Mary Linton was Arthur Morgan’s main love interest in Red Dead Redemption 2, but the outlaw deserved way better than the way she ended up treating him. The inclusion of Mary in the game’s storyline only serves to make players feel more sympathetic towards Arthur for the way his life ultimately ended.
Mary is introduced early on in Red Dead Redemption 2's story when she asks for Arthur’s help finding her brother, who’s joined a mysterious religious cult. It’s explained that Arthur and Mary originally fell in love in their youth, but Mary's (and her family’s) disapproval of his outlaw lifestyle eventually drove the two apart. Still, upon seeing each other for the first time in years, it’s clear there’s still a connection between the two lovers.
Providing players choose to do the side mission, Arthur will readily agree to help Mary bring her brother home. He risks his neck in the process, but ultimately Arthur is successful. However, it’s how Mary reacts that is truly telling of her character. For a while, it seems as though the two may be falling back in love again, but Mary ultimately changes her mind and leaves Arthur heartbroken.
What Does Mary Do To Arthur In Red Dead Redemption 2?
Mary quickly leaves town with her brother on a train after Arthur rescues him, even though she expresses great appreciation for his help. Later, in the Saint Denis chapter of Red Dead Redemption 2, she asks for Arthur’s assistance again to help her rescue her mother’s broach from her father as he tried to pawn it. Arthur agrees, and afterwards, the two enjoy a romantic evening at the theater. At the end of the evening, Arthur tells her they can run away like they always planned once he secures some money, and Mary doesn’t object to his proposal. It finally seems as though the star-crossed lovers will get their happy ending.
However, in the end, Mary doesn’t follow through. She ultimately sends Arthur a letter that contains the engagement ring he had proposed to her before the events of the game. She tells Arthur that he’s never going to change, and because of that, she can’t risk ruining her own life by pursuing something with him. Despite all Arthur had done for Mary, especially during the course of the Red Dead Redemption 2 to help her family, she still didn’t believe in him. This leaves Arthur – and players – wondering if she ever truly cared for him in the first place. Regardless, given everything Arthur did for her in Red Dead Redemption 2, he deserved much better than a Dear John letter.