User blog comment:SanjayBeast/Anyone else pissed about lack of Protheans in MP?/@comment-188.61.41.2-20120528180506/@comment-4950455-20120528223519

"For me, the fact that Javik survived in Eden Prime whilst those on Illos did not (as explained by the VI Vigil, who tried to keep them alive) does represent a deus ex machina - the game developers added in a fairly complicated plot twist, and had to have a character come in and explain it in detail (the email sent to you by alliance command, and the dialogue you have with Javik himself)."

No. A deus ex machina has a very specific definition - it's not simply an implausible turn of events, but one which solves a major plot obstacle. From Wikipedia's page on the subject:

A deus ex machina is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly solved with the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability, or object.

Although Javik's introduction is (arguably) 'contrived and unexpected', his appearance does not solve any unsolvable problem. It does not defeat the Reapers, make a significant impact on the construction of the Crucible, or resolve any other plot point. Indeed, it's not even in the DLC-free game. Therefore, it cannot be a deus ex machina.

I'm sorry for going off like this, but the tendency of people on the internet to appropriate it for any far-fetched plot twist (or simply plot twists they don't like) drives me absolutely nuts.

Incidentally, I don't see anything wrong with the additional quarian classes - there's no reason why players should only be able to play as a female quarian, particularly when models for both sexes exist. They might just differ in appearance, sure, but it's not they're the only thing in the pack.