Eliot Hampden

Template:Infobox character Eliot Hampden is a character from Life is Strange: Before the Storm with whom Chloe Price attends Blackwell Academy. He is a minor antagonist in the game.

Personality

Judging by his actions throughout the game, Eliot can be seen as an obsessive, aggressive, selfish and unstable individual with little tolerance for frustration or rejection. He seems to feel entitled to the attention of those around him that he believes he cares about, as is evident by his interactions with Chloe in Episode 3. All this is masked by a facade of docility by his apparent insecure and calm nature.

As of Episode 1, Eliot's personality was somewhat unclear. His love interest is evidently Chloe, frequently texting her and, towards the midpoint of Episode 1, even asking her out on a date.

From his words it seems that he is a kind individual, although he is not above making fun of the drama kids for Chloe's attention.

Unlike Chloe, he seems to have a hard time saying what he actually feels. When Chloe talks to him about the reason she wants to go to the viewing of The Tempest, he unconvincingly agrees that he was thinking that too, not telling her that he was thinking of it as a date. Her texts and interactions with him clearly show she doesn't reciprocate his feelings.

In Episode 2 Samuel says the following about him: "I only see what Eliot wants me to see. Usually I can see both what people want me to see and what they want to keep hidden." On the surface, Eliot appears to be a trustworthy, dorky guy who cares for Chloe, but his "nice guy" image is just a cover to hide his lust for Chloe, as evidenced in Episode 3 when he follows Chloe to Rachel's house, confronts her and doesn't let her leave, demanding an explanation for Chloe being there.

When Chloe is forced to confront him on this he drops all kindness he had and starts threatening her. He snaps when Chloe takes interest in Rachel, using his concern for Chloe's safety to mask his jealousy and even going as far as to shove Chloe if she tries to walk past him, throw objects in frustration and/or hug Chloe against her will.

Biography

The following is what Chloe Price wrote about Eliot in her journal:

As far as Blackwell students go, Eliot Hampden is pretty not terrible. He hangs out with some of the douchers sometimes, but I get the sense that he's mostly a lone wolf. Like this chick.

Similar to my class schedule, Eliot and I have history but no chemistry or drama. We hooked up a few times shortly after Dad died, but there wasn't really much to it. I think I was just bored. Or maybe a little lonely. Weird, I know.

I don't always get where Eliot's coming from. He's constantly asking to do stuff with me, which is nice, but I'm not sure we have that much in common anymore. Sometimes when we talk it seems almost like he's studying me.

I can't tell if he actually wants to be friends or just get in my pants. I guess I should be flattered either way, but I'm also not sure how much I care. Sorry, Eliot.

Episode One - "Awake"

Eliot is first seen outside Blackwell; he asks Chloe how she is and comments on Chloe going to the old mill the previous night, saying that "people are talking about it". Eliot then asks if Chloe wants to see The Tempest with him. Chloe can either reject or say maybe. Eliot seems disappointed either way since Chloe doesn't see it as a date.

Later, Eliot texts Chloe while she is with Rachel Amber, asking her why she wasn't in chemistry class, mentioning the confrontation with Drew North and the fact that people are discussing it. He backs off when Chloe only replies to his texts with "yo, let's talk later".

Episode Two - "Brave New World"

Eliot is first seen in the Blackwell parking lot, leaning up against a car and playing a game resembling Candy Crush on his phone. He looks pleased to see Chloe and asks why she is at the school on Saturday morning. He gets surprised when Chloe tells him that she has been suspended or expelled from Blackwell and asks for a hug, which Chloe can accept or refuse. He also asks if Rachel Amber is involved with the situation. When Chloe asks what he is doing here, based on the previous episode he will say he came early to grab tickets for The Tempest and will ask if Chloe wants to hang out after the show, or that he wanted to see The Tempest and already bought two tickets, and invites Chloe to come with him. Chloe doesn't give him a definite answer, even if he harbors hope. He seems upset when Chloe leaves.

He constantly texts Chloe throughout the episode, telling her that she doesn't have to worry about expulsion or suspension, even though Chloe says she is fine.

When Chloe enters the boys' dormitories, she has the option to explore Eliot's room. She can find some notes and drawings in a drawer, and is surprised to learn that the drawings are about her. It is also apparent that Eliot plays clarinet, and takes up lacrosse, judging from the lacrosse stick in his room. Eliot's attempts to look up Chloe on the internet are visible in his search history.

Chloe goes to The Tempest to see Rachel after a rough day. If Chloe said that she might be going to the play with Eliot, he will text her after she reads the play script, asking where she is and that he got seats for them.

Episode Three - "Hell Is Empty"

He shows up at the hospital for Mikey North or Drew North, depending on Chloe's earlier choices. Even if Chloe says there's nothing to be worried about and expresses her unwillingness to talk, he grows increasingly suspicious once he learns that Rachel is in the hospital as well and that Rachel was the original reason of Chloe coming to the hospital. If Chloe wrote on his slate earlier, he will also bring it up and ask about it. Either way, Chloe gets annoyed and weirded out. As she is leaving the hospital, Eliot watches her carefully from behind.

While searching James Amber's office, Chloe is shocked to see Eliot had followed her all the way there, demanding to know what kind of trouble she's getting into. At this point, it becomes obvious to Chloe that Eliot has been stalking her and that his seemingly good-natured suspicions of Rachel were actually envy and hatred towards her and he was using his concern for Chloe's safety to mask his jealousy. He behaves like he's entitled to Chloe's affection because he was there for her after Max left and William died. Eliot points out situations were Rachel dragged Chloe into several mischiefs and describes Rachel as a dangerous person. After this, Eliot locks them both inside James' office and says they won't leave until she sees he is right, while Chloe secretly calls the police and enters a backtalk challenge. Eliot begins to ramble about his feelings towards her, persuading Chloe to believe him, and will suppress Chloe's attempts to leave by pushing her back and smashing the snow dome if Chloe tries to calm him down.

• Chloe wins the backtalk
• Chloe fails the backtalk

Chloe wins the backtalk

If Chloe succeeds the backtalk challenge, she cautiously talks to Eliot as if she were admitting he were right and he hugs Chloe against her will. When the cops arrive Eliot starts to panic yet says he will talk to them. He accidentally triggers the alarm while trying to open the door and Chloe quickly grabs the money James was meant to give Damon and rushes out, leaving a confused Eliot behind to be apprehended by the police. This leads to his expulsion from Blackwell at the end of Episode 3.

Chloe fails the backtalk

Eliot notices the phone behind Chloe and calls a bitch, saying he was only trying to help her. When he starts to corner Chloe and she quickly grabs the "Best Dad" statue, Eliot accuses her of hurting him and doing everything to protect Rachel. Chloe throws the statue at the window, breaking it and triggering the alarm. She says "Better run dickbag, cops will be here any minute". Eliot gets scared and rushes outside. He leaves from the front door and gets caught by the police. This leads to his expulsion from Blackwell at the end of Episode 3. He is seen ripping the photo of him and Chloe in half, with his belongings packed into boxes behind him.

Relationships

Friends

• Warren Graham - As evidenced by the emails between the two, Eliot and Warren share a fondness for science fiction.
• Logan Robertson - As seen in the emails between the two, Logan asks Eliot to hook him up with Dana Ward, which suggests there is certain trust between them.

Romantic

• Chloe Price - It is mentioned in Chloe's character note on Eliot that they "hooked up" after William had passed away, but it was clear that she never reciprocated his or any romantic feelings during this time. There are many implications that Eliot has deep feelings for Chloe based on the items found in his room. Eliot has written several poems about Chloe and kept photos from long ago with the two of them attending a concert. The poems seem to infantilize Chloe or treat her as a "dark" soul only wanting to be saved which goes into some very creepy detail about how he'd commit murder just to have her. Eliot pretends he hates being in Blackwell to try to get into Chloe's good graces. In Episode 3 it's revealed that his feelings for Chloe reach to the point of obsession, and in truth he doesn't care about her but he thinks he is the only one who's entitled to Chloe's affection and wanting to have her all for himself. He pretty much gaslights Chloe, insults her performance on stage which was brilliant and that finally indicates that he doesn't think Chloe is artistic or talented or even intelligent. Eliot likes to think Chloe is stupid and "childish" and that she is just acting out which completely erases her complexity as a person.

Enemies

• Rachel Amber - Although not seen together, based on Eliot's dialogue he is annoyed to learn that Rachel was involved in Chloe's expulsion. In Episode 3 it's revealed that Eliot is dangerously jealous about Chloe and Rachel's relationship and has an extreme hatred for her. His seemingly good-natured suspicions of Rachel was actually envy and hatred towards her and he was using his concern for Chloe's safety to mask his jealousy.
• Chloe Price - When Chloe discovers Eliot's true nature in Episode 3, her friendship with him is destroyed. Chloe only thought of Eliot as a friend and not a romantic interest, which leads to her finally finding out that he has been stalking her. Chloe can insult Eliot being stalker which results in him getting angry and offended. If Chloe fails the backtalk challenge with him, Eliot will be seen later at the end of Episode 3 ripping a picture of him and Chloe, confirming he is no longer interested in her.

Others

• Nathan Prescott - Although they are never seen interacting, Eliot appeared to be concerned about the conflict Nathan had with Drew North, possibly hinting that Eliot cares for Nathan.

Symbolism

Name Meaning

Eliot's name may be a reference to the American poet T. S. Eliot. His characters often undergo a journey, either physically, spiritually, or both.

Judging by his outburst in Episode 3 though as well as the selfish way he tries showing he "cares" about Chloe, there's also the possibility that he may be inspired by Eliot Rodger.

Poems

His poem was heavy foreshadowing for confrontation scene in Episode 3. The last page of his poem is about his fantasy of murdering her for rejecting him which heavily foreshadowing his obsession towards Chloe and that he is the only one who is entitled to get Chloe's affection; his jealousy towards Rachel. In Episode 3 he lashes out at her for spurning him in favor of Rachel, though Chloe can talk him down.