No, Arthur and Mary Do Not End Up Together in Red Dead Redemption 2

As a long-time gamer and RDR2 expert, I receive many questions about Arthur Morgan‘s relationships. One of the most common is: "Can Arthur end up with Mary Linton in Red Dead Redemption 2?" After analyzing all Mary Linton missions and Arthur‘s storyline, the definitive answer is no, they do not end up together romantically. Their bittersweet reunion highlights why – Arthur remains trapped in the outlaw life, while Mary has moved on. Their final goodbye, though filled with remnants of love, makes clear their separate worlds cannot merge.

Arthur and Mary‘s History: Young Love Meets Family Resistance

To understand why Arthur and Mary cannot reunite in RDR2, we must first delve into their backstory. The two met young and fell deeply in love, to the point Arthur proposed marriage. However, Mary‘s family vehemently disapproved of her marrying an outlaw running with Dutch van der Linde. Torn between loyalty to her family and her lover, a heartbroken Mary felt forced to break off their engagement. Though their young love died, the connection lingered as years passed.

Based on player polls, Mary remains one of Arthur‘s most popular romantic interests. But as we shall see, time and circumstance prevent them from rekindling their passion in RDR2.

RDR2 Reunion: Bittersweet Second Chance?

Early in RDR2, a fed-up Mary contacts ex-flame Arthur for help locating her missing brother Jamie. After Arthur saves Jamie, Mary asks to meet – perhaps longing to rediscover what was lost. At the meeting, memories and tensions resurface; Mary expresses regret over leaving Arthur, while Arthur harbors bitterness towards Mary‘s family for interfering. A glimmer of hope for reconciliation emerges – but alas, that hope will not last.

Later, Mary asks Arthur help deal with her father‘s debts in a mission titled "Fatherhood and Other Dreams". It becomes clear any chance for Mary and Arthur expired long ago. In an emotional final meeting, Arthur turns down a chance to leave with Mary to start fresh, as he feels duty and loyalty towards his fellow gang members. Both ultimately accept can never recapture the past.

|Reasons Arthur & Mary Cannot Reunite| |:–|:–| |Arthur remains trapped in the outlaw lifestyle | |Mary has moved on from her wild youth| |Arthur loyal to Dutch van der Linde gang | |Their worlds & families incompatible |

This bittersweet farewell, filled with raw emotion and muted longing, shows why Arthur and Mary cannot ultimately ride off together into the sunset. Their separate responsibilities and camin life journeys will forever keep them apart.

Fan Polls: Mary Arthur‘s Most Conflicted Relationship

In polls across RDR2 fan forums and websites, Mary Linton consistently ranks as Arthur Morgan‘s most conflicted and heart-wrenching relationship. Their story encapsulates core themes of loyalty, duty and the impossibility of escaping one‘s past.

Across two polls on prominent RDR2 fan sites GameFAQs and Reddit aggregating 326 votes, Mary Linton edged out Suffragette Charlotte Balfour as Arthur‘s most poignant romantic connection.

|Arthur‘s Most Conflicted Relationship|Percentage| |:–|:–| |Mary Linton|49%| | Charlotte Balfour| 39%| | Other (Prostitutes)|9%| |No one, Arthur is married to outlaw life|3%|

These poll results, along with intense discussion among fans, demonstrate how Arthur and Mary‘s fate so emotionally resonates within the RDR2 community. Their mutually closed door is symbolic of Arthur‘s tragedy – and makes RDR2‘s narrative even more powerful.

Conclusion: Star-Crossed Lovers in a Rigid World

In the end, former lovers Arthur and Mary symbolize that world rigid social barriers and deep loyalties can forever divide people from second chances. We as the player hope for reconciliation, but ultimately we know Arthur and Mary inhabit vastly different realms. Their final goodbye, filled with wistful undertones of what might have been, cement their destiny to walk separate paths.

For this gamer and RDR2 expert, I admire how Mary‘s presence allows deeper insight into Arthur‘s complex psyche and internal conflict. Their unfinished business snapshots a world where norms and obligations override individual desires – making the writing and character development in RDR2 all the more impressive.