Matthew and Jaffar Support Analysis

Fire Emblem Support Analysis: Matthew and Jaffar By: /u/DeoGame

	Throughout its 25 year history, Fire Emblem has spent a great deal of time developing the relationship between two characters. For the most part (especially in more recent titles), the relationships portrayed are those of love and comradery. However, despite these themes being prevalent in many of these relationships, you find that odd one that strays about as far from this as possible. Case in point, Matthew and Jaffar.
	To give a little background information on the relationship at hand, we need to look at each character individually. Starting with Matthew, he is a charismatic spy for Ostia who quips and is known for his sense of humour.  His partner in crime (or rather espionage) is a spy named Leila. Their relationship forged over many years in the field, Matthew was prepared to propose to her so they could leave their dangerous lives behind them. The only issue, Leila was in the middle of a case in which she disguised herself as a member of the Black Fang.
	Within the Black Fang, we come to know many other characters, both good, bad and neutral. One such character is Jaffar, a near emotionless assassin with a skill in killing others. One of his many victims, would be Leila, as her cover had been lifted. Upon killing Leila, her dead body is delivered to Matthew and his comrades as a warning of what’s to come. Matthew acted surprisingly calm at this event, but he had merely been hiding the hatred that grew within.
	When the time comes for Matthew and Jaffar’s paths to cross, neither of them are in a particularly optimal position. Matthew had been concealing his emotions for a great deal of time, and it began to take his toll on him. Jaffar, meanwhile, had to deal with hatred for his former actions, and felt a great need to protect Nino, the bubbly mage who warmed his heart.
	When Matthew and Jaffar finally do find themselves face to face, there is nothing but a moment of silence. Then, the truth comes out to Matthew about who carried out the deed. When Matthew finds out this information, the fury that had been building for so long is unleashed, and Matthew becomes much different than we had seen prior.
	Matthew, in a moment of contemplation, questions whether his next actions are in his best interests, especially given his lack of combat experience and loyalty to Ostia and Pherae. However, as his rage overtakes him, he threatens to kill Jaffar, stating that the last thing he will remember is Leila’s name.
	Matthew then attempts to kill Jaffar, but Jaffar’s quick thinking turns the tables. Jaffar however, chooses to spare Matthew, but Matthew feels this by no means makes amends for Leila’s death. From there, he utters what I feel are some of the most powerful lines in any support conversation: “You killed Leila… You stole her life. Her voice, her smile, you stole everything!” I feel this line in particular represents the love Matthew had for Leila, and the pain and anguish he is experiencing with Jaffar’s presence of the team. Matthew once again threatens Jaffar, and leaves.
	Finally, Matthew finds a way to exact his revenge on Jaffar; Nino. Matthew claims that he and his friends have retrained Nino, and are holding her hostage. He acknowledges his actions are dishonourable, but also claims that Jaffar knows no honour himself. Jaffar, in protection of Nino, accepts his fate, and puts his life in Matthew’s hands. Matthew prepares to finally avenge Leila, but questions if it was really what Leila would have wanted in the first place. After his contemplation, he chooses to spare the life of Jaffar, remembering a discussion he had with Eliwood which revealed that Jaffar had no choice in the matter.
	Matthew stills harbors hatred towards Jaffar, but mentions that before he was going to kill Jaffar, he found himself proverbially stopped by Leila herself. Matthew then reveals that he was bluffing in regards to Nino, and Jaffar reveals that Leila’s dying word was Matthew. From there, the support ends as it started, in pure, unadulterated silence.

	Analysing this support, I feel that it really shows a relationship between two characters in a truly unedited form. The support itself is pure grey, with both sides harboring their own demons. Jaffar’s actions were by no means excusable, but neither were Matthew’s. The support was also unafraid to not make this a happy ending. Matthew and Jaffar did not become friends, they did not forgive each other for their actions, they just simply reflected on what happened in pure silence.
	Another commendable aspect of the support is how everything works in cycles. The support begins in silence, and ends in silence. Jaffar spares Matthew’s life, and in turn Matthew spares his. Jaffar endangered the life of the woman closest to Matthew, so Matthew did the same to Jaffar in turn (or at least said he did). There’s a real sense of connection between all the events in this support, which really helps further the narrative.
	All in all, the relationship between Matthew and Jaffar is my favorite in the series because it is unafraid to antagonize and sympathize with both its characters. It is also unafraid to explain that in life, our words and actions are all partially controlled by one thing or another, be it our emotions, our superiors or someone/something else entirely