Unlocking the Thorian’s Secrets: Why Saren Desired Its Power
Saren Arterius, the rogue Spectre in the original Mass Effect, was a complex and compelling antagonist driven by a twisted vision of galactic salvation. Central to his plans was the Thorian, a massive, sentient plant found on the colony world of Feros. Saren sought the Thorian primarily for its mind-control capabilities. The Thorian could release spores that indoctrinated those who inhaled them, effectively enslaving individuals to its will. Saren wanted to understand and exploit this indoctrination process to further his ultimate goal of aligning with the Reapers and ensuring the survival of organic life, albeit through servitude.
The Thorian’s Indoctrination: A Weapon and a Tool
The Thorian’s indoctrination wasn’t a simple command-and-obey scenario. It was a gradual process of mental subjugation, subtly altering thoughts and perceptions until the victim fully embraced the Thorian’s will. Saren recognized the potential of this power.
- Controlling Populations: By weaponizing the Thorian’s spores, Saren could control entire populations, turning them into compliant workforces or even soldiers. This level of control was invaluable for securing resources and consolidating power for the Reapers.
- Understanding Indoctrination: Saren was fascinated by the underlying mechanisms of indoctrination. By studying the Thorian’s methods, he hoped to understand how the Reapers themselves indoctrinated individuals. This knowledge could potentially allow him to resist indoctrination or even weaponize it against the Reapers themselves, though this remained a distant and unlikely possibility.
- Creating a Loyal Force: Saren wasn’t just interested in mindless obedience. He wanted to create a force of individuals who genuinely believed in his cause – a cause rooted in the misguided belief that servitude to the Reapers was preferable to annihilation. The Thorian’s spores could help shape minds and instill this belief, creating a fiercely loyal and dedicated army.
The Thorian and the Mu Relay
The Thorian also held a secret location within its mind, a location that Saren desperately needed. By controlling the Thorian, Saren could control its inhabitants, and through them, control the information that the Thorian possessed. The Thorian knew the location of the Mu Relay, which was vital for accessing the Conduit.
Saren’s Twisted Logic: Survival Through Servitude
Saren’s desire to control and understand the Thorian stemmed from his core belief: that the Reapers were inevitable and resistance was futile. He believed the only way for organic life to survive was to prove its worth to the Reapers, offering itself as a subservient species. The Thorian’s mind-control abilities fit perfectly into this scheme, allowing him to create a unified and compliant force to serve the Reapers.
However, Saren’s logic was deeply flawed. He underestimated the Reapers’ true nature and failed to grasp their complete indifference to organic life. The Reapers sought not servants, but cycles of destruction and renewal. Ultimately, Saren’s pursuit of the Thorian and its mind-control abilities was a desperate gamble based on a profound misunderstanding of the forces he sought to align himself with.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is indoctrination in Mass Effect?
Indoctrination is a form of mind control used by the Reapers and beings connected to them. It slowly alters the victim’s thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions until they become completely loyal to the Reapers. The process can manifest in physical changes and psychological manipulation. The Thorian uses a similar, albeit less sophisticated, process through its spores.
2. How did Saren find out about the Thorian?
Saren likely learned about the Thorian through his connection with Sovereign. Sovereign, being an ancient Reaper, possessed vast knowledge of the galaxy, including the existence and capabilities of the Thorian. This knowledge was then passed on to Saren.
3. Was Saren already indoctrinated when he sought the Thorian?
Yes, Saren was already under the influence of Sovereign to some extent when he began his pursuit of the Thorian. His actions were driven by Sovereign’s agenda, though Saren genuinely believed he was acting in the best interests of the galaxy.
4. Why didn’t the Thorian simply resist Saren’s control?
The Thorian, while powerful, was vulnerable after its connection to the Prothean beacon was severed. Saren, with the support of his Geth forces and his own Spectre abilities, was able to overwhelm the Thorian and exert control over it.
5. What other uses did Saren have for the Thorian besides mind control?
While mind control was the primary reason, Saren might have also been interested in the Thorian’s genetic material. As a unique and ancient organism, the Thorian could have possessed valuable genetic information that Saren could have used for various purposes, such as bio-weapons development.
6. How did the Geth contribute to Saren’s Thorian plan?
The Geth provided the military force necessary to secure Feros and subdue the Thorian. They were also responsible for maintaining control over the Thorian’s indoctrinated colonists.
7. Could anyone resist the Thorian’s indoctrination?
Yes, individuals with strong wills and mental fortitude could resist the Thorian’s indoctrination, though it was a difficult and arduous process. The colonists of Feros, while initially indoctrinated, were able to regain some semblance of control through the use of a neural dampener.
8. Was the Thorian evil?
The Thorian wasn’t inherently evil, but it was a force of nature. It acted in its own self-preservation and used its mind-control abilities to ensure its survival. Saren’s exploitation of the Thorian amplified its negative impact on the galaxy.
9. What happened to the Thorian after the events on Feros?
The Thorian was destroyed by Commander Shepard and their crew to prevent Saren from using it further.
10. Did Saren know the full extent of the Reapers’ plans?
No, Saren was largely misinformed about the Reapers’ true intentions. Sovereign manipulated him into believing that he could secure a place for organic life in the Reapers’ new order, when in reality, the Reapers had no such plans.
11. How did Saren’s backstory influence his decisions regarding the Thorian and the Reapers?
Saren’s bitterness towards humanity, stemming from the First Contact War, and his overall belief in turian superiority likely contributed to his willingness to align with the Reapers. He saw it as a way to ensure the dominance of his own species, even if it meant servitude.
12. Could Shepard have used the Thorian for good?
Hypothetically, Shepard could have attempted to use the Thorian’s mind-control abilities for benevolent purposes, such as uniting the galaxy against the Reapers. However, the risks associated with such a plan were immense, and the potential for abuse was too great. It was deemed too dangerous to attempt.
13. What made Saren such a compelling villain?
Saren’s complexity as a character made him a compelling villain. He wasn’t simply evil for the sake of evil. He was driven by a warped sense of logic and a genuine, albeit misguided, desire to save the galaxy.
14. How did the events on Feros impact the overall narrative of Mass Effect?
The events on Feros served as a wake-up call for Commander Shepard and the crew of the Normandy. It demonstrated the true extent of Saren’s power and the lengths he was willing to go to in order to achieve his goals. It also provided valuable information about the Conduit and the Reapers’ impending invasion.
15. How does the Thorian relate to the themes of control and manipulation explored in the Mass Effect series?
The Thorian serves as a powerful metaphor for the dangers of unfettered power and the seductive nature of control. It highlights the potential for manipulation and the importance of resisting indoctrination, both literal and ideological. Learning about the Games Learning Society and their dedication to how video games can teach, can help unlock more learning insights. You can visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore more of the organization’s research and initiatives.