One of the most plainly shocking moments in the series is in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, where Big Boss' former mentor seemingly betrays him and defects to Soviet Russia. It's difficult to take in, especially when you consider the absolutely amazing performances given by Lori Alan and David Hayter. In addition to being a nice callback to Big Boss betraying Snake in Metal Gear 1, it also gives the future FoxHound leader a nice bit of dimension. On all fronts, The Boss' betrayal is truly shocking. But hold on just a second, that isn't the end of the story here; fast-forward to the end of the game and you discover that the Boss' defection was a ruse, playing out a part in order to prevent an all-out war. The twist surrounding the Boss' defection lead to some of the most moving scenes the franchise has ever produced, and stands as one of Kojima's most well-executed efforts. It gives Big Boss the depth he always needed, all while laying the groundwork for the future of these characters.
