the responsibility of taking a political stance, while sill holding a tenuous moral one. It's great fun to live out your spy fantasy, but heaven forbid some of that politics should get in the way! It's bad for sales, after all! For the record, i absolutely love splinter cell.

[@areaperii998]

MORE SPLINTER CELL

[@TheOnlyKirk]

Part two just came out…..it’s gas

[@NathanBonline]

how do u continue to produce such quality content and get so little views. Please work on ur outreach!

[@PhantomSnake84]

The original Splinter Cell trilogy is so good because of it's absolute laser focus on what it's actually trying to do. It's a pure single player experience but with no obnoxious interruptions every five seconds like overlong cutscenes, hijacking your camera control to blatantly show you something like you're a moron, "press X not to die" moments, a big waypoint telling you exactly where to go at all times, there are no useless collectibles to bog down the pacing and have you annoyingly search every corner for, no ridiculous skins or stupid weapons that ruined Rainbow Six and no open world map full of "content" which is actually just all filler and there just for the sake of being there. The original Splinter Cell trilogy is the most underrated series of all time because it's so good at being a realistic depiction of what it's like to be a covert, black ops commando dropped into these missions with nothing but your own weapons and resources. You're there to do your mission and that's it. People complain the games are too "linear" but they're not, you're just not meant to fuck around like it's GTA with your hot pink coloured DLC assault rifle and stupid clown skin you paid 3.99 on the store for. Modern developers could learn a lot from this amazing series of games in that it really is quality over quantity.

[@120steveo]

👍

[@purefoldnz3070]

FISHER!!!

[@user-ly3cr4bt7b]

Finally someone takes this shit seriously

[@h.f1093]

i really hate it when people make videos about splinter cell and tell people how brutal he can be. hes a brutal as you want. i finished every splinter cell wihtout killing a single person on purpose. its your choice, not his. my sam is not a murderer. good video though.

[@areaperii998]

You stretch the truth pretty hard here talking about US history. I was the most blown away with you saying we had the Japanese in “concentration” camps? How about no. Internment camps is what those were. My family knows the difference well. My grandfather was reduced to a pile of ashes in a real concentration camp. Comparing the US morality to that is quite pathetic and displays a clear lack of historical understanding. Where yes the internment camps were wrong, they also didn’t constitute a crime against a humanity itself like a concentration camp does.

[@raymondhughley3696]

You should check out the host comments from a few months ago addressing what youre talking about

[@areaperii998]

@@raymondhughley3696 didn’t see them