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This Article Contains Spoilers -
WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you do not wish to know vital information on plot / character elements in a story, you may not wish to read beyond this warning: We hold no responsibility for any negative effects these facts may have on your enjoyment of said media should you continue.
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| “ | Ralph, friends who want to stay friends don't discuss religion or politics, and in my case you can add the war to that. | „ |
| ~ Cole Phelps. |
| “ | You say one more word about him and I will blow your F*CKING head off! | „ |
| ~ Cole losing his cool with Roy Earle. |
Cole Cole is the primary protagonist of the 2011 Rockstar Games video game L.A. Noire. Following his service in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II, Cole came back to his hometown and became a member of the Los Angeles Police Department. He swiftly demonstrated his exceptional skills as a police officer, achieving the rank of detective at a relatively young age. In Los Angeles, Cole frequently takes on the responsibility of unraveling various criminal cases across different divisions including patrol, traffic, homicide, vice, and arson.
He is portrayed as a dedicated and principled police officer who strives to uphold justice and solve crimes. Throughout the game, players guide Cole as he investigates various cases and navigates the complex world of post-World War II Los Angeles.
While Cole may have his flaws and faces personal challenges, he is ultimately driven by a sense of duty and a desire to do what's right. However, his past actions during war and scandals he faces toward the latter-half of the story highlight his true character as morally ambiguous or questionable. He often grapples with his own demons and makes certain choices that can be debated in terms of their ethical implications. Despite this, his overall characterization leans more toward that of a tragic or fallen hero as opposed to an outright villain.
He was voiced and motion captured by Aaron Staton.
His Good Ranking[]
What Makes Him Admirable?[]
Debated Validation[]
- At the end of the game, Cole allows Jack to kill Ira Hogeboom, even though other options might have been possible. However, it can be seen as an admirable act due to Ira's trauma from war preventing him from living a normal life, resulting in his declining mental state and attempted murder of Elsa, making it a mercy kill.
In General[]
- Cole's sense of guilt and duty, rooted in his experiences during WWII, comes to the forefront in the game. During the war, he was involved in a decision that led to the deaths of innocent civilians. Though the game never fully resolves his inner turmoil, Cole's actions throughout the game reflect his drive to redeem himself by seeking justice and protecting others. His sense of personal responsibility grows as he works on cases, particularly in dealing with the darker side of law enforcement.
Work as an LAPD Detective[]
- As he advances in the LAPD, Cole is confronted with widespread corruption, both in the police force and in the city's institutions. He refuses to turn a blind eye to the criminal activities of fellow officers and is unafraid to stand up to the higher-ups who might be involved in illegal or immoral activities.
- Notably, in cases like The Consul's Car and The Fallen Idol, Cole risks his career to expose corrupt figures in the department, even when it puts him at odds with his superiors.
- Throughout his investigations, Cole consistently tries to protect the innocent. In cases like A Marriage Made in Heaven (where a man is killed in what seems to be a hit-and-run, but a more complex plot involving insurance fraud emerges), Cole focuses on uncovering the truth, even when the people involved may not be who they seem.
- In other cases, such as The Gas Man, where an arsonist is setting fires across the city, Cole works tirelessly to stop the killer before more innocent people are harmed.
- Cole frequently puts himself in danger to protect others, whether it's chasing down suspects, intervening in shootouts, or risking his life to rescue people from dangerous situations. He often acts as the first line of defense in tense situations, ensuring that the criminals don't get away or cause further harm.
- Throughout the game, Cole is often faced with morally questionable situations involving his partners. One of the most significant relationships in the game is his partnership with Stefan Bekowsky, a fellow officer. Bekowsky is initially skeptical of Cole' idealism, but over time, the two bond. In the game’s finale, Cole proves his loyalty to Bekowsky and to the ideals they share, even as the LAPD itself spirals into corruption.
- One of the most notable heroic actions Cole takes is in the investigation of the Black Dahlia murders, which were inspired by a real-life case. The investigation leads to a series of chilling discoveries, and Cole uncovers the killer’s identity, taking down a powerful and dangerous figure. His actions in solving this case, which had far-reaching consequences, show his commitment to bringing justice to even the most horrifying crimes.
- As the story reaches its climax, Cole makes the ultimate sacrifice, giving up his life to save Elsa Lichtmann.
What Makes Him Inconsistent?[]
- He's very arrogant and prideful, especially in the second half of the game's story, when Cole begins making headlines and garnering notoriety due to his involvement in solving cases, resulting in the fame going to his head.
- His overconfidence sometimes leads him to pursue cases without fully understanding them and jumping to conclusions during investigations.
- He also shows impatience toward his partners and acts superior to them on several occasions, often disregarding their input and ordering them around when they're meant to work together as equals.
- In free-roam, Cole can break numerous traffic laws, damage property, and even endanger pedestrians while driving.
- He sometimes goes too far in interrogations by being abusive, manipulative, or exploiting suspects’ vulnerabilities. For example, he insulted Valdez, accusing him of being a pedophile with no evidence, just to rile him up, and threatened to arrest a suspect's pregnant wife for being an "accomplice", although he was mostly bluffing.
- While Cole often uses lethal force in self-defense or to protect others, he sometimes uses violence or even kills suspects when it may not be necessary.
- In free-roam, he can potentially kill multiple suspects when there are alternative solutions available, like firing warning shots or tackling them.
- In the Patrol case Warrants Outstanding, Cole pursues Wendell Bowsers, a suspect wanted for serial burglary, and corners him on a rooftop, where the two engage in a fistfight, ending with Cole knocking Bowsers out before arresting him. During the fight, however, the player has the ability to knock Bowsers off the roof, causing him to fall to his death. If this happens, Cole faces no consequences for the incident nor shows any remorse for his actions.
- He lied about an incident in the Pacific during WWII that led to the deaths of countless women and children, as well as fellow soldiers. Although, the reason he hides the truth is because he feels deep guilt over what happened and is haunted by it.
- His affair with Elsa Lichtmann and subsequent divorce from his wife, Marie, demonstrate Cole's neglect of his family. However, he shows remorse for this and rejects Elsa's advances from that point onward.
- His personal struggles can affect his professionalism, leading to erratic and dangerous behavior. For example, he once threatened Roy Earle, a fellow officer, and held him at gunpoint during a heated argument.
Trivia[]
- Cole Cole is the only character in L.A. Noire to be Inconsistently Admirable.
External Links[]
- Cole Phelps on the Heroes Wiki
[]
 Inconsistently Admirable
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Grand Theft Auto Red Dead L.A. Noire Max Payne Manhunt See Also | ||