The Surprising Evolution of a Beloved Character in Red Dead Redemption 3

Highlights

However, amidst the failed ferry robbery, Jenny Kirk's untimely demise is overshadowed by the attention given to fellow gang member Davey, resulting in her character being relatively underdeveloped.

The emphasis in Red Dead Redemption 3 should be on examining the consequences of losing loved ones, with a particular emphasis on characters like Jenny.

Red Dead Redemption 2 delves into the tragic outcomes resulting from the Van der Linde gang's activities throughout the Western frontier. The sorrowful atmosphere is frequently enhanced by quotes from both Red Dead Redemption games, providing an understanding of the protagonists' emotions towards themselves and the world they inhabit.

Red Dead Redemption 3 Should Pay More Tribute to Characters With Abrupt Ends

Jenny Kirk, along with Davey Callander, meet their tragic end during the ill-fated ferry heist in Blackwater, which forces the core members of the Van der Linde gang to flee. Davey's lifeless body is prominently displayed in the initial chapter of the game.

Although both passed away around the same time, Davey seems to have received more attention in the game compared to Jenny. While neither character is mentioned much during the game's events, Davey received considerable attention from his fellow gang members. Almost everyone had something to say about him and his brother, which gives us insight into Davey's relationship with the group.

On the other hand, while there are a few characters in Red Dead Redemption 2 who mention Jenny, the gang seems to have moved on from her death more quickly than Davey's. There is limited information available about Jenny, and most characters do not speak about the type of person she was. The only significant details we know about her are that she "had a spark," according to Hosea Matthews, and that she enjoyed playing dominos, as mentioned by Abigail.

While several gang members acknowledged her passing, it seems that Jenny had made less of an impact compared to Davey. Both Lenny and Javier, who were supposedly closest to her, had little to say about her. Interestingly, Karen appears to mourn her the most, initiating conversations about Jenny and expressing her longing for her, along with the Callander brothers.

Everyone mourns the loss of a loved one in their own way, but it is peculiar that one member of the gang receives more overt mourning compared to the other. Considering Hosea's mention of Jenny's spark, there was the potential to showcase her vibrant personality and how she could have influenced the overall mood of the gang.

To address this, a potential improvement for Red Dead Redemption 3 would be to delve deeper into the characters' personal moments of grief and reflection after losing loved ones. This would effectively portray the harsh reality that even vibrant individuals can meet untimely deaths in the unforgiving Wild West. Whether it is Jenny herself or another character, incorporating the theme of a youth with untapped potential whose life is tragically curtailed would align well with the tone of the game.

Just like Red Dead Redemption 2 did admirably in exploring the characters and shedding light on different aspects of their personalities, a sequel could further build upon this by following the Van der Linde gang once again. However, there is still ample opportunity to naturally introduce new kinds of characters and perhaps offer a more hopeful perspective that is ultimately cut short by tragedy.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.