#don't mind me- just being an overanalytical dumbass- feel free to scroll past

[murderluv23]

Something I didn't notice upon my first viewing of the recent Helluva episode is Striker's expression when Blitzo confronts him.

Now I may be grasping super hard at straws but-

Hear me out-

This face- stuck out to me when I saw it. While it's clear Striker is thinking "Oh shit, I've been caught" here there's something about it that makes me feel as if it isn't just shock and fear he's feeling due to being discovered. When Blitzo reveals himself, Striker looks back directly at him then looks down with an air of panic. Instead of immediately switching to an expression of frustration or hostility. He literally takes a second to pause upon seeing who it is that caught him about to do the deed.

I personally found that to be rather out of character for him based on what we've seen of him so far, at least. The fact that he looks even the slightest bit bothered or even dare I say- guilty after sparing a glance at Blitzo speaks volumes about how he actually feels. If we believe that Striker was being entirely genuine about respecting Blitzo as an individual, then this single shot tells a story.

Considering this frame, the scene after holds a whole different context. Striker plays off his intial shock and goes back to his usual bravado, saying how now Blitzo seems disappointed in him. Again, if he does think respectively of Blitzo like he claims, then those last brief seconds can also read as "Shit, now I'm going to have someone I respect think less of me. Quick, think of something!"

Striker clearly does not like letting his guard down around others. He always has to be charismatic, taking up the spotlight, always the strongest guy in the room no matter what. An easy explanation for that could be well- his looks. Unless there's some subspecies of imps we haven't seen yet, Striker is very visibly not like others and even less so with his reptilian like attributes. That couldn't have been an easy thing to grow up with and Striker may have started to overcompensate with the skills he has now so others wouldn't look down on him. Then roles in Blitzo who started his own business and is kicking ass at it.

And if we believe the possibility that Blitzo is a mix of some other demon species (I personally don't buy those theories myself but let's just say this is the case), then Striker likely sees this as a gold mine that just dropped in his lap. A tough, mixed imp with a successful business. Someone who can get his point of view, understand him. Striker can see himself in Blitzo and that's likely never happened before. But oops!

Now the guy is pissed at him because he feels betrayed. He lost the chance to gain a partner that could possibly understand him on a deep level as quickly as he gained it. The words Striker say before Moxxie shows up stands out even more to me after seeing this face. Sure, it could just be pure manipulation here. He did try to stab him in the back later.

But given how much genuine fun Striker seemed to have with him during the competition, he truly could believe Blitzo deserves better than to be doing sexual favors just to keep his business afloat. Blitzo kept up with him in pretty much all of the challenges and earned his place as someone he acknowledges as commendable.

I also think it's interesting that as far as we know, Striker is completely alone in his endeavors. While Blitzo at least has his employees, Loona, and Stolas to an extent. Blitzo, while he talks a big game, is a lot softer and more openly affectionate in his own way despite being brushed off most of the time. Striker is a lot more hardened and distant even while being the center of attention. If I'm correct in how he may have been treated because of how looks, then Striker is very used to putting up walls to protect himself, even more so than Blitzo.

I just- feel like this expression was hinting at something else he may have been feeling.

Idk, perhaps this was an instance of very subtle characterization that is already adding and hinting to more depth of my second favorite antagonist so far.

OR more likely Striker was just startled and frustrated that he was caught and is just a two faced asshole (love him either way).

(Sum up: aka I really love Striker to the point I overanalyzed the fuck out of this one scene and am itching for a character arc and possibly character development to get to know him better and see if he ever evolves.)