Unpacking the Marston and Morgan Family Saga: More Than Just Outlaws
Red Dead Redemption tells more than just stories of gunfights. It explores family, loyalty, and the ghosts from the past. There are tangled family trees in this wild west!
Jack Marston: Who’s Your Daddy?
Let’s start with a question. Is John Marston Jack’s biological father? Yes. Case closed. Player natalaMaer pointed out that John raised Jack. He bled for him and ultimately gave his life. That is fatherhood in its rawest form.
But where’s the thrill in not speculating? The internet is full of wild theories. Arthur Morgan as Jack’s secret dad? It’s a spicy idea, but it’s all just ‘what ifs’. Game Rant explored this theory, proving the drama is half the enjoyment.
Biological or not, John is Jack’s father. He stepped up and taught Jack to hunt. He tried to shield him from outlaw life. Don’t forget Jack’s mom, Abigail Marston. She was orphaned young, found her way to the Van der Linde gang, and John’s life. Their relationship? It wasn’t built on niceties, and Jack was the result.
Arthur Morgan’s Lost Boy: A Pain That Never Heals
Now let’s look at Arthur Morgan. He wrestles with demons more troubling than a midnight robbery. Arthur had a son. His name was Isaac. Eliza, a waitress, was his mom. Life was unkind to them. Isaac was just eight, and Eliza was taken during a robbery gone wrong. A tragic gut punch for Arthur.
This loss became a wound in Arthur’s soul. He carried it for life. It shaped him in Red Dead Redemption 2. He loved Isaac fiercely, calling him a “good kid.” Remembering two crosses outside their place evokes grief. Arthur never truly healed. It highlights that even outlaws have hearts, buried deep under cynicism and violence.
Interestingly, some Welsh legends suggest Arthur might have had more sons. Kyduan, Amr, Gwydre, Llacheu, Duran – a whole posse of mini-Arthurs. But, in this universe, Isaac remains his only child, leaving an echo throughout Arthur’s journey.
Red Dead Redemption: A Family Tree of Games
Now, onto the game timeline. Arthur Morgan is missing in Red Dead Redemption 1 because he wasn’t created yet. RDR1 centers on John Marston’s redemption arc. Arthur? He was nonexistent back then.
Red Dead Redemption 2 serves as the prequel. It’s set in 1899 and jumps to 1907. RDR1 starts in 1911, jumping to 1914. RDR2 fills in Van der Linde gang’s chaotic past and John’s younger years, showing a less grumpy version of John.
What about Red Dead Redemption 3? No firm dates yet! Rockstar is staying quiet. But whispers swirl regarding new adventures. Don’t expect it soon, though. Rockstar likes to take their time, especially with GTA 6 taking priority. Maybe 2026 to 2030?
Storylines? Rumors spin wildly. Van der Linde gang origins? Jack Marston’s mature adventures? A fresh Wild West era? A female protagonist? New settings? Likely. The Wild West changed quickly back then. Fans are eager for more stories.
Worried RDR2 ends with Arthur’s death? Don’t stress! The game continues as John Marston for an epilogue. This ties up loose ends and shows the start of his family life. An act two of the redemption saga.
John Marston: Anti-Hero or Just a Survivor?
Now, let’s examine John’s send-off. It’s brutal. Edgar Ross orchestrated John’s death. Firing squad justice, or injustice? Ross broke his word, showing some deals are true blood oaths while others are lies. John’s last words? Classic John – defiant to the end.
But was John a good guy or a bad guy? He’s somewhere in between like most folks. He did nasty things, killing those in his way and even threatening innocents. Not saintly behavior. Still, he tried to escape his past and protect his family. Anti-hero? Yes. Human? For sure.
How old was John in RDR1? Around 26. Arthur met him at age 12 in 1885. A younger character than most expect with such a gritty past.
Have you heard about Red Harlow from Red Dead Revolver? Some fans see him as a prototype for John Marston. Similar scars and styles, maybe a beta version? Whether Revolver is canon is another debate for another day.
Jack Marston: The Cycle Continues?
RDR3 with Jack as a protagonist? Tempting! Imagine his adventures in a changed world. Will it happen? It’s uncertain, but fans are buzzing about it.
Jack in RDR1? A young man, 5’10”, with brown eyes and black hair. He grows quickly. By 1914, he becomes a full-grown man wearing a mustache, a goatee, and inheriting his father’s hat and baggage.
Speaking of baggage, Jack isn’t exactly carefree after RDR1. Depression hits hard after losing his dad and the constant violence. He begins reflecting John’s outlaw tendencies, which is tragic. Violence seems to be a curse for the Marston family.
Skills-wise, Jack inherits more than just tendencies. Dead Eye targeting is in his blood too. The Marston legacy of sharpshooting continues.
Who voiced Jack in RDR1? Josh Blaylock deserves credit. Don’t forget him!
How old was adult Jack after Arthur’s death? About 19 in 1914. Theories about his eventual death vary a lot. Some say 1990s, which would make him ancient. His fate remains as murky as a midnight swamp.
Red Dead on the Big Screen? And GTA Connections?
A Red Dead movie? Not currently happening. However, with the cinematic scope of the games, it could be a goldmine waiting to be tapped. Never say never.
Are Red Dead and GTA universes connected? Some think so due to timeline overlaps and shared Easter eggs. It’s a fun theory but not officially confirmed. Imagine Trevor Philips wandering into Valentine. Chaos!
Jack, Arthur, and Other Jacks: Clearing Up the Confusion
Let’s clear up name confusion. Jack Marston is not Jack from *Lost*. Jack Shephard had his own daddy issues and island mysteries. No, Jack’s father wasn’t the Man in Black, even if he did impersonate him.
Different Jacks mean different universes. There’s Jack from *The Order*, son of Edward Coventry. There’s comedian Jack Black, real name John. There’s Jack in *The Order* who becomes a werewolf. And finally Jack from *Virgin River* who isn’t the twins’ biological dad. Jacks are everywhere, but not all are Marstons.
Arthur Morgan autism theories? Pure fan interpretation. Rockstar never confirmed anything. Yet some see traits in Arthur’s character. Take it as you will.
Did Arthur love Hosea more than Dutch? Journal entries suggest deep respect for Hosea. His voice was calm amid Van der Linde chaos.
Arthur’s age at the end? Around 36. Some say 28 or even 35-37 depending on birthday interpretations. Let’s just agree he was mid-thirties in age.
Outlaw.
Arthur and Mordred? Not that Arthur! We’re in Red Dead, not Camelot. King Arthur and Mordred are different tales. Fun fact: some Arthurian stories say Mordred is Arthur’s son through incest. Yikes. And Uther Pendragon? King Arthur’s dad. A royal mess entirely.
Beyond Redemption: Other Game Worlds and Lost Souls
Bully 2? Will it happen? Rockstar trademarks hint they remember it. GTA 6 hogs resources. One day, Jimmy Hopkins might ride again. Maybe.
Can you save Lenny in RDR2? No. Lenny’s death is fixed. A sad plot point you can’t change. Grab tissues.
Juliet pregnant when she died? Shakespeare says no. Quick death, no baby bumps.
*Lost* ending? Island stuff was real. Afterlife waiting room post-death. They moved on. Monster? Locke-impersonating foe of Jacob. Long story short, watch *Lost*.
Jack Pearson’s brother in *This Is Us*? Nicky. Another Jack, another family saga.
Why did Mordred stab Morgana in *Merlin*? To save Arthur, turning against her after she spilled Merlin’s secret. Morgana’s villain arc? Blame Morgause’s brainwashing. Family drama strikes again.
So there you have it. A deep dive into Red Dead family trees and lore. It is as rich as the characters within. Now, ponder these mysteries while dodging bullets and robbing trains. Try not to get killed by a firing squad, okay?
