| “ | Marston, you're a public menace. We should've had you killed. | „ |
| —Archer Fordham |
Archer Fordham is a recurring character in the Red Dead series. He is a supporting character and a secondary antagonist in Red Dead Redemption, and makes a cameo appearance at the end of Red Dead Redemption 2.
Quick Answers
What role does Archer Fordham play in the Red Dead series?
Who is Archer Fordham's mentor in the Bureau of Investigation?
How does Archer Fordham's character contribute to the plot of Red Dead Redemption 2?
What significant event involving Archer Fordham occurs in 1907 in the Red Dead series?
What is Archer Fordham's relationship with Edgar Ross in the Red Dead series?
History
Background
| “ | Archer is a young, sturdy, and keen-eyed government agent. He is Ross's right-hand man and he is very ambitious and aggressive. | „ |
| —GOTY guide description. |
Fordham joined the Bureau of Investigation in 1907 following its foundation that same year. He is the protegé of senior agent and director Edgar Ross.
Events of Red Dead Redemption 2
In June 1907,[1] Fordham and Ross find Micah Bell's corpse at his hideout on the top of Mount Hagen, and travel to various locations whilst interviewing citizens, in an attempt to find the killer. They eventually find the ranch at Beecher's Hope, where they spy John Marston teaching his son Jack how to brush a horse. Convinced that they found the killer, Fordham and Ross nod to each other and leave to plan their next move.
Events of Red Dead Redemption
In 1911, prior to the events of Red Dead Redemption, Fordham and Ross take John Marston's family away from him in order to strong-arm him into hunting down some of his former comrades from the Van der Linde gang. Following the abduction of Abigail and Jack Marston, the two agents are seen escorting John Marston to the train station in Blackwater, during the opening credits of Red Dead Redemption.
Nuevo Paraíso
Fordham is not seen again until much later in the game. After the player captures or kills Javier Escuella in the mission "The Gates of El Presidio", they are required to meet Fordham and Ross at a bridge crossing between New Austin and Nuevo Paraíso. Depending on whether Escuella is alive or dead, Fordham will commend John for a job well done, or criticize him for killing Escuella. Either way, Fordham reminds Marston of his obligations and tells him to return to Blackwater as soon as he deals with Bill Williamson, before he and Ross drive off with Escuella.
West Elizabeth
Once John arrives in Blackwater, Fordham and Ross directly work with him to track down his former gang leader and mentor, Dutch van der Linde, who has formed a new gang of disaffected Native Americans.
After rescuing their informant, Nastas, from the Wreck of the Serendipity and attempting to prevent Dutch and his gang from robbing the Blackwater bank, Fordham participates alongside John and Ross in a climatic assault on Van der Linde's camp in Cochinay with the assistance of the U.S. Army. During the assault, Marston corners Dutch, who chooses to commit suicide by throwing himself from a cliff.
Following Dutch's death, Fordham and Ross meet with John one last time at the bottom of the cliff, where the former thanks John for his assistance and tells him that he's made his country proud. The agents then part ways with Marston, informing him that he is free to return to his ranch, where his family is waiting for him.
Sometime after this, Fordham heads to John's ranch alongside the military and Ross as part of a firing squad with the intent of killing John. Fordham can be shot by John or left alive, leaving his fate determinant.
Character
Personality
Archer is characterized as being assertive and exceedingly capable at his profession, yet more hot-headed and impulsive than his cold and calculating mentor.
Fordham unwaveringly supports Ross in his less than ethical methods. However, unlike Ross, Fordham appears to develop a respect of sorts for Marston during the last few missions he is in, and thanking him for his help after Dutch's death.
Participating in a handful of violent engagements with Dutch van der Linde, Fordham demonstrates himself as exceedingly capable in combat.
Appearance
As of 1907, Fordham is a young man with a clean-shaven face. He is seen dressed in a formal business suit with a black tie and a black bowler hat with gray trimmings.
By 1911, Archer is slightly leaner and appears much taller than Ross. He sports an immodest, lighter three-piece suit with a black tie. In addition, he wears a different bowler hat with darker black trimmings.
Mission appearances
- Red Dead Redemption
- "Exodus in America"
- "The Gates of El Presidio"
- "Bear One Another's Burdens"
- "Great Men are Not Always Wise"
- "And You Will Know The Truth"
- "And The Truth Will Set You Free"
- "The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed"
- Red Dead Redemption 2
Quotes
| “ | You've done well, Mr. Marston. Now, Javier here gets to see how far the hand of justice can reach. | „ |
| —Fordham to John Marston, after the latter turns Javier Escuella in alive |
| “ | He's not looking very... healthy. We told you to keep them alive. | „ |
| —Fordham to John, if the latter kills Javier |
| “ | Like you always say, sir, the higher the stakes, the smarter you have to play the game. | „ |
| —Fordham to Edgar Ross |
| “ | It ends when we say it ends. You're in no position to make demands. | „ |
| —Fordham to John |
| “ | See, this is what happens when you fraternize with savages. How could you ever follow a man like that? | „ |
| —Fordham to John, about Dutch van der Linde |
| “ | Thank you, Mr. Marston, for everything. I know this wasn't easy for you, but I have to say, you've done your country proud. | „ |
| —Fordham's final words to John |
Trivia
Red Dead Redemption
- Fordham's mother, Maybelle, has been dead since July 24th, 1900, and is buried at Blackwater cemetery.
- If Marston captures Javier Escuella, Fordham seems to have a more positive feeling towards Marston during the first two cutscenes in which he speaks. If Marston brings in Escuella dead, Fordham will show less appreciation to Marston, due to the fact that he instructed Marston to bring him alive.
- Fordham uses a Cattleman Revolver in the earlier missions but later uses a High Power Pistol, just as Edgar Ross did.
- Even though Fordham is Ross' partner, like Jonah and Eli, they actually contrast. Ross wears light clothes while Fordham wears dark clothes, Ross is old while Fordham is young, Ross is short while Fordham is tall and, most importantly, Ross is deceitful and sardonic while Fordham is honest and blunt.
- In the mission "The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed", Fordham is present during the Dead Eye sequence and can be killed. However, he may disappear in the following cutscene regardless of whether or not he is shot. Fordham can also be spotted before this sequence, when John is observing the Army through the barn's doors.[2]
- A Marshal, Isaac McKinnon, is often mistaken for Fordham as he bears a striking resemblance to him and is seen close to Ross' side by the final cutscene in the mission.
Red Dead Redemption 2
- An unused 1899 appearance for Fordham exists in the game files, implying he may have originally been intended to have appeared prior to the Epilogue as a member of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.
Gallery
Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption 2
References
- ↑ A letter from Henri Lemieux confirms that the Epilogue takes place in June of 1907.
- ↑ Did Archer Fordham Betray John Marston? Was He At Beecher's Hope? - Red Dead Redemption Lore Explained
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