I don't have the intention to read all 8 pages of posts, but I want to atleast give my take on the incredibly lost potential of Meredith's romance.
As of now, (or atleast how I understand it) there are 2 major romances in the game: Judy and Panam. You could distinguish then as Nomad romance (Panam) and streetkid romance (Judy). For me, they are major because they have influence in the endings you can get. Others, like River and Kerry only appear in the voicemail which is not very significant. The game has three lifepaths but only 2 romaces belonging to them. And that's where Meredith comes in as the third major romance appropriate for the corpo lifepath!
How could this play out? In the game, it's obvious that for Stout, V is only another pawn that she can take advantage of. I think it's safe to say, that she got used to manipuplating people and throwing them away afterwards on daily basis. And V is of course another toy soldier for her to use. That's basically what also happens in the game but how could this be built upon? What if, we as a player could show feelings towards Meredith, that for us she was more than just one night thing? I'm not an expert on relationships, but I think this could work! Just imagine being in Meredith's shoes, in achieving your goal of stepping up the Militech ranking ladder you use people all the time. It's obviuos everyone will begin to hate you and (impliyng that Stout's "Never again" tattoo means she was betrayed by her lover) you know making friends is too risky and you are better off to continue on your own. You use V like you did many others before, but for some reason this one merc is keen to meet you? Even after all the things you did them? Who is this V?
Aaaand, that's where I think this romance could continue!
Also, did you notice that except The Peralezze's 2 quests there are no actual corpo sidequests? While you can have plenty of adventures helping the residents of Night City and the Aldeclados you are never actually able to help the higher ranking corpos? By corpos I don't mean NCPD, I mean Arasaka, Militech, Biotechnica and many other major corporations in Night City. And now just imagine if Meredith got the same amount of sidequests as Panam for example, but oriented on corporate matters. For example helping Meredith in her goals, setting up controversies to ruin public image of the competing corporation, influencing the corpo leaders by any means necessary,..... basically something to give the Corpo V something more to suit their origin, while at the same time having to listen to Johnny's rants! Heck, you are becoming a corpo rat, the one he hates the most! And just imagine the banter Johnny could have had arround Meredith!
Another great possibility of this romance could be another extra ending! Right now, if you side with the corpos, and follow Hanako's plan you can only get "bad endings". But what if you could also call Meredith?! What if you could call Militech for help? Afterall, Militech and Arasaka were enemies ever since! Are you willing to start the fifth Corporate War just because there is a "chance" it might save your life? Of course I would be willing! Remeber the doll's advice? "If you have to burn this city, then let it burn..."! And now just imagine storming Mikoshi with the whole Militech army behind your back provided by Meredith! Now that could have potential!
