Is Franklin a Criminal in GTA? Examining Morality in Los Santos
Yes, without a doubt, Franklin Clinton is a criminal in Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V). While he may possess a more grounded demeanor compared to his partners, Michael De Santa and Trevor Philips, Franklin is deeply entrenched in a life of crime, participating in various illegal activities from the start of the game until its explosive finale. His journey is marked by robbery, violence, and moral compromises, firmly establishing his status as a career criminal. While his motives and character development might offer shades of gray, his actions unequivocally place him on the wrong side of the law.
Franklin’s Descent into Crime
Franklin’s criminal path is not one he actively seeks at first. He begins as a repo man, working for a shady Armenian dealership, repossessing vehicles from delinquent buyers. This seemingly small-time operation soon spirals as he encounters Michael, a former bank robber looking for a new purpose. Their collaboration marks a turning point, pulling Franklin deeper into the criminal underworld. Franklin’s participation in major heists, high-stakes robberies, and other dangerous operations throughout the game confirm his criminal identity.
Moral Ambiguity or Cold-Blooded Killer?
One of the recurring discussions among GTA V players and critics revolves around Franklin’s morality. He is often described as more pragmatic and less chaotic than Michael and Trevor. However, this doesn’t excuse his actions. Franklin is a killer, and he shows little remorse for the violence he inflicts. Multiple characters in the game even point out his nonchalant attitude toward murder, which he often shrugs off without reflection. While Michael and Trevor at least grapple with the consequences of their actions, Franklin rarely questions the morality of his choices, leading some to label him as potentially sociopathic. His calm acceptance of violence, regardless of whether he initiated it or not, distinguishes him as a criminal with a chillingly practical outlook.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Despite his more “down-to-earth” personality, Franklin’s actions clearly demonstrate his criminal nature:
- Heists and Robberies: Franklin is a key participant in several major heists, including the Union Depository heist, demonstrating his willingness to engage in large-scale criminal operations.
- Extortion and Violence: He is not averse to using violence to achieve his goals, whether it’s protecting himself, his friends, or completing a mission.
- Car Theft and Property Damage: As part of his daily life, Franklin commits numerous acts of car theft and causes extensive property damage.
- Gang Affiliations: Although he works outside of the traditional gang structures in Los Santos, he is closely involved with Lamar Davis, who has deep ties to the streets and his previous life. This association often involves him in gang-related conflict.
The “Good Guy” Debate
Some fans argue that Franklin is a “good guy” in the sense that he is more loyal, dependable, and less overtly evil compared to Michael and Trevor. He helps Michael’s son, saves Michael from the Chinese Mafia, and stands up for Lamar. However, these moments of loyalty and courage do not erase his numerous criminal acts. He participates in the very dangerous and damaging escapades, even when they are morally dubious. Franklin might strive to be “better,” but his methods always involve criminal activity.
The Canon Ending: Survival of the Fittest?
The canonical ending of GTA V, the “Deathwish” ending, sees Franklin, Michael, and Trevor team up to eliminate their enemies. This highlights how deep Franklin is involved in the criminal underworld and how his survival depends on his criminal skills. Choosing this ending means committing many more acts of violence and solidifying his role as a hardened criminal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Franklin evil?
While he participates in countless criminal acts, Franklin is not necessarily portrayed as purely evil. He displays moments of loyalty, friendship, and even empathy. However, his lack of remorse for his violent actions and his ready acceptance of crime make him morally ambiguous rather than “good.”
2. Who betrayed Franklin in GTA 5?
While there is a fan theory about Michael betraying Franklin, the game does not present any major betrayal between the three protagonists. However, at the end of the Franklin storyline in the GTA Online Los Santos Tuners update, Teddy clears out Franklin’s bank account.
3. Why was Franklin charged with public exposure?
According to Franklin, he was arrested for public exposure because of his “sagging” pants, a claim he attributes to racial profiling by the LSPD (Los Santos Police Department). This incident highlights the racial dynamics present in the game’s world.
4. Is Franklin a good guy in GTA 5?
Franklin is a complex character. He demonstrates some good qualities by helping Michael and his family, as well as Lamar. However, he is also a violent killer who doesn’t hesitate to engage in criminal activity, which makes his morality highly debatable.
5. Who are the bad guys in GTA?
GTA is full of criminals, not necessarily clearly defined “bad guys”. However, characters such as Michael De Santa, Carl Johnson (CJ), Frank Tenpenny, and Dimitri Rascalov are some of the most notable antagonists in the franchise, and Franklin also contributes to these criminal activities.
6. Can Franklin survive the Deathwish ending?
Yes, Deathwish is the canonical ending of GTA V where Franklin, along with Michael and Trevor, survive by fighting off the game’s antagonists.
7. Is Franklin related to CJ?
No, Franklin is not related to CJ. Though the voice actor for Franklin, Shawn Fonteno, is the cousin of the rapper, Young Maylay, who voiced CJ, they are not related in the game’s universe.
8. Who ordered the hit on Franklin?
In a series of events in GTA Online, it is revealed that Louie ordered the hit on Franklin, which causes Franklin to take action and get revenge.
9. What happens if Franklin kills Chop?
If you somehow manage to “kill” Chop, he will only be temporarily injured. Like other essential NPCs, he will respawn shortly afterward.
10. Why is Trevor so angry?
Trevor is driven by desire and resentment. The designers gave him emotional depth to make him compelling to players, despite his violent tendencies.
11. What is Franklin scared of?
In the context of the Franklin Classic Storybook, Franklin is portrayed as being afraid of the dark. In the context of GTA V, Franklin’s fears are more about the consequences of his actions and relationships.
12. How many crimes has Trevor committed?
Trevor has committed countless crimes throughout GTA V, including armed robbery, kidnapping, drug dealing, and much more. He is, by far, the most chaotic and lawless character in the game.
13. What will happen if Franklin kills Trevor?
If Franklin chooses to kill Trevor in one of the alternate endings, Trevor will be permanently removed from the game. This results in the loss of Trevor’s assets, side missions, and Michael’s trust in Franklin.
14. Who is Franklin’s girlfriend?
Franklin has a girlfriend named Tonya during one mission in the game. He also has a more involved relationship with Veronique in GTA Online, where he has a child with her.
15. How many kills does Franklin have?
A player study determined that Franklin is responsible for the most kills in GTA V, with 295 kills. He is followed by Trevor with 258 and Michael with 172. These numbers can vary based on individual player decisions.