Movies News Talk
The video game Red Dead Redemption 2 features the infamous Wild West outlaw group Van der Linde gang front and centre. Before the events of the first game, this game reveals the lives and destinies of the gang members, so serving as a prelude to the original Red Dead Redemption.
The narrative centers on seasoned gang member Arthur Morgan as he negotiates morality, loyalty, and treachery. Players see the gang disintegrating as the narrative runs on and the terrible futures that await its members.
The Van der Linde gang, as Arthur and John Marston understood it, has been split irreversibly by the end of Red Dead Redemption 2. Many survivors of their strife with Dutch Van Der Linde, Micah Bell, Arthur, and John search for fresh lives far from their criminal past.
Events Regarding Notable Van Der Linde Gang Members
While some members' fates are hinted at or revealed through minute elements, others are made plain through the story. Rockstar Games painstakingly created these stories to guarantee closure for each unique arc.
Mary-Beth Gaskill vanished from sight.
Having trouble with pickpocketing, Mary-Beth Gaskill joined the gang and starts a new career as a writer. She meets John Marston at the train station in the epilogue of the game, so exposing her love of writing. She even lends John a copy of her Victorian romance, "The Lady of the Manor," which centers on a woman falling in love with a highwayman.
Tilly Jackson: What happened?
Once a member of the Foreman Brothers gang, Tilly Jackson discovers love and family life following gang dissension. John meets her in Saint Denis in the epilogue, and she subsequently writes him a letter outlining her increased happiness. Unfortunately, the letter also delivers the sad news of Karen's passing from alcohol-related complications.
Renowned Orville Swanson: What happened?
After saving Dutch's life, reformed man Reverend Orville Swanson joins the Van der Lindes and sets out east to atone by preaching in New York.
Simon Pearson's fate is unknown.
The cook of the gang, Simon Pearson, changes greatly. He leaves the gang and opens a general store in Rhodes, then gets married. Though he values historical memories, he obviously leads a straight and honest life.
The protagonist of the game, Arthur Morgan, must surely die tragically. His fight with tuberculosis leaves him with few choices; the player's decisions during the game define his last moments. Arthur passes peacefully from the sickness in a high honor playthrough. Micah Bell, who turns on the gang, shoots him in a low honor playthrough.
Arthur's body is buried close to a picturesque viewpoint in Ambarino; the player's honor choice shapes the look of his grave. A low honor ending produces a plain, unmarked grave; a high honor ending results in a grave covered with flowers.
Dutch Van Der Linde keeps his illegal activities going even as he turns away from the last confrontation with John and Sadie, finally rising as the main enemy in the original Red Dead Redemption.
Last seen escaping the Pinkertons, Javier Escuella goes back to Mexico and starts working as a hired killer. The way the player performs in the first game decides his fate.
Along with fleeing the Pinkertons, Bill Williamson creates his own gang and ranks among the most feared criminals in New Austin. John finally tracks him down in Mexico, where Abraham Reyes, the rebel leader, either kills Bill or John.
Red Dead Redemption 2's epilogue tracks John, Abigail, and Jack as they try to start over on a ranch. Their happy period is marked by John and Abigail's marriage. Still, the events in Red Dead Redemption bring catastrophe to their family.
John dies during a raid on their ranch; Abigail and Jack flee and survive. Abigail passes away of unknown cause a few years later, leaving Jack to bear the loss of his family. Jack finally exacts revenge for the death of his father, so assuming the protagonist role in the first Red Dead Redemption.
Before the epilogue several Van der Linde gang members sadly die.
Lenny Summers and Haisea Matthews
During the disastrous bank heist at Saint Denis, the Pinkertons kill Lenny Summers; Arthur sees this. During the same heist, Hosea Matthews also dies; Agent Milton catches him and fires.
Molly O'sShea
Former lover of Dutch Molly O'Shea is wrongly accused of being a snitch. Another gang member, Susan Grimshaw, marks Molly in a flash of wrath. Agent Milton later says Micah Bell was the real source of information.
Susan Grimowicz
Micah Bell kills founding member of the gang Susan Grimshaw, former girlfriend of Dutch. Micah shoots Susan during a violent confrontation; she dies from her wounds.
Sean MacGuise
During a confrontation with the Gray family in Rhodes, Sean MacGuire, who joined the gang after trying to rob Dutch, is killed by a sniper.
Strauss Leopold
Arthur kicks Leopold Strauss, the loan shark for the gang, and later the Pinkertons find him. John respects his allegiance since he dies in custody without turning on the gang.
Michel Bell
The final betrayer of the Van der Linde gang, Micah Bell dies under the hands of John and Dutch. Dutch and John both kill Micah during a shootout.
Grandfather
Loyal gang member Uncle helps John establish his ranch, but he is killed by FBI agents and US Army soldiers attacking the property. He gives his life so Jack and Abigail might flee.
The paths of some members remain unknown.
sadie Adler
Strong bounty hunter Sadie Adler leaves the Marston family to follow her own road in South America.
William Smith
Seeking a quiet life, seasoned tracker and devoted member Charles Smith sets off for Canada.
Joseph Trelawny
Eventually leaving the gang, conman Josiah Trelawny probably returns to Saint Denis to be with his wife and kids.
Once a major force in the Wild West, the Van der Linde gang dissolves following Red Dead Redemption 2. While some members find atonement and fresh starts, others give in to violence and catastrophe. The game looks at the complexity of allegiance, treachery, and the fallout from a life of crime. The story of the Van der Linde gang serves as a stark reminder that the allure of outlaw life often leads to a bitter end.