If players look close enough, there's small intimate connections between the original RDR and Red Dead Redemption 2 throughout the prequel. Some things stick out like a sore thumb, such as the lack of mention of Arthur Morgan in the first game, but the small details between the two games stand out.

One such moment happens early on in Red Dead Redemption 2 and helps add emphasis to the ending and prologue of the first game. As many well remember, the ending and epilogue of the original are heartbreaking, but RDR2 makes even more so in one key moment.

RELATED: Red Dead Redemption Remaster Seems More Likely Now

Red Dead Redemption - Remember My Family

rdr2 jack and edgar ross

First, Red Dead Redemption "ends" with the death of John Marston at the hands of the Bureau led by Edgar Ross. Marston, despite having done all of Edgar Ross' dirty work, is the "last enemy to be destroyed" in the eyes of proper society, a relic to the lawlessness of prior years. Ross' relationship is implied to stretch back several years in the first game, but just playing the first game doesn't give the whole nuance. The epilogue sees Jack Marston hunt Edgar Ross down, finding him fishing on a river bed, and avengers his father and family. The scene shows Jack, a full grown man now, and Edgar Ross, now older but none the wiser, finish off their rivalry in Red Dead Redemption.

Red Dead Redemption 2 - A Fisher of Men

rdr2 young edgar ross

Of course, the aforementioned epilogue likely influenced this story mission—it's simply too parallel not to be. Instead of Jack Marston coming upon Edgar Ross, Pinkerton agents Milton and Ross come upon Arthur Morgan and Jack Marston. Morgan and Milton engage in a nice philosophical debate upon the definitions of civilization and savagery, while Edgar Ross sits back and lets him mentor take the lead. The entire encounter goes by with Edgar Ross saying nothing, until they go to leave. Ross then says to Jack, "Better enjoy your fishing, kid, while you still can."

Ross' first chronological words in the franchise were spoken to Jack about fishing, the very act that Jack comes upon Ross doing in the original game. This cements the two character's fates together, from this moment that begins their decades-long and hateful relationship to the moment when Jack Marston ends his life. The parallels emphasize Jack's actions at the end of the first game, and the two scenes are wonderfully lined up, bringing what Red Dead Redemption 2's story begins to a powerful, heartfelt end.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.

MORE: Red Dead Redemption 2 is Almost Guaranteed for PS5, Xbox Series X