u/UNinvolved_in_peace

Best way I can put it is like this: Ironwood defenders treat his bad actions (Shooting Oscar, Sleet, Mantle bomb threat) like he's a fictional character being forced to do bad actions by the writers.

But they will treat Ruby like a real person with free will for her bad actions (lying to Ironwood).

Why is this a double standard?

1. Well, if we treat both as fictional characters controlled by the writers, then is Ironwood's downfall really Ruby fault when she's doesn't have free will?

2. And if we treat the characters as real people, then is Ironwood really all that defendable when he's capable of such vile actions?

Both of these have two uncomfortable conclusions if you're an Ironwood fan looking for an enemy.

If you believe 1, then the real enemy are the writers who made Ironwood do bad things. But the writers are abstract enemies so blaming them feels empty.

If you believe 2, then Ironwood... is just a monster. A tragic one, but a monster none the less.

Does that make it clear?