A puppet and it’s master: Barnaby and Maverick

Look at me, I’m here again psychoanalyzing Tiger and Bunny and their subsequent Daddy Issues and Hero worshipping problems. Sorry. Not really. But sorry. Strap in cause this is a long one.   

There is something really interesting about their relationship and the way Maverick just... throws Barnaby away in the last episodes of season 1, and the way Barnaby (in season 2) still keeps a photo of himself and Maverick. 

In season 1, Barnaby, to Maverick, is a well-conditioned pet.

When you have the power to change the very essence of a human being, pick out the parts that are unnecessary and add things that are, they all become dolls after a while. That's why he was able to let go of Barnaby so quickly. He never saw him as human, just another puppet. 

Maverick relies on subtlety. Barnaby already had a vague framework of a loving household, so to go against that outwardly would put his conditioning in jeopardy. He uses his powers as a last resort. And he's conditioned Barnaby well enough for him to move out, go to the Hero Academy, and talk to other people. To live a semi-regular adult life (other than the fact that his penthouse is a gift from Maverick and his paycheck is also Maverick’s to give). Because he still has that emotional collar fastened around Barnaby's neck. He doesn't need to choke him with it, all he needs to do is tug on the leash, and Barnaby comes running.

He's given Barnaby just enough autonomy to believe that he, himself is somehow defective and broken, not Maverick's methods. It keeps him compliant and distracted, and leaves Barnaby trusting the reality Maverick had inflicted upon him at a young age. 

Regarding Barnaby's relationship with Maverick. It definitely falls more under the lines of emotional abuse. In regards to season 1, I think there is a part of Barnaby that wants to move on, to live normally, but his need for revenge overweighs every other want or need. 

He's been taught that love, at least with Maverick, is conditional. It's about what he can do for him, how he can repay him, how to make him proud, and how he can make Maverick's show look good. Then, and only then, will he receive a modicum of affection back. This is exemplified in the way that after Jake is dead, and Barnaby thinks that he’s gotten his revenge does he pivot to another goal; making Maverick proud. 

I know some people have theorized that this was another bout of brain-washing, but I don’t think it is. I think Maverick’s choices and Barnaby’s have blurred to the point where there is no need for obtrusive brain-washing when Barnaby is already conditioned enough to act out Maverick’s desired response with nothing but a couple of kind words. That makes their relationship even more insidious because now, us, as the viewer, call into question Barnaby’s free will. How much of this was his own decision? What is a puppet without its strings? What happens next? 

He's grown up with that mindset since he was 3, and his relationships with other people reinforce that preconceived notion of love. That as long as he's charming, well-spoken and good-looking people will love him. As long as he exemplifies perfection there is nothing he can’t do except the things he wants to do the most; kill his parents’ murderers. He was the Hero Academy’s star, the King of Heroes, and overall a squeaky clean and charming image, and it has gotten him far in life. I wouldn't say that he consciously understands that that is what he's doing, and he doesn't necessarily obsess over public opinion (although he does bask in the glory lol). It's just something that has been a constant in his life other than revenge.

Also... how Barnaby keeps a picture of him and Maverick of the say he debuted as a hero on his table. I hope we get to see more of Barnaby’s internal struggle in the second part of season 2. I won’t speak on that yet because there’s not a lot of evidence to make a full post out of it, but the implications are WILD.