Why Did the Vault Hunters Betray Handsome Jack?
The betrayal of Handsome Jack by the Vault Hunters in Borderlands 2 isn’t a simple case of shifting loyalties but rather a complex narrative driven by manipulation, deception, and a desperate fight for survival against a rising tyrant. The short answer is: the Vault Hunters never truly aligned with Jack. Instead, they were manipulated into working towards his objectives under false pretenses, and when the truth came to light, they turned against him. The Vault Hunters’ initial involvement with Jack stems from a calculated ploy to use them, followed by a series of increasingly abhorrent actions that cemented their opposition to him.
The Initial Deception and Manipulation
Initially, Jack presents himself as a benevolent figure, a hero of Pandora seeking to bring order to the chaotic planet. He invites the Vault Hunters to Sanctuary under the guise of cooperation, offering them a safe haven. However, this was a calculated move to achieve two key objectives:
- Eliminate Sanctuary: Jack planned to seize the city once he had a suitable opportunity. Allowing the Vault Hunters in provided him with a chance to attack it from within.
- Open the Vault: Jack needs to open the vault to further his plans, and the Vault Hunters have a proven track record of successfully opening them.
This initial deception lays the groundwork for the inevitable conflict. The Vault Hunters are unaware of Jack’s true nature; they initially see him as an ally against the bandit threat. This makes their later betrayal an act of self-preservation and a fight against tyranny rather than a simple change of allegiance.
The Discovery of Jack’s True Nature
The facade of Handsome Jack quickly crumbles as the Vault Hunters witness his brutality firsthand. Key moments and revelations contribute to the team’s growing dissent and eventual betrayal:
- Jack’s Torture of Tannis: The Vault Hunters witness the extent of Jack’s cruelty when he tortures Dr. Patricia Tannis in his quest for the vault key. This display of sadism demonstrates the depths of his depravity and his complete lack of empathy.
- The Oppression of Pandora: As they delve deeper into Jack’s operations, the Vault Hunters discover that he is not a savior of Pandora. Instead, he oppresses its inhabitants, using Hyperion’s might to enslave and exploit the planet.
- The Exploitation of Angel: The discovery that Jack is manipulating his own daughter, the Siren Angel, to power the Vault Key further shocks the Vault Hunters. Angel’s pain and suffering, as well as her forced compliance, reveal Jack’s willingness to sacrifice his own family for his objectives.
- The Eye of Helios Incident: The final straw comes with the destruction of the Eye of Helios. Roland and Lilith betray the group, believing that Jack is dangerous and not the hero he claims to be, and they nearly kill Jack and the Vault Hunters. This proves to the Vault Hunters that Jack is indeed their enemy and not an ally.
These events showcase Jack’s tyrannical nature, demonstrating that he’s not the savior he claims to be, but a power-hungry dictator. The Vault Hunters recognize the grave threat he poses to Pandora and beyond and realize they have to fight him.
From Manipulation to Rebellion
The betrayal wasn’t a pre-planned act but a reactive response to the mounting evidence of Jack’s villainy. It was a journey from being manipulated pawns to becoming active resistance fighters. By observing Jack’s vile actions and witnessing the destruction he caused, the Vault Hunters realized that he needed to be stopped. The initial deception that had brought them into his orbit became the very reason they chose to fight back. Their choice to betray Jack wasn’t a calculated betrayal but a desperate act of defiance against a truly evil force.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Jack become evil in Borderlands?
Jack’s descent into evil is a result of a series of events, predominantly centered around feelings of betrayal and a lust for power. Events such as the destruction of the Eye of Helios and his disfigurement after Lilith’s attack fueled his paranoia and desire for control. While he seeks to bring order to Pandora, his methods are brutal and authoritarian, further solidifying his status as a villain.
Why is Handsome Jack’s face messed up?
Jack’s face is disfigured after Lilith punches the artifact into his face. This act happens as a result of the group not wanting to be apart of Jack’s plan. This brutal act leaves him permanently scarred and further fuels his hatred.
Why was Jack looking for Vault Hunters?
Jack’s desire to work with the Vault Hunters was purely tactical. He needed them to either assist him in opening the Vault, or to act as a way to seize control of Sanctuary. He never intended to be their ally.
Which Vault Hunter killed Handsome Jack?
While multiple Vault Hunters are present during the final confrontation, it is ultimately the Vault Hunters as a collective who defeat him. Borderlands 2 doesn’t emphasize a specific individual killing Jack.
What happened to the Vault Hunters after Borderlands 2?
After the events of Borderlands 2, the Vault Hunters go their separate ways. Some, like Lilith, become key figures in the fight against other threats, while others pursue their own quests. Their stories continue in subsequent games, such as Borderlands 3, where they continue their adventures, with the narrative showing them as renowned figures, with their past battles influencing new adventures.
What happened to Handsome Jack’s body double?
The body double in Opportunity is revealed to be an engineer in disguise. He is simply an expendable tool used by Jack. However, the body double Timothy underwent surgery to impersonate Jack more convincingly.
What did Handsome Jack do to Tannis?
Handsome Jack tortured Tannis to force her to reveal the vault key. He employed various brutal methods to try and achieve his goal of unlocking the vault and ultimately controlling the monster within. He is known to take pleasure in causing others pain.
What happened to Handsome Jack’s wife?
Jack’s first wife, who is also Angel’s mother, died sometime when Angel was a child, allegedly because of Angel’s loss of control over her Siren powers. This trauma contributed to Jack’s obsession with controlling Sirens and his increasing instability.
Did Handsome Jack survive?
Handsome Jack, as a physical being, dies in Borderlands 2. However, a digitized version of his consciousness exists as an AI in later games, making his death complicated. This AI version is also destroyed or rendered inert at the end of Tales from the Borderlands.
Does Rhys destroy Jack?
In Tales from the Borderlands, Rhys has the opportunity to remove the AI version of Jack from his mind. He does this by removing all of his cybernetics and either destroys Jack by crushing the piece of his robotic eye containing him, or by leaving him trapped within.
Who is Handsome Jack’s daughter?
Angel is Handsome Jack’s daughter and a Siren. She is used and manipulated throughout Borderlands 2 to power the vault key. She is a complex character, torn between her loyalty to her father and her own moral compass.
Was Handsome Jack really evil?
Handsome Jack is undeniably evil. While his motivations may have been rooted in a desire to bring order to Pandora, his methods, such as torture, murder, and oppression, make it clear that he is an antagonist.
Is Handsome Jack evil or broken?
Handsome Jack is both evil and broken. His traumatic experiences and the betrayals he faced certainly fueled his descent into villainy. However, he also makes conscious, deliberate choices to harm others, solidifying his evil status.
Why does Handsome Jack hate Pandora?
Jack hates Pandora because he sees its people as lawless bandits. He desires to civilize the planet and believes he can bring order to the anarchy. This is the driving cause for his action throughout Borderlands 2.
Could Jack have been saved?
While Jack’s past was traumatic, the extent of his depravity and the suffering he inflicted make any potential redemption unlikely. The actions he chose ultimately defined his path. In Tales from the Borderlands, even after Rhys tried to use the information he had about Jack, Jack decided to remain his same villainous self, with no hope of redemption.