Reddit user BreadBrown shared a screenshot they took from Mass Effect 3 on the unofficial subreddit for the franchise. The title of BreadBrown’s post read, “For the next Mass Effect I’m putting money on the Commander being in Cryogenic sleep at the start.” The screenshot they share with the post shows a quote from Garrus, down in his boiler room. Garrus tells Commander Shepard, “If this war goes south, maybe we could freeze you for 50,000 years, Shepard. You could go from being merely famous to legendary.”

RELATED: Mass Effect: Legendary Edition Asari Glitch is Horrifying

The line of dialogue is surprisingly easy to miss, which may explain why it hasn’t been more of a topic of conversation in the years since Mass Effect 3’s release. It’s apparently a part of the From Ashes DLC, found during the quests leading up to unlocking Javik as a party member. Being a part of Mass Effect 3’s DLC also means this line was added to the game after the main storyline had already been finished. In other words, BioWare may have been winking at the audience, so to speak.

Of course, those familiar with Mass Effect 3’s endings know that preserving Commander Shepard isn’t so simple a thing to do. Only one ending teases the possibility of Shepard even surviving. In other words, BioWare would have to choose that ending as canon for Mass Effect 4. That ending is unfortunately perhaps the most brutal, with Shepard ending all sentient synthetic life.

Just this one possible way for BioWare to bring back Commander Shepard has led to a massive discussion about Mass Effect 4, however. At its base level, it’s not even about how Shepard could be brought back, but rather whether Shepard should be brought back at all. Many, if not the clear majority, believe Shepard shouldn’t be the protagonist of Mass Effect 4, but rather entirely absent, a historical figure, or as a separate character somehow brought back due to the complexity of Mass Effect 3’s endings.

A lot of Mass Effect’s fans make a great point. It’s not just an issue regarding Commander Shepard, but also their crew. Would it be appropriate to bring back Commander Shepard if everyone in their crew is dead outside of Liara? Would it make sense or be appropriate to bring back more crewmates? These are questions that BioWare’s already heavily considered. It’s just a matter of being patient before Mass Effect fans find out what the decision ended up being.

Mass Effect 4 is in development.

MORE: Mass Effect 4 Needs to Redefine What it Means to be a Renegade