This is definitely the superior Astarion ending for me. He may ultimately lose his ability to walk in the sun, but he gains so much more in return. Freedom from the dark shadow of his abuser, and the revelation that he is well and truly enough, just as he is, without needing to assert power over others. People are free to interpret things however they'd like of course, but I admit I don't entirely understand the mindset of some fans who simply want to see him as pure evil, when there is so much in the narrative showing the richness and complexity of his character arc. I believe that both unascended and ascended Astarion are two sides of the same coin. They are both him, but one is him learning to be his best self, and one is him becoming his worst. Both are completely valid paths to take, though I personally prefer the former. Neither is more "real" than the other and it's my belief that to deny the validity of either path is to deny a huge part of who he is as a character. They complement one another.
The fact that he feels the need to thank Tav just for treating him like a person honestly says so much about all that he’s been through. ALL THE HUGS FOR ASTY.
This element of his story is a bit poorly played out. There should've been more to the exchange than there was. If you point out the potion could be helpful based on sheer reason, he even says you have a point like he's not thrilled but fine before he goes through with it. Then later, he comes at you like you shoved him into the wall and threatened him. In my game at least, made absolutely no sense for the other story elements that happened between the two events. You can still get him to calm down, but none of the genuine/compassionate responses lead where they should. Ya have to be smarmy and more or less gaslight the poor devil.
Astarion’s story of healing is the most wholesome and heartbreaking story I’ve seen in a while. It’s ugly, realizing the first few times you were together, he saw it as a transaction. Or when you return to the city, his manipulative tendencies creep in again. But then you have moments where he is in disbelief that someone cares for him. Or him trying to express his emotions for the first time in 200 years while is heart is going a mile a minute. Astarion’s story is one of immense internal strength. His trauma didn’t make him strong, overcoming that and a centuries’ long cycle of abuse did. He overcame such odds to find happiness, same as every companion in the game. But Astarion’s story in particular will stick with me for a long time.
Dude says he’s not jealous, but still disapproves when you tell him you’re sleeping with someone that ISN’T him and mentions about better playmates I’M DYINNNGGG 😂
I think it's interesting that his surprise when Tav tells him that it's his choice kind of mirrors his surprise the first time you agree to let him bite you. He really doesn't expect it.
The more I watch these the more I'm mind blown by just how well Astarion is written and what an amazing job Neil has done. Especially the line that starts at 3:48, the sigh and then the hand gestures, it's just so real and how it's delivered makes Astarion so charming and lovable. I love this.
It's kind of sad how you don't have to use persuasion with him. He just does whatever Tav tells him to do. That's why I love this scene. It shows that Tav is different from Cazador. From everyone else. Tav shows Astarion that he really is his own person and can decide things for himself. Tav also shows Astarion that they truly care about him, instead of using him for his body, which is sadly all that he knows.
The absolutely comedic timing of Astarion saying "by rights I should be cinders blowing in the wind, but something's protecting me" as he's getting utterly blasted by fire is incredible.
"I've dreamt of being bitten by a vampire since i was a young girl" Me: *AH OH MY GODS YES ME TOO😩✊💕* Astarion: I'm sorry? You WANT to be bitten? Me: *SHUT UP I'VE BEEN WANTING THAT MY WHOLE LIFE TOO😭*
