#i just like them okay. just. phenomenal writing for the brothers. it was Hunter vs Crosshair for so long.

[storminormins]

My thoughts on CX-2 (or Scuttlebug, as his name shall remain forever in my mind) in light of the finale.

Only good things though!

I know the Tech girlies are all in mourning, I feel you, but I do want to analyze Scuttlebug further now that we know he isn't Tech.

Because they did spend a lot of time focusing on him; so why?

This recent interview with Jen and Brad confirmed my own theories (it's also a good fun read for picking their brains over making this show we all love)

CX-2 is Crosshair's narrative foil.

I noticed how when CX-2 is shown, its usually right before or after Crosshair is shown- or Crosshair is the one to sense/pay attention to him.

Anytime CX-2 goes up against the Batch, it almost always turns into a 1v1 between CX-2 and Crosshair- the sniper duel on the staircase, the knife fight in the river (of course), and Crosshair missing the shot to tag his ship after the Pabu invasion. (and the hand thing. oof.)

He's the intrusive thoughts breathing down Crosshair's neck [You chose the wrong side]. His personal failures made physical. What Crosshair could have been if he'd just made a slight few different choices.

Essentially, in Extraction, Crosshair fought his shadow self and... well, he didn't lose, but he didn't quite win either.

Because he doesn't think he really is different from CX-2. He believes he deserves worse for everything he's done- as he says in The Cavalry has Arrived.

And this is why it's so important that Hunter is the one to kill CX-2, AND right after Crosshair knocks CX-2's DIRECT KILLSHOT at Hunter off course.

(Gif credit here)

Hunter kills the shadow, kills the idea that Crosshair has anything left to atone for. Crosshair is his brother, and he's taking him home.