User blog comment:Newgirl101/Ashley and Miranda/@comment-41.135.161.16-20111221195237

Exactly the kind of thread I've been looking for. They are 2 of my very favourite chars in ME. I see them as the same side of 2 different coins in some ways (until Miranda gave TIM the finger anyway, thereafter they will surely prove to be on the same page in ME 3), but they are sufficiently different in a lot of ways too.

Similarities: Both are fantastic leaders. They both tend to sell themselves short in comparison to Shepard in that regard but imo they are not far behind, Shepard is just more iconic. Extremely brave and loyal. A great love for their sister(s). Last but not least, very beautiful.

Differences: Ashley is more personable and well-rounded with a great sense of humour and loves gossip. Miranda is cold and distant, cares only about her sister, job, the advancement of humanity and maybe Shepard, nothing else. To be fair though, maybe in time she will thaw out and learn how to laugh and smile post- Cerberus. Ash is incapable of thinking outside the box, it's either right or wrong with her. Miri is far more of a liberal thinker, yet she is very straight-laced and almost prudish in her approach to certain situations. The irony is though that Ash can be grudgingly accommodating of the actions and viewpoints of others, even if she doesn't agree or is not prepared to listen to their side. E.g. graciously shaking hands and wishing Shepard well after giving the tongue lashing on horizon. And you better believe she is gonna be delighted to learn that her best friend/love interest is still on the straight and narrow, albeit ashamed of herself for not believing it till the proof was revealed. Equally ironic is that Miri does not negotiate or forgive wrongs. E.g. cross her and you get a bullet to the head (unless Shepard is on hand to talk her out of it that is).

Bottom line: 2 awesome yet flawed women and my Shepard doesn't go anywhere without at least 1 of them by her side. I also can't wait to see their interactions in ME 3 with Miranda likely regarded as a "reformed badguy" by Ashley. I'm hopeful and fairly sure they will become the best of friends.