RDR2’s Most Tragic Character Actually Has A Happy Ending

Edith Downes is the widow of Thomas Downes in Red Dead Redemption 2, but her bad luck doesn’t stop when her husband dies. Edith has one of the darkest storylines of any of the side characters in Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption 2, and thanks to a few key moments of dialogue, players can get a pretty clear answer of what happens to the grieving widow after everything is said and done.

Arthur Morgan originally encounters the Downes family in the Horseshoe Overlook chapter of Red Dead Redemption 2. Leopold Strauss sends Arthur to their ranch after Thomas Downes accepted money from the loan shark but was later unable to pay. When Arthur encounters Thomas it’s clear the old man is suffering from tuberculosis, and he coughs blood on Arthur’s face while the outlaw is beating him to a pulp.

It’s only when Thomas’ wife Edith breaks up the fight, telling him that her husband is sick, that Arthur relents, but Arthur also warns them they’ll have to pay the money back soon. However, once her husband succumbs to his illness, the debt falls on Edith Downes and her son, Archie. Edith eventually gives Arthur the money when he comes asking for it – though it’s unclear at that point where the money came from – but she curses him out before he leaves.

What Happens To Edith After Her Husband Dies In RDR2?

Arthur later learns how Edith earned enough money to settle her husband’s death. In the Saint Denis chapter of Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur runs into her in the New Orleans-inspired city when she mistakenly tries to sell him her services before realizing who he is. She quickly changes her tune upon recognizing Arthur, and even goes so far as to tell police that he was berating her, leading Arthur to leave her alone. Arthur sees Edith Downes once again during the Beaver Hollow chapter. During a trip to Annesburg, Arthur sees the widow trying to bring a client into her home. Although she runs off upon seeing Arthur, clearly out of embarrassment, he tracks her down in order to apologize. He also tries to offer her money, but she refuses to accept it.

Arthur later helps out Edith’s son Archie, keeping him from being harassed by his miner coworkers during one of Red Dead Redemption 2’s side missions, and after assisting the boy Archie expresses concern over his mother continuing to sell herself, despite their debt being paid off. This leads Arthur to help Archie track down his mother, and before bidding the pair goodbye, he once again offers them money and this time Edith agrees to accept.

RDR2 gives players an update on the Downes family in Red Dead Redemption 2’s epilogue when the mother and son are seen boarding a boat, with the game implying that they are leaving this life behind for something better somewhere else. Edith Downes has a dark story in Red Dead Redemption 2, but at least she and her son get a chance at a better life by the time the game ends.

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