Why Panam is Cyberpunk’s Best Girl | Cyberpunk 2077 Character Analysis & Explained

[@lydiscott]

💥 playwt.link/shapedbystories - Download War Thunder for FREE and get your bonuses! #ad Thank you so much for watching guys! Let me know what you think of Panam and what you think the best ending to Cyberpunk is :D

[@happyninja42]

One of the things I love about Panam compared to the other love interests, is her reaction when she learns about V's terminal condition. When you go do the aquatic scene with Judy, and she learns your dying, her reaction was just "Oh....huh...wow that sucks." This is the woman you just had a literal mind meld with, opened your heart to, and potentially bumped uglies with if you are FemV. And she is about as moved by your terminal condition, as if you had told her that you were microwaving their dinner. Panam on the other hand, literally mobilizes an army to try and help you storm whatever corpo hellhole you need her to, to try and save you. There is ZERO hesitation, she literally just walks out the tent, turns to her allies, and starts making plans. To me, THAT is why Panam is best gurl.....that and....well that tank scene was really damn hot too, BUT STILL! That is secondary (very close secondary) to her being 100% on board with helping, with every resource she has available. No hesitation, you don't even ask her, she just does it herself. Love Panam

[@warlordofbritannia]

Yas, you get that bacon!

[@warlordofbritannia]

@@happyninja42 I think it’s pretty clear that Judy is in shock. She just lost her…girlfriend isn’t the right word but I guess we’ll roll with it, and now her new girlfriend tells her she has a terminal disease with weeks to live. All this right after the most touching and intimate experience, of course. I don’t think she’s capable of fully understanding in that moment.

[@CMFL77]

congrats on the sponsor!!! You've earned it!

[@lschantz64]

I love your break downs, they are well thought out and very to the point. I am not sure how long it would be, that said have you considered doing an in depth break down of the different endings?

[@spyrosgkoumas5339]

I love how my corpo V gets to live all the life paths night city has to offer. Starts as a corpo, becomes a streetkid merc and finally becomes a nomad.

[@lydiscott]

Agreed!

[@RexZShadow]

I do find corpo V just the best background for most of the endings. You had one life switch to a drastically different one at the start of the game and also have a much deeper tie with Jackie knowing him for years already. Where street kid doesn't feel like much changed at all. That and both street kid and nomad knew Jackie for way too short period of time.

[@FgyjtIngenieroEuropeo]

Same with my V, he went from been a corpo dougebag and became a normal person at the end. Truly, the best character arc ever.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Going to watch this later, but before I forget: I love how Saul is used. It would be so easy to make him a stick-in-the-mud traditionalist to Panam’s energetic youth. Instead CDPR wrote a more realistic and resonant conflict-not a difference of values, merely methods and measurements of their current situation.

[@lydiscott]

YESSSSS!!! 100% agree, he’s so much more than just an obstacle in human form lol! Love Saul’s character.

[@SirChill-gm8bh]

Still a dumbass for even trusting Biotechnica though

[@thecursed01]

yes. could could have made him a typical "woman bad" -mr manly man. but no. he respects her character and acknowledges that they disagree on that matter, not motivation/heart. but msity best girl... then panam and the girl who talks to the AI sode vneding machine. she really needed a friend to pull herself together. that's all she needed. i need a mod to bevome that friend for her, and occasional updates about her getting better :)

[@ricks474]

When I first met Panam.....I really disliked her for her failures and antics and instability. Her unnecessary rebellion to her cool group. But in that first playthrough, my ending was assaulting Arasaka with the Aldecaldos and leaving with Panam (I was Girl V) it's like you invest so much through the story in her, it pays off big as she's a loyal friend till death.

[@storyfirstgamingyt]

I will never be able to choose anything other than the Star ending. Not only for Panam, but also because I feel choosing the quiet life with loved ones is just a good way to go.

[@ForestRaptor]

The quiet life is not where the Star ending goes though ^^"

[@clarencewalters338]

thing is that's not the quiet life, you painted a target on the Aldecaldos back and got several of their members killed to bring an AI replica of V's mind to life for 6 months. The Don't Fear the Reaper ending is the only way to go.

[@BigIronEnjoyer]

Star ending with corpo origin Riches to rags in everything superficial. Rags to riches in everything that really matters.

[@beardedgeek973]

@@clarencewalters338 I don't get these arguments. Dying alone without hope is so not a choice, period, but on top of that have people seriously not paid attention? The Aldecaldos are HUGE, but also their livelihood is literally to piss off corps. The Basilisk is just a small thing, they do things like that all the time; stealing things from corps, killing corpos, smuggling things from one corpo to another... . Hell even the Wraiths make a lot of their money just jumping corpo transports.

[@clarencewalters338]

@@beardedgeek973 no, but making Arasaka's permanent shitlist is different than robbing an antique tank from militech, if V sides with Arasaka that's bad, if V gives control of mikoshi to the Rogue AI masquerading as Alt, THAT'S REALLY BAD. Giving the Neural Matrix and Songbird in exchange for a cure is infinitely worse than the first 2. It's the conversation V and SoMi can have in the car heading to the spaceport, oftentimes when you're drowning you're going to drown every last soul who's trying to help you while trying to help yourself

[@ColMortimer50]

I really like Panam and the Aldecaldos story but to me Jackie is my ride or die. The sun ending with don't fear the reaper is the best in my opinion because it is the ultimate expression of what Jackie wanted you and him to achieve. V is not just known at the Afterlife but owns it. V plays a central role in bringing Arisaka to its knees and kills Adam Smasher (which also feels like solid payback for Jackie's death and corpo V) on their own to become a solo of such renown that Mr Blue Eyes seek them out to attempt an almost impossible heist.

[@lydiscott]

Aww I do really love your take on the sun ending and Jackie. This actually makes me see it in a new light! 😄

[@ravendelacour1917]

Another asepct with Saul accepting Pan Am as a co-leader is that he is also accepting V, an extremely powerful warrior that would be an major asset to the clan.

[@lydiscott]

Good point!

[@DarthRellek55]

IMO the best way to play is Male V starting as a corpo then falling down to be a streetkid with jackie then finishing the game as a Nomad with Panam as your girl. so you get the taste of all lifestyles in your playthrough

[@lydiscott]

Ohhh I like this!

[@geenerheimer9266]

Every time I play that's the natural progression lol

[@ricks474]

As Jackie at first seems to be pushed oppun the player for you to care for him, Panam and her story is slowly threaded in your story for you to care for her gripes and observations. I loved Saul , seemed like a true leader , but Panam is that boldness needed for that family to survive and thrive. Easy to side with her later in the game, unlike with Jackie it was short played and fast lived. The only time I felt something for Wells was the first time I played and went to his ofrenda with his mom and siding with misty

[@ChairmanMeow1]

In a game world full of liars telling lies, Panam is an oasis of authenticity.

[@lydiscott]

Very true!

[@Aki-kh2qe-StreetKidZZZ]

No she's not. She DID lie few times and she DOES abandoned you when you chose to do the procedure and survive without cybernetics and she didn't visit, hell she ghosts you despite knowing everything and make her brother tells you not to talk to her again and she has another dude. That also was expanded further in the phantom of liberty. The only time she remains "loyal" is when you disregard your life ticking away and go with her which more than likely results to the the ending I mentioned above after your end. Panam fans always try to not just excuse her but lie her way out .

[@Aki-kh2qe-StreetKidZZZ]

​@@lydiscottvery very false

[@alberpunk]

@@Aki-kh2qe-StreetKidZZZ The thing with Panam's ending though is she mentions that she has contacts. Of course, that may sound like it'll lead to nowhere, mentioned in CyberpunkRED however is that the Aldecaldos have connections with StormTech Corp who specialize in bio tech, nano tech and transform virus research. They also happen to have operations in Colarado and an office on the Crystal Palace which could also explain the Sun ending. This could potentially lead to saving V's life so in the end, Panam does want to help V. She also puts her life on the line when you fight Adam Smasher, which is about as much as you can do for someone you care about when you say fuck it and fight the NC boogeyman himself

[@michamarkowski2204]

@@alberpunk yet she turned her back on V after he wen't with the procedure. I get it was 2 years, she could have moved on, found another guy etc. but ghosting V? That was cruel.

[@damienjohnson3450]

You can actually see Panam and Nash when you first enter the Afterlife with Jackie. I was over 1k hours playtime before I found this out.

[@Swedishmafia101MemeCorporation]

Panam Palmer is the only force in the world that could ever compel me to play as a male character.

[@SovereignRaven]

literally same

[@martinjrgensen8234]

Same. She is such a fantastic character

[@lukum55]

Get the mod that allows you to romance Panam as a female. They recorded all the Panam romance lines for female V so it works like a charm.

[@sahwaiii]

@@lukum55 still don't get how that mod is still around after the Judy one got nuked

[@Swedishmafia101MemeCorporation]

@@lukum55 Idk it just feels wrong to me to forcefully change a character's sexuality with mods. I personally don't download those mods.

[@dredgen0268]

Alright fine, I’ll play Cyberpunk again.

[@christophermzdenek]

Be right there with you after FSR3.1 drops for it.

[@chefrowlet]

Panam is everything to me... When I heard there would be romances I was kinda expecting Mass Effect style "talk to the pretty one enough times until they agree to bed you", and her intro bent over a car's engine didn't really help disperse any assumptions. But damn. She was so raw, she felt like a real person--flawed and insecure and conflicted but doing her damnedest. The relationship didn't feel like accruing "affection points", it felt like getting to know her and proving she could trust my V. The tank scene felt like a natural heat-of-the-moment escalation instead of a quest reward for maxing out her affection. The Aldecaldo ending with the gang and her... So wonderfully bittersweet (only slightly ruined by how i went nuts in the character creator egged on by friends i was screen-sharing with and this was long before they added the ability to change your appearance lmao). Panam and Judy are the best video game romances I've ever experienced, where even the sex scene add to their characterization, where their flaws are believable and sympathetic, where they aren't just The Pretty Ones You Talk To Enough Times Until They Agree To Bed You like so many other RPGs... I love this game and its characters so much bro. I can't wait for the next one.

[@thatpunkcatte]

Ride or die... Until you get put into a coma and then she decides you're the worst thing she's ever met

[@burniejarvis9298]

Hated that.

[@darthmaul3228]

there are literally theories that she killed herself cause of you… and even tho if she is still alive v is the one who didn‘t warn her about the operation

[@MarwolfAeducan]

Like reed couldn't just his or her loved ones told them straight up and kept them updated ​@@darthmaul3228

[@TheSuperQuail]

@@darthmaul3228 Can't see Panam doing that.

[@Empowermentsphere111]

Not telling the entire story. She had no idea V was in a coma. She thought he ghosted her. Mitch makes this clear that she was heartbroken over what she thought was the truth about the end of their relationship and that she was just getting out of a deep depression, because she thought she had just been ghosted by the man she fell in love with.

[@Fresh3v0]

I think panem represents someone who wants to fight for what she believes is right for her people while Night City is about stepping over people to get what you want, and as V you naturally want to protect this idea

[@lydiscott]

Love this idea!

[@Marcell2aG]

Panam is the definition of a real one. No ulterior motives, no BS. Just someone trying to find her way and achieve balance. And she’s willing to die for her chooms and ideals. She’s the perfect love interest for Male V, who has encountered nothing but liars, cheats, and thugs almost his entire life. She’s the realest person he’s ever met. They balance each other out perfectly too.

[@Shannarenea]

I don’t think gender has anything to do with it v will have the personality and experiences they do regardless of if male or female panam will vibe regardless with em

[@ravendelacour1917]

As for the endings, I so wanted a Don't Fear the Reaper run with a Star ending that has Saul alive just as the DftR Sun ending has Rogue alive. "Just had to take care of a few things before we left, Pan Am".

[@lydiscott]

YUP that would be awesome honestly!!!

[@sarusthelorevore523]

YES

[@denniswijker7162]

So I just finished my first play through, and I made the STUPID mistake of listening to Johnny, instead of going with my gut and calling Panam. Johnny convinced me when he said many of the Aldecaldo's would die, and it would be on my conscience. So I went with his plan instead. AND BOY did it piss me off (the gameplay was super fun btw, blasting through Arasaka with Rogue was such a good time), ESPECIALLY once I was done and found out Judy broke up with me to leave NC, and I was not given the option to leave with her. So I really wanted the Sun ending with the caveat that you can leave with Judy (potentially with the Aldecaldo's).

[@ravendelacour1917]

@@denniswijker7162 There is ironically synchronicity in this. The Moon card in almost all interpretations refers to intuition and the guidance the subconscious and emotions provide while the Sun card represents the rational mind and the guidance of the intellect. Johnny is completely out of touch with his emotions so it's fitting following his advice leads you to the Sun ending. To go further down the rabbit hole, the Star card is often seen as an evolution of the Moon card where one has become attuned to their subconscious and both are associated the Feminine. Sun card is associated with the masculine. Regarding your love interests the ending where you stay with the female interests is the Star ending and the ones where the male interests stay with you is the Sun ending. (And if you're curious what the evolution of the Sun card is, it's the Judgement card representing the highest level of rational discernment. V hasn't attained this level of self-awareness in the Sun ending yet as they are still chasing glory and egotic goals. However the "and the story continues" ending shows they are still on the path and may attain it eventually.)

[@jackthorton10]

Very Very Interesting!

[@L3FT2BURN]

I've always seen V as the voice of reason for Panam, the one she'll listen to. So the stars ending is still the best, even aside from Saul's death because while Saul is no longer around to guide her, V is and they've got a good head on their shoulders. They're (by the end) quite wise and are usually the voice of reason between the two.

[@simarjeetsingh872]

Nice timing on video drop as today is panam's birthday

[@lydiscott]

OH WOW

[@calebbridges4748]

​@@Gonzalo_30.... You don't exist! You're a liar on the Internet! Also this is a super weird interaction, dude. If she didn't answer, have you considered going away?

[@calebbridges4748]

@@Gonzalo_30 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@thetattoodmini]

Having played through the game and noticing several things from the game, I can pinpoint why Panam is such a draw for most guys who play the game... because she represents what men most want, but struggle to find. You see the struggle V goes through since the beginning, having everything and losing it all, being thrown into the worst in a city that eats the weak alive, and trusted allies are few and far between. you begin with Jackie, that big brother type that takes you under his wing and steers you towards a future, teaches you the ins and outs of Night City... and then is taken from you just when you think you're about to score big. As you go through the game, you come to the doll house and the AI has you talking to the doll and, for me at least, she tells you of how you want someone that will be there for you, that can let you be vulnerable without using it to hurt you, someone loyal to you and needs you to be there for them, even if they can handle their own business. By the time you meet Panam, you've already met several people that may or may not have your best interest in mind... and that is why Panam is amazing. Because from the beginning, she is strong, she may but heads, but she has your back. She doesn't put you down and is grateful for your efforts. By the time you get to the romance with her, she is this woman who cares about you, about your safety and well being... and she is absolutely ready to go to war for you. If you choose the ending that allows you to leave with the Aldecaldoes, you see V and Panam sitting together as they race across the desert and you know that even though V is going to die, his days are going to be better than anything he had in Night City. That is what a lot of guys I've talked to about the game have echoed... that even if we knew we were dying, life would be so much better if we had a woman that would fight for us, would be loyal to us, that would care about us. A woman who would love us for who we are and accept us as we are. When it's so hard to find people who can be genuine anymore, when it's hard to find people who aren't trying to use each other to get something out of them... the idea of finding someone like Panam feels like.. a dream.

[@bw5020]

This was heavy, brodie... 🫂 I felt this profoundly

[@EmmettF.W.]

Damn. That hit the mark, no doubt. Brought a tear to my eye. My playthroughs are Nomad, through and through.

[@jackthorton10]

This.. is why us Choom’s gotta stick together, raises Niue Pistol… To Cyberpunk's!

[@WeisheitWave]

Never thought a comment would make me cry.Thanks. Real

[@jothamdockie5172]

I'm so glad i found my panam irl and it's my wife 🥰

[@Emperor.Penguin.]

I've said before, in my main playthrough, I got the "Face in the Crowd" ending, and by and large, I was satisfied with it being my "canon" but losing Panam hurt.... it hurt. 😕

[@lydiscott]

Yeahhhhh I hear ya!

[@craigmoye2322]

Game rant thinks that might be the cannon ending because pretty much anyone over the age of 50 is key to the cyberpunk series

[@joshuapatrick682]

I think in their desire to show the extreme consequences of the Phantom Liberty ending they completely effed up everyone’s characterization. They all know what you’re going through and that this could happen. I think them all basically deciding you’re a dead beat for ghosting them in this situation is just so bizarre.

[@gx4012]

I think Panam is one of those women every man has dreamt of but unfortunately you end up waking up too early

[@markittystuff]

I freaking love the grisly reminders of V's journey overlayed with Cyberpunk's grim music. It all goes so well and makes everything feel that much more weighted more poignant more finalized to everything you've done in V's shoes.

[@lydiscott]

The music in this game is so GOOOOOD

[@Bb24138]

On my first playthrough, i had no idea what i was doing, i had struggled with game ending thoughts. When i heard panam talking me through that phone call and telling V she'd fight arasaka with him, i genuinely cried

[@RachelLouren28]

aww

[@mc_zittrer8793]

I personally like River. I mean on top of him having some dense Blade Runner energy in his design, he probably changes more radically than anyone else by the end. In one of the endings, he like smuggles out some weapons for an armed rebel group. The only way he'd be anymore punk is if he got some liberty spikes.

[@Cecilia-hb4vk]

I was left feeling I was the only one that liked him. My favourite romance, it's too cute

[@tmage23]

@@Cecilia-hb4vk River lost me when he pressured my V to be with him in front of his sister and his kids. That was very inappropriate. He was barely friendzoned after that.

[@niceguyniko]

It's a testament to the game that both Panam and Jackie made me feel like they existed in my world. The writing is so good.

[@N0umenalReality]

I love everything cyberpunk you make.....please keep them coming! awesome work!

[@lydiscott]

Aww thank you! 😄

[@_1Sentry1_]

On my many playthroughs of cyberpunk as well as maturing as a person i've come to realise that Panam and Judy are FAR from the best. The only two actual ride or die characters are River Ward and Johnny Silverhand. Johnny literally agrees to lay down his life for you and in the 'don't fear the reaper ending' he's literally cheering you on the entire way. If you choose to give up your body he actually tries multiple times to stop you and admits he's scared of what will become of V. He encourages you to never stop fighting. Now for River he is literally the only one apart from johnny who doesn't leave V. If you romance him and stay in night city as the queen of the afterlife he tries to dissuade you from doing the crystal Palace heist and he cautions you about the danger of ambition because he can't face losing you. What does Panam do....she tells you she's sick of night city and that she's leaving, Judy does exactly the same thing and Kerry tells you he's pretty much married to the rockstar life style so his loyalty is nonexistent. River and Johnny put V first at literally every opportunity. Panam isn't 'best girl' if she only loves you on the condition you leave with her and give up your dreams of becoming a legend. The guys were the 'best girls' all along..... P.s the star ending isn't the best, its admitting defeat and leaving. Night city bested you. The real victory is 'don't fear the reaper'. Single handedly toppling Arasaka. Proving to be more of a psycho than Adam Smasher and ending him. Doing it entirely solo so none of our friends die and going on to be queen of the afterlife with the massive penthouse, getting a drink named after us and going on to take down the crystal palace while working for Mr Blue eyes and his promise of "gaining more than you can possibly imagine." Becoming an immortal legend like Morgan Blackhand.

[@cassplss]

To me, it boils down to "Blaze of glory or the quiet life?" The Star ending is a good quiet life ending. Sure, there are human lives lost along the way and the ending in Don't Fear The Reaper sidesteps that, but it also leaves V with deep, meaningful human connection. Don't Fear The Reaper ending loses that human connection for glory, fame, and money. Imo, they are both in contention for "Best Ending" depending on how you interpret or roleplay as V. I don't think every interpretation of V involves that strong of an ambition to become an NC legend. As for the River + Johnny, thing, yeah Johnny is your ride or die and River also expresses unyearning devotion, but people don't like River for plenty of other valid reasons. Personally I don't like the way he's characterized and his whole quest line has this glorification of vigilante cop justice that rubs me the wrong way. Characters like Judy and Panam have their own lives to live, goals to achieve, and aren't willing to sit around waiting for V because they have their own life to lead. They do love V and share a deep connection all the same as River, but they are just characterized differently. River is more sensitive, basic, and his life plan is to lead a small family life in Night City. He doesn't have greater ambitions as the leader of a clan of nomads, or have a goal to leave NC for good. If V stays in Night City, it makes plenty of sense that Panam and Judy don't want to live that life with V, no matter how much they love V, because their life paths just don't align in that way. It would be kind of silly to me if they reacted the same way that River does to V staying in NC, V at that point would have chosen to stay in Night City where Panam and Judy have nothing left to gain except for V, who's either destined to die in 6 months or less, or ghosted them for 2 years. Kerry I give you, bro was never loyal in the first place.

[@_1Sentry1_]

@@cassplss Rivers ambition is his P.I business he founded after leaving ncpd. That and Randy's medical bills. He even hints at catching a big client, how is that in anyway small ambition? The nusa ending of phantom liberty also proves how essential V was to his life given that almost as soon as she disappeared he made a string of bad/corrupt decisions and is a shadow of his former self. They literally brought out the very best in each other especially working directly together. You remember red queen's race that club you infiltrate while working the mayor assassination case, if you watch the same b'd responsible for killing the mayor which in turn induces a seizure River literally rushes in there after you. Even if you haven't dispatched the guards he'll enter that place packed with enemies entirely alone just to get to you. I'd have no doubt that if he didn't have obligations to his sister and her kids he would of came with us on the Arasaka assault. V and River really do need each other and flourish when together, that's real love man.

[@cassplss]

​@@_1Sentry1_ I definitely misspoke. River's ambitions are not "small," they are just contained still within Night City where V remains in the endings in question. I wouldn't expect Judy or Panam to upend their entire life plans to stick around with V. I wouldn't expect River to upend his life plans to stick around with V if they go to live in the badlands in The Star ending, either. That in particular struck me as a poor metric to measure "best romance option." River's breakdown in the NUSA ending isn't really a good thing either. It reeks of dependency and isn't really appealing or showing me that they should be together at all. River is definitely a committed partner who pairs well with V. People just tend to like his personality less than other romance options, and I'm in that camp as well. I just don't think Judy or Panam moving away from Night City makes them a worse partner.

[@JDog2656]

Set gameplay aside, only reason I'd try to bring down the towers and Atom Smasher would be if it would actually make a difference for NC. Put an end to the reign of those Corpos.

[@KDB349]

Cap lmao. Johnny is alright and River is cool I'll give you that. I love River. But Panam and Judy are best girl material. Both Panam and Judy has expressed numerous times that they had a desire to leave Night City and that Night City is a miserable place to be in. Which it is. The endings in which they try to stick with you in Night City y'all start to drift apart and want different things, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If someone isn't happy with you in a place it's clear to me that they will leave. Shouldn't be too shocking. Panam and Judy are incredibly Loyal and are ride or die type of girls. Experiencing their stories and not seeing that is wild to me. The same could be said for River. Dude is loyal as hell and he has a good heart in a city of scum and corruption. That's needed in a place like Night City. It's understandable why he doesn't want to leave Night City. Also living out the rest of your days in peace with your partner is very much the best ending.

[@ErenDenizMert]

I dont get why people still think V is dying 100% in 6 months. In the aldecaldos ending its implied with Panams contacts, mistys tarot cards and that shard next to the basilisk that V is gonna live a long life

[@pole8740]

thats so funny, the woman who got swindled by rouge has a contact that can save V’s life

[@JLM-y5g]

I just never really vibed with Panam, actually. I give the honor of "best girl" to Misty... if you want a real Ride or Die, it's Misty. Misty is there for you after two years, having never given up on you living. She reads you your Tarot for free, teaches you their meanings for free, and has nothing but wisdom and warnings for you... all things a struggling shop-owner would usually charge for (especially in NC). Out of everyone, she's one of the few people that didn't, and couldn't, move on without knowing your fate in the PL ending. She was always rooting for you, and there were no conditions for her friendship. I think PL does a great job of showing us who our true friends are in NC, and Panam isn't one of them with how she's written in that particular ending (the quality of her character-writing could be argued in that ending, but we can only analyze the writing we got, unfortunately).

[@lydiscott]

Oh hell yeah to Misty! Great character!

[@totallynotabot6003]

They should have had more misty stuff. She does so much for V but you can't return the favor. Jackie's girl deserves better.

[@KDB349]

Panam is definitely a true friend and a ride or die. To argue against that is insane. She'll do anything and everything to protect those she care for.

[@JLM-y5g]

@@KDB349 We can only analyze the writing we were given. Panam was not written as consistently as she should have been, and she suffered for it.

[@KDB349]

@@JLM-y5gfair enough

[@aurum262]

So, I get where you're coming from, but I'm not sure I agree with your take about the Star ending being bad for Panam. Like, maybe you're right in the strict sense that it's the worst for her, but I don't think it'll be *bad* in an absolute sense. There's three things I think you didn't consider. 1.) Panam losing Saul, but ultimately succeeding in her goal, would be the kind of thing that would mature her. After the Mikoshi raid, the training wheels would be off and she would know that. I feel like pre-Mikoshi Panam might have done something gonk like trying to stand and fight instead of running from Night City, but even in the small-but-unspecified amount of time which passes between the Mikoshi raid and the epilogue, we see her mature quite a lot. This would also thematically echo V, who (for certain playthroughs/dialogue choices) gets humbled by the Kompeki Plaza job/Jackie's death and ends up maturing decades in the short time we know them. 2.) Even after With Queen of the Highway, we see Panam and Saul not exactly having the healthiest relationship. We see Saul going behind Panam's back and not fully disclosing his motives for helping V. It's very possible that their habits of old will be too deeply ingrained for them to develop a healthy student/mentor relationship and they'll go back to fighting with each other, to their own detriment and that of the clan. 3.) Yes, Panam loses Saul. But she gains another potential mentor figure. Namely, V. If you take the Star ending, Saul will confide his motives for helping to V. The motives he *specifically didn't* confide in Panam. So clearly Saul respects V as a clan member enough to trust them to act sensibly for the benefit of the clan in a way he doesn't trust Panam. Since Panam has a very different dynamic with V compared to the one she has with Saul, there's basically no chance this mentor/mentee relationship goes bad. "But V doesn't have the same cunning or political skills Saul brings to the table!" Maybe. I agree if you play a Streetkid or Nomad lifepath. But if you play Corpo, V spends their admittedly short career playing the 8-dimensional chess of Arasaka office politics compared to the Chutes and Ladders of Nomad intra-clan politics. Judging by their remarkably quick rise through the ranks (direct subordinate/second-in-command to a division director after 3 to 7 years working there depending on what secondary education you headcanon V having, when people start working in Cyberpunk, etc.), they're really, really good at it. Especially if you play V with high Cool, their dialogue reinforces this. This is especially clear in Phantom Liberty where cool! and corpo!V are able to fairly gracefully navigate the intrigue they're presented with (the high-cool recoveries when you fumble Hanson's interrogation replies and the direct interactions with Myers are very good evidence of this). Though, of course, this assumes that the Aldecaldos' contacts are at least partially successful in helping V, so they get at least a few years to help Panam get used to leading the clan. So, all that is to say, I think the worst ending for Panam is clearly Temperance with Aldecaldo help, which knocks out 1 (Panam wouldn't mature as much if she sees Saul as dying for nothing instead of successfully sacrificing himself for the sake of the mission) and 3 (for obvious reasons). But I think how the Star rank-orders in how good an outcome it is for Panam against the other endings really depends on a lot of things which, as of the leaving of this comment, aren't established for sure. The most pessimistic interpretation, where the Aldecaldos' contacts fail, V dies in 6 months, and Panam and Saul would have had a genuinely healthy relationship, you're right. But the text very much supports an interpretation, especially with cool!corpo!V where Panam and the Aldecaldos are very much okay post-Star ending. A few other random thoughts which I couldn't fit neatly into the structure of the post above: The messages you get from Panam, Mitch, and Saul in non-Star endings seem like decent evidence that my read of 2 is correct. The Aldecaldos are still sitting around in the badlands, not really doing much of note. Especially given how they ask for your help post-Sun ending, it seems like they're really not doing especially well, like they would if Panam and Saul were working smoothly together. If they continue being stagnant, I don't see how they could avoid splintering and/or getting absorbed into Snake Nation. Corpo!star!V is really the best of all worlds as far as V's thematic journey is concerned. They start out corpo, choose/get pushed into the streetkid life during the post-prologue montage, then end up rejecting it in favor of the nomad life. No other configuration of lifepaths/endings lets you sample everything the world has to offer. It also really shows the way V progresses as a character, even with them mostly left as a blank slate, from having everything but being unable to trust anyone around them, to having nothing except a family and friends they can rely on and the maturity to know which is better. This is irrelevant to your argument that Panam won't do well post-Star, especially strictly relying on the text, but my brain can't help but recognize the completion of the character development and the fact that it makes her well suited to take on a role as a mentor figure for someone else (namely Panam).

[@themanwithnoname3250]

I'm a big fan of your analyses, and I've been waiting for you to dissect best girl for a while! Loved the video!

[@halloweye4613]

Shaped by Stories has made a new video! At a time when I needed it more than anything! Thank you!

[@scarymonsters9130]

Spunky curvy tomboy my beloved I’ll do anything for you glory to the aldecaldos

[@saintinel]

It's very pleasant listen to your storytelling, thanks & godspeed! :)

[@Finnvox616]

You're becoming my favorite youtuber, great storytelling and analysis of characters are top tier!

[@lydiscott]

Thank you so much! 😄

[@EcardEcardian]

I liked that character, Panam had pasion and fire to her, that she whated to change the way they did stuff, felt like it was more grounded writen conflic there, I also loved the nomad ending, riding into the sunset on a hovertank, with the best girl at your side. Sure that V had 2 weeks left to live, but it sure will be 2 good weeks.

[@lydiscott]

Agreed!!!

[@adamzoellner8274]

Great video, hope your channel keeps on growing!

[@kellybanks804]

Thank you for what you do. Your story telling abilities are exceptional. 👏 Keep up the hard work!

[@lydiscott]

Thanks so much for watching!!!

[@warlordofbritannia]

23:25 Man has never missed leg day, not once 😂

[@lydiscott]

he’s gotta show it off too lol

[@warlordofbritannia]

@@lydiscott Little known fact: leadership in the Aldecados is determined not just by the strength of one’s character, but also the strength of their calves.

[@caerystian]

Been playing my second playthrough after having beaten the game when it first came out. It's been great playing as a Nomad V building a friendship and romance with Panam throughout the story. Her interactions and texts have made this playthrough just delightful! Thanks for posting! :)

[@JohnDoe-zn4bg]

When I played as a ruthless snake corpo V, backstabbing Panam was one of the most painful things I did. Didn't break a sweat backstabbing Judy just to get those eddies from Maiko, but Panam had me contemplating for a good minute whether I went too far

[@lydiscott]

Gahhh it would suck to betray her in any way, have never done it myself, I have to look up on KZbin to see how those choices go lol

[@speedu_u]

You should do a deep dive into so mi/songbird at some point. The ending were you side with Reed over songbird really gives you a look as to how screwed she was from the start by her own government. Virtually coursed into something she had no interest in and gave her friendships body and mind for it. In my opinion one of the most tragic and depressing stories in night city when you really unravel it all.

[@michamarkowski2204]

Yeah, I hope V and Reed save her later from Myers, but honestly during the talk after the infamous horror scene I saw Evelyn in So Mi. Even if So Mi was somehow rescued from Myers, she would end herself.

[@speedu_u]

@@michamarkowski2204 Yea, you are probably spot on with how it ends for her. during the talk in the core she sounds like she's on her deathbed, not even the strength to properly speak and to add to the fact that we see her memories erased by the ever-growing mold that is the Blackwall. her in those final moments is how I imagine V would end up if she was to just not do anything about the chip.

[@herveglandu4847]

Panam, a wild strong beautiful female who fight for his family ..... I love her.

[@Ghostzero]

Another one in the books, solid synopsis Lydi! I honestly need to actually sit down and play Cyberpunk. Also congrats on the sponsorship and getting close to 25k!! Keep up the good work 👍 👻

[@vucovix7]

The Star ending is overall the most hopeful because if you go from what is presented in the TTRPG books, you learn that some of the Nomad clans are very technologically advanced, of course some of the events from Cyberpunk Red are somewhat conflicting with 2077, but I don't think that means all Nomads are struggling like this family of the Aldecaldos

[@PhrygianTurk]

Yea from the tarot cards to the shard next to the basilisk. Its highly implied V gets cured

[@gronthgronth2628]

For me Panam is an embodiment of saying that "hell is paved with good intentions". She may want to do something good for her people and those close to her, but due to her lack of thinking, people die around her. And because V arrives, most of the cost of her decisions either lands on V or people around, never really hurting her in bigger remark. The moment someone makes a decision that does not benefit HER, she gets angry and berates people.

[@joshuapatrick682]

Saul turned out to be s damn fine leader. Even if his strategic vision was flawed.

[@iisChOoLboy]

Honestly the PL ending where Mitch calls V, I honestly think Panam may have died going out looking for V or perhaps in some other Nomadic type action. Mitch seems extremely stand offish in terms of what he tells V, almost as if he’s leaving something out or not telling the whole story to spare V more pain. It genuinely doesn’t make sense to me that Panam would completely block V out of her life without even batting an eye when he suddenly re-emerges. Especially after everything he’s done for the Aldecaldos.

[@arianjohnson272]

See here’s another thing that people don’t notice . When you call her on the holo after waking up from a coma. Rather than a aldacaldos picture on the holo there is a huge X on the image . Which signifies in game of a dead body on your minimap.

[@zejjnt]

Good video as always, though I will never concede that Judy's reaction in Path Of Least Resistance is by far the most heartbreaking :(

[@shannendawes8725]

100% this. ☝

[@janchvatal1538]

Honestly, Panams reaction in Phantom Liberty seems unrealistic to me. Look, she and Caldos will risk their lives for V, but they wont accept that V was in coma? That is just BS. Whole this ending is painted too dark, leaving out Mama Wales and others that would take V in even though she could not wear chrome anymore. And with Aldecaldos i feel it should be same.There is so much she could still do. I understand why they took it into this extreme, but something like in case of Kerry could have been there. Family simply being away, unable to have V catch up at moment, but possibly have it in future.

[@reptomicus]

I suspect Panam may have already died.

[@janchvatal1538]

@@reptomicus Sadly Mitch is saying that she asked him to deliver message. She being dead would suck less.

[@RoballTV]

Great vid, I feel like Sauls costume choice was also meant to show him as a cooler headed future Panam. And yeah, I agree the Star isn't the best ending for the Aldecaldo's. Don't Fear the Reaper/Path of Glory is the best in my opinion. Alde's roam free, Panam still has Saul, and you... sort of. Maximum win, with the minimum loss, and the minimal hurt. Even Rogue gets closure about Johnny, cos V sticks around for his big hail Mary heist of all heists. (Now someone just needs to book Takemura in with a therapist before he does something dumb).

[@Txhop11]

Im just now finding a channel full of cyberpunk conversations… im not gonna sleep for days

[@warlordofbritannia]

The greatest strength of the Panam romance is that she feels the most like an equal to V, a legitimate partner. Judy is sweet, but perhaps too sweet; she needs V more than V needs her-something that is true for Rivers and Kenny, too. I agree with your boyfriend-I love an understated character arc, something that is shown more in behavior than, say, attitude. It’s also more realistic than a dramatic personality shift; Panam didn’t need a complete overhaul of her worldview, just experience and adjustment. And yes, bring forth the Rivers analysis. I was so ready for the direction I thought it was going, especially when it was revealed they were experimenting on autistic children (I got the ol’ Asperger’s myself)-V was about to go full Jack Kelso on the NCPD! Finally, the LA Noire sequel I never expected was here! And then it became a cliche serial child hunter story. Fudge 😅

[@ragingmonk6080]

CDPR missed an opportunity to expand the role of Panam. I beat the game twice and I play on PC so that means it was then time for mods. I installed a mod that would let me spawn in anyone as a companion (follower). I romanced her, she was with me on the end main mission so I spawned her and it was cool. Doing the side quests she would warn V of traps or chatter about something. She would taunt enemies during fights. Hang out the side of the car and shoot people that were shooting at us. If V rode a motorcycle she would not get on but she rode in the cars. So I spent a lot of time just exploring with her. I own Phantom Liberty but did not play it. Simply because of the ending.

[@andrewtyrell4795]

I wish Panam could have met Jackie.

[@pixelhand9421]

Did a male V "ganic" playthrough with no cyberware and was planning to just be a dirty boy with all the joy toys but my guy fell for Panam. The hook up in the tank while minds were melded was crazy, I hadn't been spoiled for me so I had no idea it was coming, then when she actually by your side fighting smasher, that was it. Miles ahead of Judy as far as best girl goes.

[@khurch7564]

Blessed by another video from my favorite lore choombata. Seriously dude, you're killing it. I'm so proud of you

[@miekamoore]

Another banger bro

[@lydiscott]

wow thanks BRO

[@Suprisedbuzz]

​@@lydiscott totally BRO.

[@liamgurney138]

I too went with the best ending, and it was beautiful. Especially for my V who was a streetkid and never knew anything besides Night City, to finally escape that sinister city of dreams and find love and a family was beautiful. Bonus was that Judy got out of Night City too. I'm sure they all met up somewhere out there on the road

[@chadkreutzer1552]

Thanks to the algorithm, I only discovered your channel a couple of days ago, and I have been loving your Cyberpunk content. It hits a similar note with me as Oxhorn did with Fallout. I suspect some content could be had by looking at the environmental storytelling and various terminals connected to more peripheral characters.

[@metalheadweeb7132]

Anyone else get the shivers and goosebumps when the song plays and she talks.

[@imaginyou4]

44 min special on Panam? Hell yeah choom.

[@Sonderin]

If you're being stubborn about something you truly believe, especially for good reason, then that's conviction. Conviction is strong; delusion is weak.

[@JDog2656]

But what separates conviction from delusion?

[@Sonderin]

@@JDog2656 Hmm, good point depending on the context. Perhaps I should have said conviction; adamance - conviction being standing up for what you truly believe in based on logic; adamance being standing your ground with fallacy which is similar to being deluded, hence the context. lol I guess there's no perfect word there.

[@JDog2656]

@@Sonderin I suppose its a matter of perception. What may seem delusional sometimes ends up being right

[@Sonderin]

@@JDog2656 That is too true... We're in Upside-Down World... Everyone's lookin' for that Stone... Ain't ne'r gonna find it.

[@JDog2656]

@@Sonderin is that a reference?

[@yuusha95]

34:48 this was my first ending and because of that I didn’t think the it was the best one, but after seeing them all, it is definitely the best one

[@victort2]

Panam and kerry..the best love interests in nc! ..i wonder how a relationship with takemura would’ve been, though. Or even johnny..

[@TheMarcHicks]

Saul's decision to make a deal with Biotechnica is even more gross when you consider what Biotechnica did to the members of the Red Ocher Clan.

[@christophermzdenek]

A small perspective addition, if anyone cares. As a tabletop player/GM one thing that doesn't get clarified in CP77 is the vast size of the 'Cados. Saul represents a single family of the Nomad Nation. The Aldacados are perhaps the largest of all the Nomad nations (in-game repeated mentions imply Snake Nation may have userped that position). There are Aldacados all across North and South America. This is important, specifically because of Rouge. She was, ahem, intensely involved with the actual leader of the entire Nation in the past (seen in flashbacks to the botched rescue in the game). She even has a Son by him (like 95% certain per CP RED and background child-drawn pictures in the video game). Keeping this in mind, while she may well have extremely conflicting thoughts regarding Jonny, she has a vested interest in the Aldacados. There is no way that a Fixer of her caliber hasn't gotten wind of a potential deal between a 'Cado family and a Megacorp. I could 100% see her setting Panam (anyone else notice that is the shortened form of 'Panamerican', as in North and South America... Or, you know... the Aldacados turf) up to either 'Make or Break' her to take the family over or let them burn out? Pruning the branches if needed seems like a thing she would absolutely do both from a Video game AND tabletop perspective. Anyway, a bit of perspective and my thoughts.

[@lydiscott]

OHHHH this is really cool! I had no idea about Santiago!!! And also that’s such a cool thought about Rogue and Panam’s dynamic, then. I really like that!

[@christophermzdenek]

@@lydiscott If you have access to the Cyberpunk RED main sourcebook, there are a series of short stories before each major chapter. They occur sequentially. They not only shed some light on the time between 2024 and 2077 but have some profound implications for events in the game. They also highlight Santiago's son, a Media, and his crew. They are tasked with moving some priceless cargo. Combined, they are 10-12 pages, but given that CP77 is thoroughly influenced by the game's creator, Mike Pondsmith, it's certainly worth the read to see how it impacts/influences 2077 and maybe beyond, events. Thank you, for having such a fantastic storyteller series for this game!

[@ZombieMurdoc]

Your hair looks great in this video, just needed to point that out

[@goodoldmix]

I really enjoyed the video!

[@lydiscott]

Aw thank you!

[@Redem10]

The only true happy ending is being out of night city with Panam with hope in your heart and knowing no matter what happen you'll be surrounded by people that love you. You have overcome the cruelty of the world Cyberpunk 2077

[@AvianSavara]

The thing about the Aldecaldos is every single one of them is too damn smart for their own good. They're showing ludicrous levels of manipulation and palace talk / intrigue. Except unlike corpos who are in it for themselves, nomads are in it for the good of the family, just with each individual having different ideas on how to best go about it. They're a '"machiavelian force for good". Big schemers with big hearts. It's kind of beautiful.

[@HideNameMe]

She was the definition of “Toxic relationship is pain but I love it”

[@bahamut12th]

its kinda funny hearing you say "being a douche" in such a professional voice

[@Calhouned]

Nice you got the warthunder sponsorship! Hahaha Love the analysis as always!

[@DrknssRules1]

I mean, to be fair, she's also kind of the only option. As a straight male, she is literally the only romance option I can pick. I'm not gay and Judy is. Not that I'm complaining though, Panam is wife.

[@esquirrel4able]

I think another reason for why Saul’s death is heartbreaking , is because; he is the more experienced leader with time under his belt. That was supposed to teach Panem and guide her into the role of leader, but with his death in the star ending he no longer get the chance to teach her and she will have to come into being the role of the leader alone.

[@vandand3203]

These videos give me life at the moment.

[@awwwshucks443]

Love your video easays on cyberpunk. Keep up yhe awesome work!

[@lydiscott]

Ahh thank you for watching! 😄

[@Bullets2YahHead]

This made me realize i never even question my decision making around panam, 3 play throughs, always the same trying to rescue her, i guess i dont always let her save v, but v always tries to have her back

[@charliebrenton4421]

Judy inconstant AF! Panam and River got you!

[@jerz18]

I personally think the phantom liberty ending is the best for V due to the fact that they finally got what they wanted which was to get the relic out and live! Yea V would not be able to be a merc anymore but they get a second chance at life and start over again.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Addressing the tank-sized gorilla in the room: imagine it from Panam’s perspective. You meet this brilliant young man/woman who helps you out with a job, saves your friends, reconnects you with your family, and maybe fall in love, all in a couple of months. Then, out of nowhere, they disappear. You get maybe third hand information that they went off to the Moon for an unprecedented procedure. What would you do, honestly? Wouldn’t you feel betrayed, that you thought you knew this person, were willing to put your life on the line for them…and they just absconded without a word. If your best friend did this, would you really just pick up the phone when they call years later?

[@lydiscott]

Well said!!!

[@RenigadeWarrior1]

I need to add that you would also know that they are terminally injured, only have weeks to live and are pushing some ridiculous boundaries with Corps to save themself. Not to mention that you would also know that their profession more than not leads to an early death and an unmarked grave. Imagine your first thoughts being that they betrayed you instead of that they have met with a terrible fate. Panam is not a paragon, far from it. No I would not feel betrayed I'd be sick with worry and driven to find them. I'd answer the phone in a heartbeat, even years later to hear back from them.

[@reallybigjohnson]

@@RenigadeWarrior1 This. Panam wears her feelings on her sleaves but she is an emotional insane nutjob.

[@chriscormac231]

@@RenigadeWarrior1 a fucking men

[@supremeblackkai1229]

Phantom Liberty cooks her character with its ending

[@TaylorPlays_]

i always play female v so i look at panam like a sister, the same way i looked at jackie as my bro/best friend. i absolutely adore panam & judy! good video girly!!!

[@goosequeef]

Videos like this reminds me of how much I love cyberpunk (also u kinda look like nobara from jkk)

[@alexandradenton1565]

2:39 what's the song playing in the bg here??? 🙏

[@golas468]

I think it's called kerry's song, check his questline

[@solitary2]

Does anyone know the song at 4:42 ? I know it’s an acoustic version of another song I’ve heard in so many trailers before the game dropped and I’ve been struggling to find it 😢

[@adeptalakay]

let me know if you figure it out

[@christopherbrummet4997]

💚Avocadoes Forever!!

[@lydiscott]

AHH THANK YOU HELL YEAH

[@darksteelyurius]

Great video. Honestly, I didn't realize that about Saul. I never had that conversation. I would say that my favorite ending has to either be whichever one where you just straight up go with nobody but you and Johnny. The other ending I liked more than that was the devil's ending. It didn't hit me that way at first though. But the more I sit with it the better. I like it because it is obvious that goro is lying to you. They put you in that facility and they made you do a bunch of menial tests that drove you insane and when you got frustrated to the breaking point they then called in their closer. Hellman if goro's dead and if not, goro. He will tell you that the arasaka family has already forgotten you and he's there as an afterthought. Within a few moments though, he'll tell you that hanako sent him directly. Which is contradictive. He really pushes the fact that you're going to die without their help. Obviously it's in arasaka's best interests for you to sign over. You would become one of their eternal slaves at that point. If you say no and leave you survive. At least that's how I see it. You survive and you get to move on with your life. Best of all the spirit of Johnny silverhand lives with you in spirit where he belongs

[@ziondragon]

The panam arc is soooo meta for me because I know girls in real life that are very similar to her. It really put me in V's head lol

[@Aki-kh2qe-StreetKidZZZ]

Ohhhh somehow I doubt you would want that kind of girl if you expand more in her full endings. Especially after the DLC phantom of liberty. Won't spoil anything except that she's a two faced 🐕

[@ziondragon]

@@Aki-kh2qe-StreetKidZZZ I played all endings and have no idea what your talking about. If your referring to how she doesn't talk to you at all after you ghosted her for 2 years, I moved to the middle east and worked a medical assignment in saudi arabia for 2 years and the same thing happened. It was MY fault not their's since to some of them I simply disappeared and when I got back to the USA they had moved on literally and figuratively. The world don't stop for you kid even if your a player character.

[@Bjorn_Tyrson]

what I find most interesting about rogue telling panam that sometimes its not worth chasing. is that rogue is arguably THE fixer in night city, for her to 'not care' that one of her mercs had botched a job seems like it should be out of character for her. now you could argue that since the raffen were completing the gig anyways, she didn't care who did it so long as it got done. But that also seems very out of character for her as well, she is VERY selective about who she works with, not even willing to give V the time of day till they had made more of a name for themselves. We also know that despite her 'cold bitch' exterior, Rogue is a deeply caring person. and I think in her own way, telling panam that some things aren't worth chasing, was her trying to look out for her. because quite notably, despite failing the gig, she doesn't completely cut panam out like most any other fixer would. and she specifically sent V to her (after V had proven themselves competent) to keep her safe... even if its keeping her safe from herself.

[@steveclarke6257]

You may not be aware that when you first enter the Afterlife (when you meet for the Kompeki Op.) you can find both Panam and Nash having a chat over a beer in one of its many corners

[@lydiscott]

AHHH omg I totally forgot! That’s actually such an awesome detail. 😄

[@VelvetSanity]

You can actually see her walk out of Rogue's alcove just before that if you're paying attention

[@Lightwish4K]

Waow, i loved this clip! Easiest like in my life

[@StickHalo117]

“Strength,” funny you use that as the opening line since that’s the tarot card you find in the spot you first meet Panam!

[@clarencewalters338]

in retrospect it's strange that Saul says he's against joining snake nation when in the star ending that's how he explains he got the intel regarding the NightCorp SERC.

[@VanceAsagi]

I loved the way Panam is written. My V is a nomad and It only seemed right that his lover also be a nomad. She might be impulsive and brash but she has a big heart.

[@y4wwn]

This is my canon ending. I refuse to accept any other ending

[@bbd121]

Hello, there's a misspelling in your title. I think you spelt Judy wrong.

[@FiddleStix219]

Girl thank you for helping me conceptualise my dream run 🤩 time to romance judy as a nomad and take the star ending