The Third Way

Spoiler Warning: Plot details, ending details, or both are in the text which follows.

“

My bad, homie. I picked C. Ain't that a bitch?

”

— Franklin Clinton to Devin Weston.

“

You know, Devin, the way I see it, and hey, I'm no intelligent businessman like you, but the way I see it, there's two great evils that bedevil American capitalism of the type that you practice. Number one is outsourcing. You paid a private company to do your dirty work for ya, and then you underpaid that company because you thought you were big enough and bad enough that you didn't have to play by the rules.

”

— Michael De Santa, moments before killing Devin.

“

I'll tell ya one thing T, I'm gettin' too old for this nonsense.

”

— Michael's announcement of his retirement to Trevor, also the final line in the main game's storyline.

The Third Way is the final storyline mission in Grand Theft Auto V. The mission is triggered if the player has Franklin choose option C (Deathwish).

Overview

The mission begins with Franklin at the "F" marker on the map shortly after the final heist on the Union Depository Tower. Devin Weston shows up at Franklin's house and attempts to convince Franklin to kill Michael De Santa. After Devin leaves, the player is given a set of three options on his cell phone, Kill Trevor (A), Kill Michael (B), or Deathwish (C). Choosing C leads to this mission, and has him call Lester instead.

The mission sends Franklin to the home of Lester Crest. Franklin and Lester, at first, seem to not have any hope of thinking of a way so both Trevor and Michael survive. But after a brainstorm, Lester comes up with a plan to avoid having to kill either Michael or Trevor Philips. They lead the FIB and Merryweather into a trap at the foundry under the pretense of melting down the gold there from the Union Depository heist.

Shootout At The Foundry

Franklin picks up Lamar Davis at his home and they go to the foundry, with Lamar having newfound respect for Franklin for doing this for both Trevor and Michael rather than himself. Lamar waits outside while Franklin goes inside to find Michael and Trevor arguing and about to kill each other; Michael with a sniper rifle and Trevor with a combat MG, but he easily stops them. Lamar then warns Franklin about the FIB agents approaching fast towards the foundry and their location, and Michael, Trevor, and Franklin team up to kill all of the FIB agents and Merryweather mercenaries sent against them in one swift ambush. Various stages of the ensuing battle require that the player provide backup to certain characters. First, Lamar will radio that he's being overrun and needs help. Franklin must get out to the foundry entrance where he dropped off Lamar and kill the FIB agents attacking him before he is wasted and the mission fails. Then Michael must go over to where Trevor was positioned to check on him. Trevor gets back up (supposedly being knocked out, and having not been shot possibly because the agents assumed they killed him most likely), and Michael and Trevor must fight their way out of the foundry and help Franklin kill off any remaining FIB and Merryweather forces in the area.

Finally, after all of the troops are killed, the trio take a moment to catch their breaths before Franklin brings up the fact that they've still got work to do. Namely pick off different people who either betrayed or tried to kill the trio in the past. After getting locations courtesy of Lester, Franklin, Michael, and Trevor all go after their respective targets. Trevor personally jumps on the chance to kill Steve Haines, Michael offers to murder Stretch as a favor to Franklin, and Franklin is left with Wei Cheng to get rid of and they all go after a target they weren't directly involved with to throw off suspicion.

Michael is sent to kill Stretch as revenge for betraying Franklin and Lamar in Lamar Down.
Trevor is sent to kill Steve Haines for betraying Michael in The Wrap Up.
Franklin is sent to kill Wei Cheng for betraying Trevor in Bury the Hatchet, kidnapping and torturing Michael in Fresh Meat, and interfering with Trevor's business interests.
Once the above targets are eliminated, Trevor goes to Devin Weston's mansion to kidnap him as revenge for betraying him, Franklin, and Lamar out of a lucrative payday after they give him the luxury cars he wanted as well as sending Merryweather troops to Michael's house as payback for Molly's accidental death. Trevor must fight his way through Merryweather security forces to kidnap Devin.

Killing Stretch

Stretch is found on a basketball court next to the BJ Smith Recreational Center with several gang bangers around. He's relatively easy to eliminate and his homies are mostly packing pistols. Taking too long to escape, however, will make the surviving Ballas get in their cars and chase you. Kill him with a melee attack to get a Gold medal.

Killing Steve Haines

Steve is found on the ferris wheel on the boardwalk shooting a video for a TV show. Him and a camera man are in one of the ferris wheel cars. Approaching too close to the ferris wheel or missing too many shots will alert Steve and fail the mission. Trevor must pick off Steve from a distance, for which a sniper rifle is required. After killing Steve, Trevor must lose the cops before heading after Devin. Kill Haines with a headshot to get a Gold medal.

Killing Wei Cheng

Wei Cheng is found surrounded by body guards near a series of vehicles. As soon as Franklin arrives, his body guards get him into a sedan and attempting to escape while shooting at Franklin from their cars. If Franklin acts quickly (likely with pre-placed Sticky Bombs or a Minigun), he can kill Wei Cheng before he leaves the parking lot and save himself from having to chase down the fleeing convoy on the highway. Kill Cheng with a sticky bomb to get a Gold medal.

Kidnapping Devin Weston

Trevor must make his way through a batallion of eight Merryweather guards patrolling the house to get to Devin. He can either take a subtle approach by sneaking around and knocking out the guards (or killing them with a suppressed weapon), or he can take a direct route and attack the guards head on. After Trevor makes his way through the Merryweather security forces, he finds Devin hiding in a trunk near the pool. Devin is pulled out and carried to his Tornado in the drive-way. Trevor throws Devin in the trunk and goes to meet up with Franklin and Michael.

Ending C

After taunting Devin about their final victory against him, the three protagonists push the Tornado with Devin in the trunk off a cliff and into the ocean below, with the car exploding, killing Devin. Trevor then asks what they're going to do now, with Michael responding that they're going to lay low for a while then get on with their lives, with Trevor suggesting as friends, and Michael accepting, as "flawed, awful, totally uncomfortable, and poorly matched friends." Trevor then states that they could then go back to the "capitalism they practice," planning even more heists, but being better funded with the money from the Union Depository, but this time with Franklin saying that what they'll do will not be as different as what Devin did. Trevor then tells Michael that his therapist has a lot to answer to for, which Michael calmly agrees too, saying that even though he hates himself, now he knows how to say it, responded by Trevor asking if he has to go to a therapy session because he hates Michael. Sensing another argument break out, Franklin tells the two that they make him scared of turning middle-aged, backing away to his Bagger and starting to drive-off. Michael soon follows after him, but not before announcing to Trevor about his official retirement from his life of crime. As Trevor looks on at the both of them driving away, he starts to awkwardly walk off-screen as the credits roll. After the credits the player gains control of Trevor just as he arrives home in Sandy Shores.

Deaths

Stretch - Killed by Michael for trying to have Franklin Clinton and Lamar Davis killed.
Wei Cheng - Killed by Franklin for attempting to kill both Trevor Philips and Michael De Santa.
Steve Haines - Killed by Trevor for attempting to have Trevor killed and for betraying Michael at the Kortz Center.
Devin Weston - Killed by Michael, Franklin and Trevor for attempting to have Michael De Santa and his family killed, and for cheating them out of a payday for the car thefts.
Many Merryweather and FIB members - Killed by Franklin, Trevor, Lamar and Michael.
Tao Cheng (optional) - Can be killed by Franklin.
Several Ballas members - (optional) Can be killed by Michael.
Several Triad members - (optional) Can be killed by Frankiln.
Several Los Santos Police Department Officers - (optional) Can be killed by Trevor after he kills Haines.
Devin Weston's Merryweather bodyguards - Killed by Trevor for trying to stop him from kidnapping Devin.

Mission objectives

Go pick up Lamar at his house. - (Franklin)
Ambush the FIB team when ready. - (Michael, Trevor and Franklin)
Go to Lamar. - (Franklin)
Take out the attackers. - (Franklin)
Rescue Trevor. - (Michael)
Take out the attackers. - (Michael and Trevor)
Go outside. - (Franklin)
Regroup outside the main doors. - (Franklin)
Get rid of Mr. Cheng. - (Franklin)
Escape the Triads. - (Franklin)
Take out Stretch. - (Michael)
Escape the Ballas. - (Michael)
Bring down Haines. - (Trevor)
Lose the Cops. - (Trevor)
Go to Devin's house. - (Trevor)
Take out the guards. - (Trevor)
Kidnap Devin. - (Trevor)
Go to the rendezvous point. - (Trevor)
Finish Devin. - (Michael, Trevor and Franklin)

Gold Medal Objectives

Time - Complete within 21:30
Headshots - Kill 20 enemies with a headshot
Accuracy - Finish with a shooting accuracy of at least 70%
Stick, Tick... Boom! - Kill Cheng with a Sticky Bomb
Lead Lobotomy - Kill Steve Haines with a headshot
Stretched Out - Kill Stretch with a melee attack

Aftermath

Weazel News Newspaper

"In a sad day for national security, private security company Merryweather has announced that it has shut down its domestic operations indefinitely following another high-profile incident, this time a shootout at a foundry in East Los Santos. Merryweather will switch focus back to its "bread and butter" security contracts in the Middle East where the enemies are less well-equipped, the glare of the media lens is less harsh, and preemptive strikes less likely to be taken out of context as "killing sprees".

Liberty Tree Newspaper

"Billionaire investor and life style guru Devin Weston has disappeared. Police suspect foul play, but no body has been recovered. Mr. Weston, 51, who rose to fame in the tech bubble and subsequently made more money in a host of other industries, including entertainment, the Internet, currency trading and luxury travel, recently caused controversy when he invested heavily in Merryweather, the notorious and discredited private security firm run by Don Percival. Police responded to sounds of gunfire at Mr. Weston's villas in the hills above Chumash, but despite signs of violence and several dead security guards, Mr. Weston himself was not found, dead or alive. Also missing was one of Mr. Weston's collection of luxury cars."

Los Santos Meteor Newspaper

"Steve Haines, decorated FIB agent and host of the popular TV show "The Underbelly Of Paradise" unwittingly helped expose that underbelly further yesterday as he was assassinated while filming a segment of his TV show on the Ferris Whale on Del Perro Pier. Agent Haines, who had twice recently been injured in the line of duty, had been an agent for nearly 20 years and a TV host for five. FIB spokesman Gary Lane told the Los Santos Meteor "Agent Haines died a hero, doing what he loved, which was presenting a TV show. He really helped combine the chaos of anti-terrorism and the mindlessness of network television into one highly successful career." Mr. Haines who was not married, lived with his mother."

Daily Rag Newspaper

"Wei Cheng, a prominent Triad gang boss was murdered yesterday. His Triad had been weakened by a series of recent incidents, both in Los Santos and bizarrely up in Ludendorff, North Yankton. Mr. Cheng, a Chinese national, was believed to be prominent in a two-way drug and weapon trade between China and the US, smuggling materials in and out of the country via the Port of Los Santos.

Los Santos Shepherd Newspaper

"A notorious member of the Chamberlain Gangsters Families gang was killed yesterday, only months after he released on parole. Harold OG Stretch was shot while playing basketball. No witnesses have come forward. Mr. Joseph was unmarried."

Bleeter Posts

@tttturtledog - "No way! Steve Haines murdered! I love The Underbelly Of Paradise! What do you reckon - IAA assassination or gangland revenge hit?"
@MerryweatherSecurity - "Merryweather Security Consulting is winding down its United States operation. This is nothing to do with the congressional investigation into its activities. We will continue to offer innovative and cost effective warfare and foreign policy solutions throughout the developing world."

Tips

When it's time to eliminate the main antagonists, Franklin will be the initial playable character. However, he will be far enough from Wei Cheng; it is recommended to switch to another character, so that Franklin will be much closer to the target when switching back to him, in order to save time.
Additionally, it is recommended NOT to have Trevor as the last one to kill his target, or else he will have to travel a long distance in order to reach Devin Weston after directly killing Haines.
Therefore, it is recommended to have Trevor kill his target first, so the player can kill the other two targets in any order they like to save time.
To kill Wei Cheng quickly and get the gold medal requirements, as soon you're approaching the club, get off your bike and quickly throw sticky bombs in the driveway of the parking area before they leave. As soon the convoy is about to leave, detonate the bombs and Cheng will be killed quickly.

Trivia

After you help Lamar fight off Merryweather soldiers outside of the warehouse, he is nowhere to be found and isn't seen leaving the area after the soldiers are all dead. However, Franklin talks to him on the phone afterwards, proving that he survived the shoot out. Another proof of Lamar's survival is that you can still hang out with him once this mission is complete.
Weirdly, when you go to the foundry with Lamar as Franklin, you are in his Buffalo but when you leave you are on his Bagger. It is unknown how it gets there.
This is the most chosen ending by many GTA V players, probably due to the fact that 3 characters makes the game experience better.
Sometimes when the game ends and you switch to Trevor, he may be listening to Los Santos Rock Radio, and that station may be playing "The Setup" by Favored Nations. It is unknown to why Los Santos Rock Radio would be playing this song, most likely a glitch.
After completing this mission, each character will receive their cut from the final heist in The Big Score.
This is the only ending in which all of the main antagonists are killed.
"The Setup" by Favored Nations plays after this mission, at the beginning of the credits.
This is the first time in the GTA series where all the major antagonists are killed in the same mission.
Trevor will always be the one to kidnap Devin regardless of whoever finished their tasks first or last. It should be noted that the player must then hunt Devin all the way to his house if Trevor is the last character to kill his target, which can be very time consuming and make the time check for the golden award difficult.
To some people, when playing as Michael to assassinate Stretch, it might be difficult to identify who he is, leading to mistakes that some of his goons that are with him are assassinated instead, and then Stretch makes a run for it. Due to this, the "Stretched Out" optional objective might also be difficult to perform. This might be caused because of the lack of appearances Stretch had in game. Despite this, however, he is fairly easy to kill, likely taking the same amount of bullets as his cronies, if not a few more.
The internet news article about Stretch's death, mentions that he was assassinated after a couple of months of being released from prison, this means that the events of the storyline happens during at least two in-game months.
When Trevor enters the Tornado after putting Devin in the trunk, the radio station will be tuned in to Los Santos Rock Radio, and the track "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You" will always play.
Devin's Tornado has a personal license plate, which reads "MONIED".
In the beta, the scene where Trevor turns to Michael and Franklin and says: "So, now what?", was supposed to happen in the mission Blitz Play and the scene where Trevor tells Michael "Jesus your therapist has a lot to answer for" was originally going to play in Three's Company. Although it is likely that Rockstar simply reskinned these cutscenes to mask their context. The phrase "therapy has a lot to answer for" is also said by Tony Prince in his character trailer.
This is the only ending mission of GTA V that does not involve a scripted car chase.
When Michael, Trevor, and Franklin are pushing Devin's car off the cliff, this is the only time in the game you are technically controlling all three of the main characters at once.
- The pause menu still indicates that Trevor is currently playable, however.
After completing this mission if you switch to Michael, Dave Norton will call and say that he hopes Michael is "behaving" himself. If the player gets a wanted level, Dave will call again and tell Michael to stop causing trouble. This only happens for the first wanted level obtained after completing the mission.
Before the player gets to choose between A, B, and C, Devin's final words to Franklin is '''bye bye'''. In this ending, Franklin's final words are also '''Bye bye''' to Devin
When Michael says "Be very afraid" to Franklin it may be a reference to The Fly (1986) due to Michael's love of movies.
When Trevor finds Devin Weston hiding in a trunk by the pool he only has his pants on. A reason for this could be that he went swimming right before Trevor invaded his house, then Devin Weston hid in the trunk without changing clothes.
If you switch back to Franklin after completing the game, Tanisha will call Franklin to tell him that she is getting married the day after and also tells him to take care of himself.
The title is a reference to Franklin choosing C, the third option and where all three protagonists survive.
The last phrase said by Michael might be a nod to the famous quote of Captain Roger Murtaugh from the film series Lethal Weapon "I'm too old for this shit".
If you change the protagonists' clothes before starting this mission at Lester's house, by the time you reach the foundry with Lamar, Trevor and Michael will be wearing different clothes. Michael will wear blue jeans and a brown leather jacket, while Trevor will wear blue jeans and a white t-shirt. Once you get to the cliff by the end of this mission, Franklin and Trevor will be wearing the same outfit as they did during the mission but Michael, however, has changed his clothes to whatever you made him wear before this mission.

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