Forget those people who say they 'always knew' Marston was going to kick the bucket before the major events of RDR played out, instead Rockstar's portrayal of a retired former-criminal cowboy attempting to tend flock and look after his family only to be dragged back for 'one more job' plays out far less expectedly than you might think. Although the fact you'll get to avenge John's death whilst playing as his son Jack is one of the greatest moments of the entire decade, the downfall of the former comes after the game forces you to revisit the herding missions it opens with; providing a great bookend to Marston's adventure whilst also secretly making you wonder if the whole story was just going to peter out, metaphorically both you and John 'retiring' so to speak. Instead his past catches up with him, and in a perfect turn of events you get to once again play out Marston's last action, the game kicking in the formerly-reliable slo-motion Dead Eye mode, only for you to get gunned down in a blaze of glory regardless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-43ZYWXgmzE Whether you saw it coming or not, the sheer brutality and disregard for John the U.S. Marshalls show despite him fulfilling his obligations is shocking, and as the black screen fades back up to Jack standing over his father's grave, you're forced to live with his demise as you carry on playing. Genius.
