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All that glisters is not gold, often have you heard that told...
This article is about The Dark Pictures Anthology's first installment, Man of Medan .
Alex



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That fucker that took our boat, he thought there was gold. He wanted the gold. That's all this was about. Manchurian Gold. Well, that turned out to be quite a bit different than we expected.


Alex Smith is one of the five main protagonists and a playable character in The Dark Pictures Anthology's first installment, Man of Medan. He is the older brother of Brad and the boyfriend of Julia. He was voiced and motion captured by Kareem Alleyne and was modelled on Tom Weston.

Appearance[]

Alex is a young African-American man with dark skin, brown eyes, buzzcut black hair and a trimmed beard. He displays very athletic body, having broad shoulders, large muscular arms and legs, and showing abs while sleeping.

Alex wears a gray baseball shirt with white shoulders, an orange digital watch on his left wrist, dark gray shorts and black-gray sneakers with white soles and socks. He has a black stud piercing in his left ear. While diving, he wears a short black and blue wetsuit, blue flippers, a knife sheath on the right leg and white rebreather gear. At night, he is wearing only his underwear, gray boxers. Following the abduction by the pirates, Alex returns to his original image.

As the game progresses, Alex doesn't receive any significant changes to his appearance, besides getting slightly soiled while traveling around the ship.

Personality[]

Despite being cool-headed and confident in most situations, he's uncomfortable with displays of wealth given his middle-class background, which jars against Julia's privileged upbringing.
Alex'sTraits

Alex's profile at the start of the game.

Despite his strong appearance, Alex is a level-headed person who acts confident in his abilities and often takes on the role of group leader. He always tries to be calm and rational, no matter how critical the situation is.

However, in contrast to his confidence, Alex is very insecure over his relationship with his girlfriend Julia. He feels uncomfortable about the wealth difference between them and believes he is not good enough for Julia, given her privileged status. For this reason, he wants Brad to make a good first impression on Julia and is hesitant about making a proposal.

As an Ivy League University student and one of the best students in his medical course, Alex is incredibly smart. He is well versed in terminology, anatomy, wound care, and medications, which is shown multiple times in the game. He is also an experienced diver, if not a professional, and has enough knowledge to prepare himself well for diving.

Biography[]

Alex was born September 10, and along with his younger brother Brad was raised in a typical American middle class family. He enrolled in a medical course at Ivy League University and became one of the brightest students. Soon at the university, Alex met and started dating a girl named Julia. They decided to spend the summer on a dive trip in the South Pacific Ocean as they hadn't seen each other for a long time, and could also introduce each other to their brothers, Brad and Conrad.

On June 20, 2019, Alex, along with his brother Brad, his girlfriend Julia, and Julia's brother Conrad went on a summer vacation to French Polynesia. With the help of Fliss, skipper of the Duke of Milan which they would stay in for the trip, Alex and Julia were able to go on a dive trip. However, his trip took a turn to the sinister when three pirates ambushed the Duke and drove them to an abandoned WWII freighter. His fate would then be decided by the player's decisions, in which he would either escape or die like the former passengers of the ship.

Man of Medan[]

Main Story[]

Act 1[]

The Smith brothers take all the equipment they need to the Duke of Milan as they wait for the rest. At first, Alex and Brad discuss their problems, and with the arrival of Julia and Conrad, he talks to his girlfriend about their separation. When Fliss, the boat's captain, arrives, all five of them sail into the ocean

The group manages to find the wreck they need, after which Alex and Julia, having prepared the rebreathers, plunge into the water. Exploring the sunken ship, the couple takes several pictures and finds a document, after which they float back. Along the way, Alex can make Julia the proposal, which she can accept or reject. Almost reaching the surface, they notice explosions on the boat, but are forced to wait for decompression. Finally surfacing, the couple learns about the explosions, after which they tell about the wreck/their engagement.

In the evening, the couple talk about their relationship and, together with the others, discuss the found document about Manchurian Gold, although Fliss scolds them for their recklessness and disrespect for the dead. The group ends the night with Brad's scary story.

At night, the pirates sneaks on the Duke and Danny, one of them, takes Julia and Alex hostage. They, along with Conrad, come up with a plan - either to take the boat away from the pirates or escape on a speedboat - and Alex plays a side role, taking Danny hostage for blackmail. Regardless of the outcome of the plan, he is taken hostage again. Alex, along with the others, is initially in the cabin, but as the storm intensifies, he gets out onto the deck, where he sees the SS Ourang Medan.

Act 2[]

The pirates, thinking that there is Manchurian Gold on the ship (which they have already learned about), climb on it and take Alex and the other protagonists with them, whom they lock in the room. There, the group discusses the stolen distributor cap and after looking around the room, escape through the vent

Having escaped from Junior, Alex and the others examine the upper deck and begin to experience fleeting hallucinations (in Alex's case - Kowalski's body and undead hand). While in a cargo hold, Alex observes Fliss (and/or possibly Brad's) failed attempt to reclaim the distributor cap. Following the captured protagonists, the group goes to the main deck. Passing through the medical bay, Alex and Julia notice that they have lost Conrad.

While looking for him, the couple find themselves on the bridge in Cargo Hold 1, where they encounter Olson. He breaks the bridge with a sledgehammer, causing the couple to fall into the water and briefly lose consciousness. Alex is saved by Danny but due to hallucinations, Alex sees him as a drowned corpse and attacks Danny. As Julia wakes up, the couple gets out of the water and starts to run away from Olson. At the end of the chase, Alex may die due to Conrad accidentally blocking the way, but otherwise he reunites with the other surviving protagonists and flees to the controls room.

Act 3[]

Alex, along with the other survivors, discuss the hallucinations they saw and try to understand what happened on the ship, based on the secrets they found, after which the group decides to find the radio. After reaching the radio room, the group manages to contact the military, but due to a lack of power, the radio turns off. Finding a hole to the lower deck, the survivors discuss who will go downstairs, where Alex can go with Fliss/Julia/Brad.

If Alex went downstairs, he, along with another protagonist, will enter the lower deck and find the engine room, in which they may activate the generator. In the next room, the couple stumble upon a hallucinating Olson and run away from him. Before that, they will find the rebreather and can take it, and Alex can also find Julia's ring. Escaping from Olson, the protagonists encounter a hallucinating Junior threatening them with a gun. Alex can be shot if he cannot convince Junior that he didn't breath the mist, or save him if the protagonists have previously taken the rebreather.

If Alex is the only one left in the radio room, after hearing the gunshots, he will decide to go down to search for the others. Eventually, Alex reaches Cargo Hold 2, where he will fight Olson and can secure the distributor cap. Depend on decisions made and whoever opened the bulkhead door, Alex may survive the encounter, die by being split in half, being choked by Olson, or electrocution. If Alex survives, he returns to the others, optionally with the distributor cap.

Noticing Olson on the balcony, Alex (possibly with another protagonist and Junior) runs after him. He can dive into the flooded part of Cargo Hold 2, from where he will be washed into the main part of the hold. Depend on decisions made and whoever opened the bulkhead door, Alex may survive the encounter, die by electrocution, or have his head smashed by Olson. If Alex survives, he returns to the others, optionally with the distributor cap.

If Alex was left in the radio room with the other protagonist(s) after hearing the gunshots, they go down to the lower deck, where they bump into Olson. Following him, the pair split up, with Alex continuing to chase Olson alone. He finds his corpse in the kitchen and tries to retrieve the distributor cap while fighting off the rats. When the elevator falls into the shaft, rats begin to crawl towards Alex, and he, grabbing a knife, runs out of the kitchen. At the exit, Alex encounters the Human Experiment/bloody Olson (the hallucination depends on whether Alex opened the casket in Cargo Hold 3A or not), and he also hallucinates a rat bursting out of his stomach. Alex can stab one of the hallucinations (which will lead to the other protagonist or Alex's death) or not attack anyone. In any case, he comes to his senses and returns to the others, with or without another protagonist and the distributor cap.

The End[]

At dawn, Alex and any other surviving protagonists gather on the weather deck. His further fate depends on the player's decisions:

  • If the distributor cap was taken, Alex will leave the ship on the Duke.
  • If the distributor cap was destroyed, Alex will remain on the ship, trying to find food, only to be scared by a hallucination.
    • If Conrad escaped on the boat, Alex will be saved.
    • If Conrad didn't escape on the boat and the military was called, they will fly over and arrest Alex.
      • If the military was told the name of the ship, they will shoot Alex.
  • If Alex died, his body will be shown where and how he died.

If Alex survived, he will talk about his experiences on the ship or mourn the dead.

Possible Deaths[]

Possible Deaths
Chapter Mechanism of Kill Caused by Conditions
Revenge Throat slit Olson Conrad didn't escape on the speedboat; Conrad is alive; Alex took the knife in Caskets; Alex is behind Julia when they reach the door; Alex fails QTEs to escape OR Julia failed certain QTEs.
Face bashed in Conrad didn't escape on the speedboat; Conrad is alive; Alex didn't take the knife in Caskets; Alex is behind Julia when they reach the door; Alex fails QTEs to escape OR Julia failed certain QTEs.
Junior Shot in the head Junior Alex agitates Junior OR says nothing while the gun is pointed at him.
Flooded Split in half by cargo door Brad Olson opened the bulkhead door; Alex fails QTEs to escape Olson (Theatrical Cut).
Fliss
Julia
Choked Olson Same condition; The lever is not pulled (Curator's Cut).
Electrocution Himself (Voluntarily) The diving protagonist opened the bulkhead door; Alex helps Olson; The diving protagonist doesn't help him.
Himself (Voluntarily) Same condition; Olson kills the diving protagonist; Alex attacks Olson.
Electrocuted water Same condition; Alex does nothing.
Head smashed by sledgehammer Olson Alex opened the bulkhead door; The other protagonist grabs the distributor cap; Both protagonists fail QTEs.
Matters of the Heart Stabbed in the stomach Himself Alex attacks the rat.
The End Shot Soldiers The group gave the name of the ship to the military; The distributor cap is destroyed; Conrad did not escape on the speedboat.

Killed Victims[]

Victims
Chapter Character Mechanism of Kill Condition
Flooded Brad Split in half by cargo door Olson opened the bulkhead door; Alex pulled the lever; Brad failed to escape Olson while being strangled under the cargo door.
Conrad Same condition; Conrad failed to escape Olson while being strangled under the cargo door.
Fliss Same condition; Fliss failed to escape Olson while being strangled under the cargo door.
Julia Same condition; Julia failed to escape Olson while being strangled under the cargo door.
Olson Same condition.
Assist - Electrocution The diving protagonist opened the bulkhead door; Olson kills them; Alex attacks Olson.
Same condition; Olson doesn't kill them; Alex attacks Olson.
Matters of the Heart Himself Stabbed in the stomach Alex chose to stab the rat in his stomach.
Conrad Stabbed multiple times Alex chose to stab the hallucination OR Conrad failed to convince Alex.
Fliss Alex chose to stab the hallucination OR Fliss failed to convince Alex.
Julia Alex chose to stab the hallucination OR Julia failed to convince Alex.

Relationships[]

Alex's default relationships
Brad
Conrad
Fliss
Julia

Julia[]

Main article: Alex and Julia

Julia is Alex's girlfriend and possibly his fiancee. They met at university and have been dating for several months and despite for a short time, their relationship has become serious. However, while Alex decides to move on to the next stage of their relationship and tries to make Julia proposal, she doubts her feelings.

Their relationship is tested during the events of the game. First, during the dive, when Alex makes a proposal to Julia, where she can accept or reject it. This seriously changes their relationship, as the couple will be happy about their future life together or will think that they need to be apart for a while. Then, on the Ourang Medan, where the couple spend most of their time together. While exploring the ship and facing threats, the couple can help and console each other, or vice versa, ignore words and criticize

In the end, if the distributor cap is saved, Alex and Julia either stay married or break up. If the distributor cap is destroyed, Julia can either stay with Alex or follow Fliss instead.

  • The Curator comments on Alex's love for Julia is unrequited.
  • Julia talks with less enthusiasm when Brad asks about what was seen during the diving.
  • Julia dismisses Alex when he tries to court her if she didn't find the navigator's pad herself.
  • Julia drinks beer against Alex's advice about decompression sickness. (Curator's Cut)
  • Julia pushes Alex away in the Duke of Milan when she loses her balance and fall on Alex.
  • Julia prefers to smash through the wall herself instead of Alex. (Theatrical Cut)
  • Julia refuses Alex's attempt to comfort her when she sobs over Conrad's death.
  • Alex tells Julia she was just imagining things when mentioning the Alex double. (Theatrical Cut)
  • Julia scolds Alex for telling her to be careful when swimming in the Ourang Medan and says she can take care of herself.
  • If stranded on the Ourang Medan, Julia prefers going on the Duke of Milan instead of staying in the Ourang Medan.

  • The Curator comments on Alex and Julia's love life.
  • Julia speaks with more excitement when Brad asks about what she saw in the dive.
  • Julia and Alex kiss each other if she didn't find the navigator's pad herself.
  • Julia follows Alex's advice about decompression sickness and does not drink beer. (Curator's Cut)
  • Julia lets Alex smash through the wall. (Theatrical Cut)
  • Alex reassures Julia that he would never hurt her when she mentions seeing the Alex double.
  • Alex tells Julia he loves her before she goes swimming.
  • If stranded on the Ourang Medan, Julia prefers staying with Alex on the ship.

Brad[]

Brad is Alex's younger brother. They have a typical brotherly relationship, but they are strained, with Alex not wanting Brad to be an over-nerd and belittling him and Brad being a little jealous of Alex.

Despite this, they take care of each other, as during the pirate attack Alex worries about his brother and Brad can intercede and save Alex when he cannot take Danny hostage. On the ship, they are not often together, being in different groups, but Alex is still proud of Brad and trusts him, inviting him to go down for the generator.

In the end, if the distributor cap is destroyed, the brothers can either stay together or Brad disagrees with Alex, preferring Fliss' side, with whom he spent most of the time.

  • Alex criticizes Brad for being nervous. (Theatrical Cut)
  • Brad is cynical when Alex mentions his long distance relationship with Julia. (Curator's Cut)
  • Brad warns Alex to consider all the permutations when asked for advice. (Curator's Cut)
  • Brad refuses the drink from Conrad. (Curator's Cut)
  • Alex is reluctant to hear Brad's story.
  • Alex tells Brad that he had told the story better last time.
  • Brad stays hidden lets Danny take Alex hostage if he fails the QTE's. (Curator's Cut)
  • Alex scolds Brad when he offers to go down the generator.
  • Alex refuses to let Brad go down. (Curator's Cut)
  • Brad prefers to leave on the inactive Duke instead of staying with Alex on the Ourang Medan if they're stranded.

  • Alex reassures Brad that he's not just a tag along. (Theatrical Cut)
  • Brad is sympathetic when Alex mentions his long distance relationship with Julia. (Curator's Cut)
  • Brad encourages Alex to go with his gut when asked for advice. (Curator's Cut)
  • Brad has a drink with Conrad. (Curator's Cut)
  • Alex is excited to hear Brad's story.
  • Alex praises Brad for his story.
  • Brad intervenes and attacks Danny if Alex fails QTE's, giving Alex another chance to take Danny hostage. (Curator's Cut)
  • Alex praises Brad and calls him "medium bro" when he offers to go down the generator.
  • Alex allows Brad to go down the generator. (Curator's Cut)
  • Brad prefers to stay with Alex on the Ourang Medan instead of leaving on the inactive Duke if they're stranded.

Conrad[]

Prior to the events of the game, Alex and Conrad had never met. At the first meeting, they immediately became friends and sometimes had a few short dialogues in which they tease each other.

During the pirates' attack and their stay on the ship, Alex and Conrad work harmoniously, first coming up with a plan to motivate the pirates and then a plan to escape from the locked room. Although otherwise, the guys just communicate and show more of some kind of special relationship, they worry about each other. If one of them dies, the other will be saddened and Conrad will even take revenge on Olson.

  • Alex doesn't kick Junior after he attacks Conrad. (Theatrical Cut)
  • When Julia is taken away, Conrad sarcastically tells Alex that the girls will break first.
  • If the plan failed, Alex will scold Conrad for ruining the plan. (Theatrical Cut)

  • Alex kicks Junior after he attacks Conrad. (Theatrical Cut)
  • When Julia is taken away, Conrad reassures Alex that the pirates won't harm Julia since they didn't harm Fliss.
  • If the plan failed, Alex will comfort Conrad and reassure him that it wasn't his fault. (Theatrical Cut)

Fliss[]

Prior to the events of the game, Alex and Fliss had never met. While interacting on the Duke of Milan, they mostly show a guide-client relationship, sometimes having little arguments about diving to an unregistered wreck or bringing things from there.

However, during the pirate attack, Alex suspects that Fliss is at the same time with them, which he can openly tell her, what will offend Fliss. On the ship, realizing that Fliss was the same victim as the others, Alex apologizes to her and they will continue to work towards a common goal.

But despite this, in the end, if the distributor cap is destroyed, Alex always decides to stay on the Ourang Medan while Fliss always decides to escape on the Duke of Milan that is inactive.

Trivia[]

Playability[]

Pictures[]

See also: Category:Pictures found by Alex

Secrets[]

See also: Category:Secrets found by Alex

Facts[]

  • Alex's highest base relationship status is with Julia.
  • Alex's lowest base relationship status is with Conrad and Fliss.
  • Alex is currently studying at an Ivy League university. Moreover, he attends the same university as Julia, which led to their meeting and courtship.
  • Alex has attended med school for four years, which means he may be 21 years old.

Deaths[]

  • Alex and Julia are the third protagonists who can die, starting with Revenge.
  • Alex has the least deaths (with 9) and is tied with Conrad and Julia for having the least chapters to die in (with 5).
  • If Conrad escaped or died before Revenge, Alex and Julia cannot be killed as no one will block their way and they will both successfully escape from Olson.

Other[]

Trophies[]

  • Alex has 8 trophies associated with him:
    • He shares with the other protagonists the trophies "That's something, I suppose" and "Not a sole survivor".
    • He shares with Brad and Conrad the trophy "Right there with ya, boys".
    • He shares with Brad the trophy "Medium bro".
    • He shares with Conrad the trophy "Break'em during the thunder".
    • He shares with Julia the trophies "Lovebirds" and "Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!".
    • His personal trophy is "Big man on campus".

Quotes[]

Will you marry me?
Come here, you vixen.
Alright everyone. Check it out! Manchurian Gold! Who wants to find some sunken treasure?!
Well... at least one of us can get on their boat. Get some help.
You're all in this together. This is a trap and you set us up!
Hey bud, we are going to talk, and then we are going to keep talking, and then we might talk a little more. So you know what? Get used to it.
What the hell is this fuckin' place?
We can't just sit around. We need a plan.
While those guys are out panning for Manchurian Gold or whatever they think they're gonna find on this floating coffin. We gotta take advantage and look around for a way outta here!
Let's just stay calm, and relatively sane about this, okay?
Hey little bro... I'm thinking you might deserve a promotion... How's medium bro sound? You stepped up to the plate... Put yourself right in the line of fire. I'm impressed... Seriously.
You didn't fucking see that?... Right. No. Of course you didn't. Yeah I think I'm actually seeing clearly for the first time in a while. Nothing jumped out at me. So, this ship was carrying "Manchurian Gold", but that turned out not to be gold at all. It's a toxic chemical. And there's this weird fog everywhere right? Well maybe that's Manchurian Gold! And maybe we're breathing it in and it's fucking us right the hell up! I sure as shit saw some stuff I cannot believe. Maybe I was right not to believe it. I was hallucinating!
That fucker that took our boat, he thought there was gold. He wanted the gold. That's all this was about. Manchurian Gold. Well, that turned out to be quite a bit different than we expected.

Gallery

GallPic

Click to view the gallery for Alex.

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