Matteo Vasari

> *"I want my abilities, my position, my very self to be... undeniable."*
>
> Matteo, Season 1, Episode 9

**Matteo Vasari** is a character in **Titanic (Season 1)**. He is James' Valet and one of the love interests for Adele Carrem. He makes his first appearance in Season 1, Episode 1.

## History

Matteo is of mixed Italian and Egyptian ancestry and is an only child. Although he was able to work for subsistence wages, he had to turn to gambling on horses races to make any more money, largely due to the color of his skin. A bookie refused to pay him after a series of wins, and James Eisler stepped in on his behalf, beginning the complicated relationship between the two men.

The discrimination and poverty he experienced gave him a deep desire to receive the respect of his so-called social superiors (to whom he firmly believes himself to be an equal) and to be recognized as a successful person. He says he is lucky to have his position in James' employ (which he views as a foot in the door in polite society as well as a well-paying job), as most Englishmen would not hire a man with a dark skin tone.

After meeting Adele Carrem, Matteo finds his loyalty to James tested. Although he initially remains loyal to his employer, he becomes closer to Adele in spite of himself, and eventually sides with her over James. If he and Adele leave James for dead, he is denied space on a lifeboat by a racist steward and dies during the sinking. If they save James, James will in turn secure him a place on a lifeboat, and he will survive.

## Appearance

Matteo is tall, with dark skin, black hair and hazel eyes. He is described as being well-dressed and is usually seen in a black suit with his hair slicked back. He also wears his grandfather’s wristwatch.

## Personality

Matteo is reserved and uncaring until he lets his guard down. Adele can describe him as a "jaded realist." It is strongly implied that his cynicism and coldness stem from the discrimination he faced due to his dark skin.

Matteo is intelligent and calculating, saying it was his "mind for statistics [and] knack for languages" that originally brought him to James' attention. Mateo is generally very composed, only appearing nervous when he confesses his feelings to Adele. When he opens up, he becomes much more caring and helpful. He also claims to like and be liked by children, saying he has a lot of younger cousins with whom he was quite close.

## Episodes

* Episode 1
* Episode 3
* Episode 4
* Episode 5
* Episode 6 (Determinant)
* Episode 7
* Episode 8
* Episode 9
* Episode 10
* Episode 11
* Episode 12
* Episode 13
* Episode 14
* Episode 15
* Episode 16
* Episode 17 (Determinant)

## Relationships

### Adele Carrem

He is one of Adele’s potential love interests. They meet in Episode 1 when he bails James out of jail. Although he initially insists that he will be loyal to James in spite of his blackmail of Adele, the two become closer as they spend more time together, and she notes that he seems to fall for her against his own will. If Adele does not tell Zetta about James' blackmail and does not reveal Zetta's secrets to James, he will vouch for her at the party. When the ship begins to sink, he will tell her that he is "content" to be with her instead of James as the boat goes down. If he survives, Adele has the option to invite him to live with her.

### Charlie Stoke

Charlie and he do not usually see eye to eye, with Matteo often belittling Charlie. They often get in arguments, which Adele is usually forced to put a stop to. He also thinks Adele is using Charlie, and is dismissive of the other man's devotion to her. Charlie finally seems to earn Mateo's respect when he decides to stay and work in the boiler room as the ship sinks and teaches Matteo to lead Adele and Hileni to safety. If Adele knocks out Charlie with a shovel, Matteo will help save Charlie.

### James Eisler

Matteo serves as James' valet. Unusually, he refers to his employer by his first name. Although Matteo often treats James with personal distaste, he has a deep sense of loyalty to James due to knowing that few others would have hired a man as dark-skinned as Matteo. He also says that he and James are alike in some ways—for example, they both often feel like outsiders in polite British society. In spite of their close connection, there is quite a lot of tension between the two men, with James often insulting Matteo or taking him for granted. Matteo, for his part, always desired the acceptance of the upper classes and bears James' abuse with quiet resentment.

His attraction to Adele slowly drives a wedge between the two men, and when the ship begins to sink, he says he’s content being with Adele instead of James. although Adele believes that he cares for his employer despite himself. If James survives, he will convince a steward to allow Matteo to board the lifeboat, saving his valet's life. If James does not survive, Matteo will be turned away and die as a result. If James, Matteo, and Zetta remain onboard, Adele imagines Matteo returning to the gymnasium to help Zetta try to save her nephew. If Matteo survives, he will say that James has changed and that he might even become James’ friend.

### Zetta Serda

Zetta and Matteo spend a fair amount of time around one another due to their mutual association with James, and Adele notices that there seems to be mutual respect and affection between the two. In spite of this, Matteo ultimately prioritizes his duty as James' valet over his fondness for Zetta and continues to assist in James' plans to ruin her engagement.

### Hileni Carrem

Matteo has a soft spot for Hileni, whom he first meets when he agrees to translate for the small Italian boy that Hileni worries is being abused by his father. Although she is initially somewhat suspicious of him because she knows he works for Adele's blackmailer, Hileni quickly warms to him and even begins calling him by his nickname, Teo. When James comes to get HIleni from steerage, she agrees to go with him because Matteo vouches for him. When she finds out who James really is, she is hurt by Matteo's betrayal. His apology to her seems to be sincere.

## Gallery

### Special Moments

Kiss AdeleKiss Adele in a Swimming PoolSteamy Scene with AdeleRescue James with ZettaInjured
### Misc

Playing cards with Hileni and James in Ismay's private promenadeMatteo Full look Wallpaper
## Trivia

* His grandfather wore his wristwatch during the Boer War.
* Matteo is between 6'0" and 6'1" or 185cm tall.
* On December 23, 2019, Storyscape released another batch of artwork and wallpapers as a thank you featuring some characters from Season 1. Among them was Matteo.

## References

1. ↑ https://playstoryscape.tumblr.com/post/189831354515/another-set-of-wallpapers-today-featuring