I also really love how my expectations for the finale were completely subverted. Knowing that how I chose to have Rhys and Fiona act toward those around them had actual ramifications retroactively made me like and appreciate previous episodes even more. Everything from how much mercy I showed in Episode 1, to how I treated an ally in Episode 3, to how much money I spent along the journey (which, up until now, seemed to be a frustratingly useless mechanic) funneled into the final act in meaningful way that gave me a really great sense of authorship over the finale. I’m really impressed at how Episode 5 takes the entire breadth of your choices into account in a more impactful way than any Telltale game in recent memory. Telltale has always been at its best when its stories deal with shades of gray, and Tales From the Borderlands absolutely captures that. I spent much of the episode looking back on the choices I’d made throughout the season, and genuinely wondering if I'd made the right decisions.
The stakes reach new heights as Fiona, Rhys, and company have to come to terms with the destruction they've caused and really ask themselves, "Has this all been worth it?" After a series filled with so many hilarious moments, I was honestly surprised at how impactful these emotional, contemplative moments truly were. With a reveal set to happen in Summer, fans may not have long to wait for answers regarding which choices will carry over.After the wheel-spinning disappointment of Episode 4, The Vault of the Traveler wastes no time in a runaway approach to the finish line. While it remains to be seen if any of these characters will feature in the sequel, it makes sense to have a few of them make an appearance even if they are not the main focus of the game. Athena and Springs being married would make sense, too. The Handsome Jack AI will likely be fully destroyed, Rhys will either be dating or crushing on Sasha, and Fiona seems poised to be a Vault Hunter. Still, fans can expect a handful of choices to carry over. Other choices, like the potential deaths of Felix and Cassius, could go either way. While Fiona’s location after interacting with the chest in the Vault of the Traveler remains unknown, choosing to set her on a Vault Hunter’s path beforehand is a decision that will likely be made canon. However, the story is not subtle about Fiona being skilled at Vault Hunting and having fun on the adventure, so it makes sense to carry over the choice players can make about her future. Lastly, Fiona as a Vault Hunter is something that players can try to shy away from if they want her to continue conning people on Pandora. As such, Fiona’s choice to tell Springs Athena loves her will likely carry over. With Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel teasing the romance and the original Tales from the Borderlands making it a reality, the ending where the two get married is likely the canon scenario. Throughout the game, it seems clear that Telltale wants players to do this, as they get a few opportunities to push the pair closer together. Tales from the Borderlands fans also have a chance to bring another couple together in the form of Springs and Athena.
If Sasha reappears, this romance will likely be mentioned. At the very least, Rhys is harboring feelings for Sasha in Borderlands 3, meaning the player’s choice to avoid the relationship completely will surely be ignored. Based on a photo placed on his desk in Borderlands 3, Rhys clearly has feelings for Sasha, meaning that Gearbox has likely already canonized the ending where the Sasha romance occurs. Speaking of Rhys, players have a chance to make the current Atlas CEO romance Sasha in the original game.