Ever Wondered About Reznov’s Missing Digit? Let’s Get to the Bottom of This Black Ops Mystery!
Viktor Reznov is a memorable character. He’s a gruff but charismatic Russian sergeant in the Call of Duty universe. He has faced many challenges, from the Eastern Front of World War II to Soviet prison camps. But have you noticed something missing?
Look at Reznov’s left hand in the Vorkuta elevator scene in Black Ops. Do you see what’s absent? Our tough comrade is missing an index finger. This isn’t an artistic mistake. This detail traces back to Reznov’s earlier adventures in Call of Duty: World at War.
Let’s rewind and explore the story of Viktor Reznov. He’s a man formed in war and Cold War intrigue. He’s not just any NPC; Reznov’s tale is rich with intention, betrayal, and mental games. He wasn’t a villain. Throughout World War II and the Cold War, Reznov followed a moral code. Ironically, this landed him in a Soviet prison camp.
His imprisonment wasn’t mere bad luck; it resulted from betrayal. Reznov had a strong vendetta against Dragovich, Kravchenko, and Steiner. These men betrayed him after the Battle of Berlin. Reznov, being Reznov, sought revenge.
This quest for vengeance takes a surprising twist when Reznov meets Alex Mason in prison. Sharing a cell and a dislike for authority, Mason and Reznov become unlikely allies. Their prison brawls led to month-long stays in solitary confinement. In prison logic, this solidified their bond. Imagine a very intense, cold, and lonely friendship experience.
Here’s where things turn mind-bending. To achieve his revenge, Reznov brainwashes Mason while they are imprisoned. He programs Mason to hunt down and eliminate Dragovich, Kravchenko, and Steiner. It’s a classic manipulation tale with a Soviet twist.
But surprises in Call of Duty happen when you least expect them. When Hudson recounts events from his perspective, the bombshell drops: Reznov was a hallucination! Mason was the one executing Steiner, guided by Reznov’s phantom in his mind. Mind. Blown.
So, where does Reznov’s story truly begin? In the gritty battlefields of World at War. Here, he is flesh and blood, fighting beside Dimitri Petrenko as a war hero. This is the Reznov who loses his finger in duty. This is also the Reznov who witnesses Dragovich’s atrocity: betraying and murdering soldiers with Nova 6 chemical weapon. This horror nearly kills Reznov and tragically takes Dimitri Petrenko, igniting Reznov’s fury for his Black Ops arc.
Dragovich’s motives? Petty and power-driven. He murdered his own men, including Petrenko, to test Nova 6, stemming from irrational dislike for Reznov. Some villains are just comically evil.
Fast forward to Black Ops. Mason faces digits haunting him. These aren’t random numbers; they are coordinates and a countdown for an assassination on President John F. Kennedy. They pinpoint timing for a Nova 6 gas attack. Stakes could not be higher.
While Reznov is real in World at War, things get murky in Black Ops 1. After Mason boards the train, the “real” Reznov from Mason’s past is reportedly killed by Soviet forces. This adds complexity to his hallucinatory appearances.
Now, the burning question: could Reznov return in Black Ops 6? Teasers hint at the return of this iconic character. Whether he’s another figment or resurrected Reznov remains uncertain. Fans buzz with anticipation at the prospect of seeing him again.
Speaking of familiar faces, Frank Woods is confirmed for Black Ops 6 too. He’ll be in a wheelchair due to injuries from Raul Menendez in Black Ops II. Sadly, fans hoping for Mason’s return will be disappointed. Canon confirms Alex Mason is deceased in the Black Ops 2 flashbacks, specifically “Suffer With Me.” Poor Mason can’t catch a break, can he?
One last fun note about Mason: sometimes his voice slips into an Australian accent. Pay attention before the zip-line in “Operation 40” or just after Bowman’s demise. This is a nod to his voice actor, Sam Worthington, who hails from Australia. A quirky detail adding real-world flavor to Cold War chaos.
So, there you have it. The mystery of Reznov’s missing finger weaves a tale of betrayal, brainwashing, and friendship, all in the backdrop of the Cold War. Reznov’s narrative highlights the intricate, often mind-bending stories that make the Black Ops series captivating. And who knows? In Black Ops 6, we might see a five-fingered Reznov or even a robotic finger replacement. One can only dream (or hallucinate).
