User blog comment:AdmMiller/What's so great about Tali? And why do most dislike Miranda?/@comment-81.159.160.164-20130402192213

Revive time!

Part of the appeal is that Tali doesn't actually change because of the romance. Miranda becomes and emotional wreck, and so does Jack, it's not who they are to begin with, and it starts with no suggestion of love or interest. As 'well written' as people might think their characters are, it's painfully clear both have been scripted into the romance thing, it's not realistic. Or at the very least, not desirable, there's nothing that sets Shepard apart from Jacob, for example. No initial attraction or reason for Miranda/Jack to pick Shep over Jacob OTHER than he has power/authority. He forces himself on Jack, repeatedly, until she bends, Miranda would rather leave, but is obliged to stay through work. Neither want or are interested in him until 'romance script' forces it.

By comparison, Tali willingly joins the party, and is interested in Shep from the get-go. She doesn't 'jump into his pants', being interested from the start doesn't equate to slutty or easy. More than anything else though, the romance route simply enhances and builds on her initial friendly, shy personality. Nothing's forced, by script or implied situation, she could leave at any time, could be attracted to anyone, and she happens to have fallen for Shep from the start.

Overall, the Tali romance route feels more natural, realistic and /human/ than the others. Having tried out all three, Jack feels forced, she doesn't need a lover, she needs a good friend, and Shep abuses his authority to bend her until she comes round to him. Miranda feels like a gold-digger, she's 'perfect' and attracted to 'perfection'. Her obligations keep her bound to Shep till she sees he's powerful and influential as well as generically attractive. Both are fake, porn-scene scripted and forced. Tali is a believable story of love.