AAAAAAAAAA

A Father’s Tears…

I think it’s also very important to consider the other side of this scene:

For us, as the audience, it’s very hard to extricate ourselves from the context we have of Crosshair’s actions. We know that Crosshair’s being torn between his loyalty to the Empire and his loyalty to his brothers. We know that Crosshair is having to make a choice for himself without considering how it will affect his squad. And we know that this is likely the first time in a long time that Crosshair has had to act on his own.

Hunter doesn’t know these things. What Hunter does know is that he needs to do what is best for the squad: a squad that now has a child with a high-value target painted on her head. A squad who Crosshair has very recently been doggedly hunting down. Hunter has seen Crosshair attempt to kill Jedi, civilians, and has actually seen him kill his own men when they refused his orders.

What Hunter knows is that Crosshair has no qualms killing, and has been after the squad for at least a month if not more. His and the Batch’s reaction to Crosshair raising his rifle towards Hunter is entirely understandable.

And I think that’s the part that hurts most.

Scene analysis

There's something that struck me about this scene – I’ve always had one single interpretation for it, ever since I watched it for the first time but I haven’t seen many people interpret it that way.

The thing is, I don’t think Crosshair was thinking about saving Omega here. At least I don’t think that was at the forefront of his mind. In fact, I don’t think it occurred to him that he was repaying her for saving him until she brought it up on the platform.

What I believe Crosshair was doing in that scene was protecting Hunter. Because Hunter would have jumped after Omega and Crosshair knew it and he had to stop him from doing it. We know the water is crawling with sea monsters and littered with debris, not to mention that Hunter may well drown in his frantic urge to save Omega. He can’t see into the water as well as Crosshair after all.

And I think that’s the case because throughout those two episodes we see numerous instances of Crosshair protecting or attempting to protect his brothers, from trying to convince them that the Empire is safer to killing his own squad and helping them fight the simulation droids (in that scene he sends a bolt flying above Hunter’s shoulder to dispatch the droid he’s fighting, proving that he’s not just fighting in self-defense).

That’s why I think his brothers’ rejection hurts so much afterwards. Why he huddles down in the pod looking hurt and he’s definitely hurt there. This isn’t about the Empire anymore this is about them. They’re telling him they don’t trust him anymore even after he’s repeatedly proven he won’t hurt them now that he hasn’t got his chip. Where they once let him use their shoulders as a rifle rest without a second thought (in TCW with Tech), they now turn their weapons on him just because the barrel of his gun got near Hunter.

(To be clear the angle makes it hard to tell just how close he was to aiming at him but I if you look closely you’ll see that he’s aiming over Hunter’s shoulder and Hunter only gets in the way once he turns around.)

I also think that’s the moment it starts to click - when Hunter turns to glare at him with suspicion we see Crosshair hesitate:

The camera lingers and something in his expression shifts, as if he's finally realizing what's going on.

So yeah, to me that’s what this scene is about. Hunter goes to jump and Crosshair’s knee jerk response is to stop him somehow. It’s not about Omega, it’s not about a life debt, it’s a simple response that’s been ingrained into him over the years.

Only now it's being rejected.

He was crying.

You guys, Crosshair was actually crying.

Colonel de-stressing by visiting his best girl <333

bouncey bouncey bouncey

More of them are finished this year!!! I’m so glad!!

Oh, this sounds like a fun game! Your friend would find either very little about me, or a terrifying amount. It all depends on where he looks! It’s too bad you consider this a waste of time. I was quite enjoying the conversation. You’re a fascinating person and your work is equally so.

Oh, and by the way, my clearance is all-access, and its need-to-know status is imperative. It’s called curiosity. I imagine you can relate ;)

Out of curiosity, do you have any theories on what it is about being an Imperial that makes you so much more attractive to people? The Rogue Clone Tech doesn’t seem to have half as many thirsty people following him around, but nearly every one of your asks involves something. I suppose it could be that the non-imperial Tech has just as many and doesn’t respond to them all. I don’t know what his ask-box looks like. But you also flirt back far more often, which I suspects helps to fuel it. Any thoughts?

Do you not think any iteration of my exceptional self would attract as many loyal followers? @exceptionally-minded is just as capable of drawing attention, though he chooses to do so by playing do-gooder while frolicking around the galaxy Riot Racing and interfering with Imperial operations.

I am of a different mindset. This mindset also requires the use of a disclaimer on the HoloNet so as to insure nosey younglings below eighteen years of age are not tempted to embrace the dark side before it is permissible. You will find that @imperial-sniper, @imperial-strategist, @imperial-demolition-expert, and @imperial-tracker do the same.

Our differences are what makes us both unique. Perhaps my abundant magnetism and my affinity for what some may consider atrocious or perverse has something to do with it. Human beings are known to have a tendency to be fascinated with that which both frightens and excites them.

But do take a moment to reflect. What seems like flirting to you may very well be the fine art of coercion in practice. Affecting someone's mind without them being aware of it - and filling said person with the supposition that their thoughts and feelings are indeed their own - is a tactic that is easily employed in part because they so desire to be subverted willingly.

Food for thought: It is not I you should be questioning, but those who wish to grovel at my feet.

Relatively new, yes. I think I’ve only been here for three-ish months? Something like that

I’ve been wondering: what’s your favorite way to tease each of your brothers? I know you really lay it on thick with the height thing for Hunter, but is that your favorite annoyance tactic? Or do you have another way that makes him react better? And what about Tech? How do you get him going? Challenging Wrecker with games and then rubbing your win in his face works for Wrecker because he’s competitive, but you don’t really have a leg up on Tech like that. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen you use a clever tactic against Tech before…

You must be a new follower.

Echo: I have a headache.

Kix: From 1 to 10, how intense would you describe your pain?

Echo: Fives. It's Fives.

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Interested in more Clone shenanigans?

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What kind of flowers would you like, love? Perhaps red and pink carnations for the ache of your devoted, but now trampled heart?

Anybody else remember that scene where Hunter teared up as Hemlock took Omega in season 2?