Jennifer Hale Reveals How a Surprising Scene with Garrus in Mass Effect 3 Made Shepard’s Actor “Break” Emotionally: “I thought, no, no, no, Shepard doesn’t cry.”

When it comes to the most emotional moments in Mass Effect, nothing hits harder than Dr. Mordin Solus’s departure. However, a close second is the heartfelt promise exchanged between Garrus and Shepard before they head into battle against the Reapers—a scene so powerful that it nearly brought Jennifer Hale to tears.

During a discussion on the Behind the Voice podcast, Hale reflected on this pivotal moment in her journey as the voice of female Commander Shepard, noting that it was when the emotional weight of the role truly began to resonate with her. “The goodbye scene with Garrus hit me hard,” she shared.

“Most of the time—about 85% now—it’s cold reading. I don’t see the lines until I’m recording them,” she explained. “That scene with Garrus caught me off guard. I read it and thought, ‘Oh – oh…’ As I was performing it, I started to break down, and I thought, ‘No, no, no!'”

In her view, “Shepard doesn’t cry,” so she took a moment to regain her composure before diving back into the scene. The exchange is profoundly moving, showcasing two battle-hardened soldiers who realize this might be their last chance to stand together.

True to their characters, there are no tears—just a solemn promise to reunite for a drink or two once the fight is over. Garrus urges Shepard to give the Reapers hell, a command they both take to heart. It’s a beautifully tragic moment, and revisiting it now brings a lump to my throat, making me empathize with Hale’s experience in the recording booth.

After three incredible games as Shepard, Hale has expressed a strong desire to return for Mass Effect 5, should the opportunity arise. If the series does bring back the commander, perhaps Garrus will join her for that long-awaited drink. It’s a hopeful thought, right?

Mass Effect 5 is currently in development, with BioWare fully focused on the RPG amid a significant $55 billion acquisition by EA, and they have plenty of romances to explore.