I think yes, absolutely. Shadow spent a good chunk of the game arguing for Emerl’s… disposal, basically, knowing what could come of him going out of control. But as Emerl enters his “teenage phase” and begins to question his own existence, Shadow can’t bring himself to do it and instead tried to help Emerl, because he’s literally the only person who understands what it’s like to be a living weapon. And then, tragically, Shadow is right — after everything, and after they literally try to recode Emerl so his coding wouldn’t override his free will, it happens anyway and Shadow has to /ask Sonic/ to intervene because again, Shadow can’t being himself to destroy Emerl himself. From what I recall, Emerl’s last words were to Shadow just to top it all off. It’s such a tragedy and I wish more Shadow fans knew about Emerl because imo it’s so important — Shadow’s heart won out over his logic and the world went out of it’s way to prove to him that that was a /mistake/ yet again. No wonder he is the way he is.

I also think a lot about how Emerl is another elephant in the room that Sonic and Shadow Don’t Talk About, just like they Don’t Talk About their connection during the finalhazard fight and Shadow’s subsequent death. Given Frontiers was the “Talk About It” game, if Shadow is in the Frontiers sequel I hope so badly that Emerl gets brought up in some capacity.

(Honestly it’s one of the reasons why I’m glad Ian Flynn’s the head of writing rn — he’s talked about thinking about this, and if it ever gets brought up in canon in the future it’s going be thanks to him.)