In Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V, Michael de Santa's former life as a bank robber comes back to haunt him when a series of mistakes draws him back into a life of crime. While one of three playable characters in the game, Michael stands out for being the one least interested in the criminal lifestyle that envelopes all Grand Theft Auto protagonists.
Over the course of the game, players experience Michael juggling his desire to hold on to his non-criminal life – including producing a movie with his favorite director – with the realization that he's genuinely talented at pulling off thrilling, lucrative heists - and he enjoys it, too. It's Michael's complexities that make him one of the best playable characters in the GTA franchise.
Forced Amnesia
"You Forget A Thousand Things Every Day. How About You Make Sure This Is One Of 'Em?"
Said to a guard in both the prologue robbery and the first heist of the game, the quote acts like Michael's trademark, and in fact is what makes Trevor realize that he's still alive. It's also one of the best quotes in GTA V.
The brilliance behind this line is in how it demonstrates Michael's personality. His insistence on people forgetting him – while ironically making him more memorable – is also evidence of the fact that he doesn't want to kill, unlike Trevor. He even calls the guard "pal" at the jewelry-store heist, a subtle sign of his compassion.
Wasted Privilege
"I Didn't Have The Advantages [My Son] Has. By The Time I Was Hig Age, I'd Already Been In Prison Twice."
During the opening credits, Michael is in a therapy session when his doctor asks about his son, and Michael expresses his contempt for the fact that Jimmy has gone nowhere in his life, despite Jimmy having so many opportunities because of his family's wealth.
This detail about his early criminal history acts as the first bit of Michael's backstory that players get. It also contrasts well with his wealthy life now, seeing a therapist at a beachfront property. All the same, the satisfaction he hoped would come with a legitimate life never arrived. He may take up crime again out of need, but he definitely misses the excitement, too.
Honest Recognition
"I Guess I've Been All Those Things One Time Or Another, Right? It's Just... I Always Thought I Was The Good Guy."
Michael says this line to Jimmy when his son accuses him of being a horrible human being. However, instead of fighting it, Michael admits to it, yet insists he never saw himself in the role of a villain.
Unlike when talking to his therapist, Michael doesn't justify himself by saying that he took advantage of the only opportunities he had. Instead, he shows some honest self-reflection surprisingly early in the game and recognizes that in fact maybe he was lying to himself all those years ago. Yes, he thought of himself as the good guy, but admits that this doesn't fit with his actions.
Father-Like Advice
"You Know, I've Been In This Game For A Lot Of Years, And I Got Out Alive... You Look Like A Good Kid, But If You Want My Advice, You Give This Shit Up."
When Franklin makes it clear that he wants to work with Michael, and that he thinks Michael is too young to be retired, he gets this line in response.
It’s fitting that this dialogue happens in the mission “Father/Son,” because although the mission's focus is on rescuing Jimmy from boat thieves, the mentor/mentee relationship on display between Michael and Franklin is like a surrogate father/son one, and will be for the rest of the game. It's not obvious upon first viewing, and the advice may come across as coldly cynical, and it won't be followed, but it's definitely a fatherly moment.
Dysfunctional Love
"I Don't Hate You, Jim. How Many Times…? I Love You. Look, I'm Sorry If I Don't Express That Correctly."
Michael and Jimmy have a difficult relationship throughout the game. Jimmy insists that Michael's attempts at bonding aren't genuine, that Michael is just afraid of being alone. In some ways, Jimmy is correct.
However, at the same time, there is genuine feeling behind his words and actions. After all, Michael left his old life because he was building a family and didn't want to be a part of the criminal underworld anymore. He's not always good at showing that he loves his son, but deep down, he definitely does.
Off-Hand Self-Compliment
"Ah, Yeah, I Mean, I'm A Great Thief, But You Know, It's The Other S**** I Ain't Got Figured Out."
Michael makes this comment when he tells Franklin about how he's under the thumb of the FIB, and that he's thinking of skipping town. This line is prompted by Franklin assuring Michael that he's pleased to work with him as Franklin made more money on one heist than he had in his whole life.
Again, Michael's past clearly hangs over him, not in the form of Trevor or the FIB, but internally. He recognizes that he is skilled at being a criminal. Now that he's back doing what he loves, he can finally be honest with himself. It may be a small detail in GTA V, but it helps show Michael's overall progression.
Fanboy Moment
"But This Place Is A Dream Factory."
Michael, an avid movie buff, gets to meet his filmmaking idol, Solomon Richards, and even has the dream opportunity to work on a movie with him. Solomon reveals, though, that both his son and Devin Westin are trying to close down the studio, which prompts this line.
Filmmakers have always been driven by the desire to make dreams come to life on screen and it's no stretch to say that video game companies like Rockstar are passionate about doing the same thing. While they've always been in his shoes, players get to see Michael have a genuine passion for something other than committing crime, and this way he becomes a reflection of players' own love for GTA V itself.
Best Friends
"I Was Happily Retired, Sulking By My Swimming Pool, And My Psychotic Best Friends Shops Up Out Of Nowhere To Torture Me Over Mistakes I've Made, Honest Mistakes I Made Over A Decade Ago!"
With Trevor angered over Michael's sarcasm, Michael gives him this response as an explanation for why he takes such an attitude toward the situation (planning the Paleto Bay score) and to his current life in general.
Michael's insistence that he's being hounded over "honest mistakes" rings hollow in hindsight, considering the outrageous crimes committed by the protagonists in GTA V. However, a detail hidden within this complaint is a genuine character revelation: he still considers Trevor his best friend. In one way, it's a sad fact, since it shows how lonely Michael has been, but it also shows that despite everything, he can't help but still see Trevor, psychotic Trevor, as his best friend.
Family First
"I Had A Young Family, Franklin. … I Saw An Out, A Future For Me, For My Family. I Took It."
Now, Michael has finally come clean to Franklin about what happened with Brad, and when Franklin chastises him for screwing over everyone he's ever known, Michael gives him this explanation. He found a way out of this life of crime, a way to keep himself and his family safe.
Michael has been anything but a family man, his home life being a mockery of the typical TV family, but he has always maintained that he loves them: while his relationship with Amanda may no longer be loving, he still cares for her, and definitely still loves his children, as he tries but often fails to adequately express.
Torn Desires
"I Mean, I Want To Be A Good Dad, Love My Family... You Know, Live The Dream... But At The Same Time... I Really Want The Other Stuff, Too."
In his last therapy session of the game, after surviving a three-way shootout between the FIB, IAA, and Merryweather, Michael is able to admit to himself that he really wants to both have a normal life and be able to have the excitement of crime, because these experiences have been the most fun he's had in nine years.
This moment, while not the end of Michael's storyline, is when he is finally able to be completely honest with himself about what he wants, and how these two conflicting desires have caused him so much emotional turmoil. Psychologically speaking, he has finally had his breakthrough moment. As he says in the "Third Way" ending, he still has problems, but at least now he understands them.