Mike Toreno: Difference between revisions

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:''You may be looking for the [[Mike Toreno (mission)|mission]] of the same name.''
:''You may be looking for the [[Mike Toreno (mission)|mission]] of the same name.''


'''Mike Toreno''' is an undercover agent from a government agency (which he refuses to comment on, but most likely the NSA or CIA, since his later dialogue rules out the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]) who disguises himself as a drug supplier for the [[Loco Syndicate]].
'''Mike Toreno''' is an undercover agent from a "government agency" (most likely the NSA, since his later dialogue rules out the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]) who disguises himself as a drug supplier for the [[Loco Syndicate]]. CJ first meets Mike after the agent is mistakenly abducted by a gang of [[Da Nang Boys]] who are stealing one of the syndicate's drug vans with Toreno inside. CJ and [[T-Bone Mendez]] [[Mike Toreno (mission)|locate the vehicle]] at the [[Easter Bay International Airport]], and free Toreno; the agent is immediately suspicious of CJ, but Mendez convinces Toreno not to shoot him. All three then destroy the van, with the cocaine still inside.
====Earlier, as the Loco Syndicate's most powerful figure====
 
The first time CJ sees Mike Toreno is during his [[Photo Opportunity|investigation of the Loco Syndicate]] when he has yet to learn Toreno's name, but gets a bad vibe even looking at him. CJ first meets Mike after the agent is mistakenly abducted by a gang of [[Da Nang Boys]] who are stealing one of the syndicate's drug vans with Toreno inside. CJ and [[T-Bone Mendez]] [[Mike Toreno (mission)|locate the vehicle]] at the [[Easter Bay International Airport]], and free Toreno; the agent is immediately suspicious of CJ, but Mendez convinces Toreno not to shoot him. All three then destroy the van, with the cocaine still inside.


Following the [[Ice Cold Killa|death]] of [[Jizzy B.]], CJ and his associates plan to [[Pier 69 (mission)|ambush]] the Syndicate's drug purchase at Pier 69. CJ assists them with a [[Sniper Rifle|sniper rifle]], but Toreno, arriving by helicopter, notices CJ's victims on top of the pier buildings, and aborts his landing. CJ later tracks the chopper to another location, and [[Toreno's Last Flight|shoots it out of the sky]]; Toreno is presumed dead.
Following the [[Ice Cold Killa|death]] of [[Jizzy B.]], CJ and his associates plan to [[Pier 69 (mission)|ambush]] the Syndicate's drug purchase at Pier 69. CJ assists them with a [[Sniper Rifle|sniper rifle]], but Toreno, arriving by helicopter, notices CJ's victims on top of the pier buildings, and aborts his landing. CJ later tracks the chopper to another location, and [[Toreno's Last Flight|shoots it out of the sky]]; Toreno is presumed dead.
====Later, as a government agent====


Toreno, however, was never on the helicopter, having anticipated another attack like the one at [[Pier 69]], and sent a decoy. After the Loco Syndicate plant is destroyed in [[San Fierro]], Toreno goes into hiding and, using a digitally-distorted voice, calls CJ to invite him to a secluded ranch in [[Tierra Robada]]. Carl is shocked by Toreno's survival, and curses him as a mere drug dealer; Toreno reveals that he is in fact a government agent, and explains that he was distributing the cocaine to raise funds for overseas dictators and "useful" drug suppliers.
Toreno, however, was never on the helicopter, having anticipated another attack like the one at [[Pier 69]], and sent a decoy. After the Loco Syndicate plant is destroyed in [[San Fierro]], Toreno goes into hiding and, using a digitally-distorted voice, calls CJ to invite him to a secluded ranch in [[Tierra Robada]]. Carl is shocked by Toreno's survival, and curses him as a mere drug dealer; Toreno reveals that he is in fact a government agent, and explains that he was distributing the cocaine to raise funds for overseas dictators and "useful" drug suppliers.
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Toreno makes Carl an offer: if Carl works for him, taking down enemy agents and sabotaging rival agencies, no harm will come to Carl's brother, [[Sweet]], who is now in prison; Toreno promises that, if CJ does enough work, Sweet will be released early.
Toreno makes Carl an offer: if Carl works for him, taking down enemy agents and sabotaging rival agencies, no harm will come to Carl's brother, [[Sweet]], who is now in prison; Toreno promises that, if CJ does enough work, Sweet will be released early.


Toreno's assignments, which include [[N.O.E.|dropping supplies by plane while avoiding radar detection]] and [[Interdiction|shooting down FBI choppers]] from a plateau, strike CJ as almost impossible. Later, Toreno sends Carl to [[Verdant Meadows (mission)|purchase]] the [[Verdant Meadows|Verdant Meadows Aircraft Graveyard]], a defunct landing strip in [[Bone County]], and use the facility to have CJ trained as a pilot. At one point, a container jet lands without warning at the airstrip, and men in black suits and sunglasses empty out of it. Toreno instructs CJ to sneak onboard and [[Stowaway|bomb the plane]]. While fighting the "agents" onboard, they utter strange phrases such as "Carbon-based buffoon!" and "You evolved from shrews!"
Philosophically, Toreno is a highly cynical American imperialist. He primarily uses CJ as a courier, saboteur, and assassin. Though he knows of [[Frank Tenpenny|Tenpenny]] and [[Eddie Pulaski|Pulaski's]] dirty dealings, as well as their hold over CJ, Toreno does not use his power to stop them — he tells CJ, "we have to make decisions, kid. You know, I try to set bad people on other bad people. And sometimes, I let good guys die." Toreno, like Tenpenny, seems to have gravitated toward committing heinous acts in the name of a greater good. He equates maintenance of the American socioeconomic system with the continued survival of the free world.
 
Toreno's assignments, which include [[N.O.E.|dropping supplies by plane while avoiding radar detection]] and [[Interdiction|shooting down FBI choppers]] from a plateau, strike CJ as almost impossible.
 
Later, Toreno sends Carl to [[Verdant Meadows (mission)|purchase]] the [[Verdant Meadows|Verdant Meadows Aircraft Graveyard]], a defunct landing strip in [[Bone County]], and use the facility to have CJ trained as a pilot. At one point, a container jet lands without warning at the airstrip, and men in black suits and sunglasses empty out of it. Toreno instructs CJ to sneak onboard and [[Stowaway|bomb the plane]]. While fighting the "agents" onboard, they utter strange phrases such as "Carbon-based buffoon!" and "You evolved from shrews!"


While Toreno initially dismisses CJ as street trash, and uses Sweet as a bargaining chip to ensure CJ's obedience, his attitude changes as CJ proves his ability to get seemingly impossible jobs done, and he begins to display a sense of camaraderie with CJ, despite still thinking nothing of sending him on dangerous errands. After a lengthy hiatus, Toreno eventually returns and gives CJ one last job; he personally drives CJ to [[Easter Basin]], and sends him to infiltrate an aircraft carrier and [[Vertical Bird|steal]] a [[Hydra|V/STOL fighter jet]]. CJ successfully takes the jet, shoots down enemy planes and takes out several boats at the [[Sherman Reservoir]]; he is exasperated with the danger he has been exposed to, and his rage only increases when Toreno leaves him to deal with the burden of the stolen jet.
While Toreno initially dismisses CJ as street trash, and uses Sweet as a bargaining chip to ensure CJ's obedience, his attitude changes as CJ proves his ability to get seemingly impossible jobs done, and he begins to display a sense of camaraderie with CJ, despite still thinking nothing of sending him on dangerous errands. After a lengthy hiatus, Toreno eventually returns and gives CJ one last job; he personally drives CJ to [[Easter Basin]], and sends him to infiltrate an aircraft carrier and [[Vertical Bird|steal]] a [[Hydra|V/STOL fighter jet]]. CJ successfully takes the jet, shoots down enemy planes and takes out several boats at the [[Sherman Reservoir]]; he is exasperated with the danger he has been exposed to, and his rage only increases when Toreno leaves him to deal with the burden of the stolen jet.


Toreno shows up unannounced yet again in [[Home Coming]], and tells Carl that he has one more mission. CJ snaps and holds a gun to Toreno's head, but Toreno is unperturbed; he tells CJ that the "mission" is simply to pick up Sweet — Toreno has seen to his early release from prison. CJ goes to pick up his brother, and Toreno makes no further appearances in the game.
Toreno shows up unannounced yet again in [[Home Coming]], and tells Carl that he has one more mission. CJ snaps and holds a gun to Toreno's head, but Toreno is unperturbed; he tells CJ that the "mission" is simply to pick up Sweet — Toreno has seen to his early release from prison. CJ goes to pick up his brother, and Toreno makes no further appearances in the game.
====Toreno's character====
Philosophically, Toreno is a highly cynical American imperialist. He primarily uses CJ as a courier, saboteur, and assassin. Though he knows of [[Frank Tenpenny|Tenpenny]] and [[Eddie Pulaski|Pulaski's]] dirty dealings, as well as their hold over CJ, Toreno does not use his power to stop them — he tells CJ, "we have to make decisions, kid. You know, I try to set bad people on other bad people. And sometimes, I let good guys die." Toreno, like Tenpenny, seems to have gravitated toward committing heinous acts in the name of a greater good. He equates maintenance of the American socioeconomic system with the continued survival of the free world. He is also highly aware of apparent government cover-ups; while reading a WWII history book, he says that Hitler's suicide and the US having dropped nuclear bombs in Japan are both laughable, naive falsehoods.


In missions, the number plate on Toreno's [[Washington]] says "OMEGA". The Washington parked at his ranch always has a random plate number.
In missions, the number plate on Toreno's [[Washington]] says "OMEGA". The Washington parked at his ranch always has a random plate number.


[[James Woods]] provided the voice for Toreno, and bears some physical resemblance to the character.
[[James Woods]] provided the voice for Toreno, and bears some physical resemblance to the character.
==Possible real-life inspirations==
====Within context of the 1980s and 1990s====
Toreno's character exists in the plot as a depiction of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIA_drug_trafficking CIA drug trafficking], particularly the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Contra_affair Iran-Contra affair] which would have taken place five years before the game. In 1992, drug trafficker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Ross_(drug_trafficker) "Freeway" Ricky Ross] was linked to the CIA, through the Contras and the aftermath of the scandal, which is similar to Toreno's connection with the [[Loco Syndicate]], and even possibly through them, [[Big Smoke]] (who's role as a crack cocaine baron greatly reflects Ricky Ross).
====Ramnifications of being shown in 2004====
It also might be noted that "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" was released in the US (the first to receive it) on October 26, 2004, shortly before [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush George W. Bush] was re-elected president. As the writers of Grand Theft Auto tend to take moderate-left-wing perspectives, the game may have been meant to call into question whether practices like CIA drug trafficking were still in effect during the Iraq War, especially right before people were meant to decide whether he would be re-elected. Someone buying the game in 2004 would have likely been 18 or older, born the year Iran-Contra was exposed and about six years old during 1992. This means Rockstar's demographic would mostly be of voting age, and exposed yet very naive to the world events previously mentioned.
Coincidentally or not, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_H.W._Bush George H.W. Bush] was vice president during the original scandal (president during 1992), as well as others involved being linked to GWB, and Bush's opponent [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kerry John Kerry] was one of the earliest to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Committee_report accuse the CIA of paying drug traffickers] during the 1980s.


==Mission appearances==
==Mission appearances==

Revision as of 20:47, 20 March 2010

Character
Michael Toreno
{{{caption}}}
{{{caption}}}
Appearances [[Appearance::Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]
Full Name Michael Toreno
Gender Gender::Male
Nationality American
Home Mike Toreno's Ranch, Tierra Robada
Main Affiliations Carl Johnson
T-Bone Mendez
Jizzy B.
Vehicles OMEGA Washington
Businesses Intelligence Recollection
Assassination
Voiced by James Woods
ADVERTISEMENT

You may be looking for the mission of the same name.

Mike Toreno is an undercover agent from a "government agency" (most likely the NSA, since his later dialogue rules out the FBI) who disguises himself as a drug supplier for the Loco Syndicate. CJ first meets Mike after the agent is mistakenly abducted by a gang of Da Nang Boys who are stealing one of the syndicate's drug vans with Toreno inside. CJ and T-Bone Mendez locate the vehicle at the Easter Bay International Airport, and free Toreno; the agent is immediately suspicious of CJ, but Mendez convinces Toreno not to shoot him. All three then destroy the van, with the cocaine still inside.

Following the death of Jizzy B., CJ and his associates plan to ambush the Syndicate's drug purchase at Pier 69. CJ assists them with a sniper rifle, but Toreno, arriving by helicopter, notices CJ's victims on top of the pier buildings, and aborts his landing. CJ later tracks the chopper to another location, and shoots it out of the sky; Toreno is presumed dead.

Toreno, however, was never on the helicopter, having anticipated another attack like the one at Pier 69, and sent a decoy. After the Loco Syndicate plant is destroyed in San Fierro, Toreno goes into hiding and, using a digitally-distorted voice, calls CJ to invite him to a secluded ranch in Tierra Robada. Carl is shocked by Toreno's survival, and curses him as a mere drug dealer; Toreno reveals that he is in fact a government agent, and explains that he was distributing the cocaine to raise funds for overseas dictators and "useful" drug suppliers.

Toreno makes Carl an offer: if Carl works for him, taking down enemy agents and sabotaging rival agencies, no harm will come to Carl's brother, Sweet, who is now in prison; Toreno promises that, if CJ does enough work, Sweet will be released early.

Philosophically, Toreno is a highly cynical American imperialist. He primarily uses CJ as a courier, saboteur, and assassin. Though he knows of Tenpenny and Pulaski's dirty dealings, as well as their hold over CJ, Toreno does not use his power to stop them — he tells CJ, "we have to make decisions, kid. You know, I try to set bad people on other bad people. And sometimes, I let good guys die." Toreno, like Tenpenny, seems to have gravitated toward committing heinous acts in the name of a greater good. He equates maintenance of the American socioeconomic system with the continued survival of the free world.

Toreno's assignments, which include dropping supplies by plane while avoiding radar detection and shooting down FBI choppers from a plateau, strike CJ as almost impossible.

Later, Toreno sends Carl to purchase the Verdant Meadows Aircraft Graveyard, a defunct landing strip in Bone County, and use the facility to have CJ trained as a pilot. At one point, a container jet lands without warning at the airstrip, and men in black suits and sunglasses empty out of it. Toreno instructs CJ to sneak onboard and bomb the plane. While fighting the "agents" onboard, they utter strange phrases such as "Carbon-based buffoon!" and "You evolved from shrews!"

While Toreno initially dismisses CJ as street trash, and uses Sweet as a bargaining chip to ensure CJ's obedience, his attitude changes as CJ proves his ability to get seemingly impossible jobs done, and he begins to display a sense of camaraderie with CJ, despite still thinking nothing of sending him on dangerous errands. After a lengthy hiatus, Toreno eventually returns and gives CJ one last job; he personally drives CJ to Easter Basin, and sends him to infiltrate an aircraft carrier and steal a V/STOL fighter jet. CJ successfully takes the jet, shoots down enemy planes and takes out several boats at the Sherman Reservoir; he is exasperated with the danger he has been exposed to, and his rage only increases when Toreno leaves him to deal with the burden of the stolen jet.

Toreno shows up unannounced yet again in Home Coming, and tells Carl that he has one more mission. CJ snaps and holds a gun to Toreno's head, but Toreno is unperturbed; he tells CJ that the "mission" is simply to pick up Sweet — Toreno has seen to his early release from prison. CJ goes to pick up his brother, and Toreno makes no further appearances in the game.

In missions, the number plate on Toreno's Washington says "OMEGA". The Washington parked at his ranch always has a random plate number.

James Woods provided the voice for Toreno, and bears some physical resemblance to the character.

Mission appearances

GTA San Andreas
Protagonist
Main characters
Supporting characters
Minor characters
Girlfriends
Radio DJ
Radio guests
Mentioned characters
Other characters
Deleted characters
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