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James is a lot more passionate about his beliefs and isn't afraid to step out of line to stand up for them. I respect that a hell of a lot more than a generic grunt who will do as I say 90% of the time without question.
James also gives voice to the frustrations many humans should be feeling in those moments: "why are we engaging in a political dance-off with the council when Earth could be destroyed TOMORROW?!" Which makes complete sense to me. Having each and every character be super mature going, "yeah, this is the best course of action" is unrealistic. It's important to have a character that absolutely hates that in order to save Earth you have to "abandon" it in order to gain allies.
This also gives James a better character arc, where he gradually learns to temper his emotions to become a better soldier. Jacob has no arc. He's a good soldier already, so there's nothing for him to improve or change. That to me makes him less interesting than James who has challenges he needs to overcome to improve.
Watch Mass Effect: Paragon Lost[www.imdb.com]. You might not like James even then, but you'll understand him better.
Its a toss up of who is worse, James or Jacob really. I totally get the 'yes man' criticism.
But I still think James is a childish idiot and I would have kicked him off asap to go fight and die like he wants on a front line somewhere because he rushed in against his commanders orders.
There is a time and place to discuss things, in the heat of a mission is not the place, especially when, like on Mars, there is a Major also standing there with you that you have zero reason to question. Let Kaiden or Ashley keep an eye on Shepard, James you are the grunt, go back to the ship. By not trusting Shep he's not trusting the rest of his commanders.
As I mention, he doesn't have a high rank in the slightest, he behaves waaaay above his station.
Other crew members much more effectively debate issues with you without seeming like a snobby impulsive brat.
I don't think he does a good job of representing people of Earth who are frustrated at doing political dances to get allies. If anything he shows a bad petty inpatient side of humanity we should be growing past.
Ok, but we agree, he's still pretty trash right? Like bottom of the barrel. Being the best of the worst doesn't mean you like him much.
Of course, we agree! He is maybe third worst companion IMHO, second being Kaidan and first Jacob! Close fourth place goes to Zaeed!
I just wanted to make sure I'm not the only one thinking his character is a prick when he turns up and just becomes slightly less insufferable when he learns later.
James can stay on the Normandy.
Jacob is non-existent to me. Conrad Verner has more use than him.
Again, to me that's what makes him compelling as a character. He's not a generic grunt who does everything he's supposed to do, but he actually challenges you based upon what he wants or believes is best. I appreciate a character like that more than I appreciate a character who will just go, "yes sir, ok sir." the whole game. If James had been like that he'd be as bland as Jacob or worse.
You can check him as well when you talk individually with him if his approach bothers you that much. Like when he calls me, "Loco" my response is, "yeah call me whatever you like, just make sure to remember I'm in command" while other players can go, "It's 'Commander' to you, lieutenant" and enforce rank more explicitly. That to me is a more engaging conversation/interaction than whatever dialogue you get with Jacob.
Even Kaidan/Ashley get more on my nerves than James, and for the wrong reasons. Neither of them believe in Shepard for a good chunk of ME3 even though they do know you better than James. The fact that James stands up for you more than them makes me feel like James has a better read on people than either Ashley/Kaidan.
Like, The Reapers have just invaded Earth just like Shep said and everyone in Earth High Command is like "What can it be that got past our Solar Warning Nets?"........The Reapers. Obviously. You didn't listen to Shepard when he said they were coming and now they're here.
James immediately forgets that Shepard was right when everyone else was wrong about literally everything. He ignores the chain of command and disregards Sheps orders which are in turn Hacketts orders, to get to Mars and investigate.
Sure, James eventually learns to trust Shepard but as an Alliance Soldier refusal to follow Shepard and the Admiral of the Fleet (Hackett) boggles me just like OP.
By that logic we should also be annoyed at Shepard for wanting to convince Anderson to join him on the Normandy. Remember that Shepard only agreed to leave Anderson behind after Anderson re-instated him/her and commanded him/her to leave as his/her boss. Prior to that Shepard seemed willing to force the issue as much as he/she could.
On that note, shouldn't we also get annoyed at Anderson for choosing to stay? If Shepard's right, shouldn't Anderson help in the political effort rather than remaining on Earth? He's got more political clout than James, after all.
The issue is that it's an extremely heated moment where being rational is exceptionally difficult. It makes sense for James as the passionate newbie to give in to his emotions rather than to think logically and maturely in that moment.