I really do respect the hunter love dude.
I always think putting things in starkly black and white terms is silly. Hunter's such a morally grey character in the show, you don't always have to agree with the actions of a character but the most important thing is I have a good empathetic understanding of where he's exactly coming from. Over the years of my life, I've learned to examine the root causes of problems much closer than purely being reactionary and taking something at just face value. He's got some of the most interesting character conflicts to me by far, willing to pretty much go as far as actually reject his old man's wishes about using wild magic to help him out. His betrayals cut me deep but at the same it makes him far more interesting as a character in his route to developing slowly over time. I've got the most complicated feelings over his character in this show, and that's great, it only makes me want to see him improve as a person even more. Honestly, everyone under Belos is kind of dysfunctional, Lilith was no saint either cursing Eda.
I'm glad you appreciate the love. Lol. I always like when peopel go up to bat for characters too... I just love. when people love characters dearly.
But yeah, I get it... Eclipse Lake hurts! It would be better for both him and everyone else for that to have gone a different way.
Like with Hunter I get where he's coming from. His life is pretty shit! And the Emperor's Coven is LITERALLY all he has.
Amity's promise looks great on paper right? Some people won't make you feel worthless. Of course it would be better for both him and everyone else if he took it. Rascal (his literal fucking guardian angel) is encouraging him to make that choice too - Rascal knows the coven isn't good for either of them. Rascal actually pulls him into the path of Eda and Amity (I have theories lol). But the thing is, we see that Rascal is the first person to stay with Hunter NO MATTER WHAT. Rascal isn't encouraging Hunter to fight Amity, but at the same time... when King is about to hurt Hunter, Rascal steps in. Rascal is the first person to give Hunter 'unconditional love'.
Hunter's relationship with Belos is pretty conditional - do what I want or you're worthless Hunter. Listen to what I say, don't step out of line, and you'll get your rewards. Very hot and cold. It's fascinating in Eclipse Lake, because Belos says one thing - but we as an audience go, what did he really mean? And it's obvious that despite Belos' sweet smile, Hunter knows there's a double layered meaning to his words - mind games aren't an unfamiliar thing for him. So, who knows what Belos meant? Well clearly Hunter doesn't. You've got a pretty messed up situation where Hunter is going against Belos' orders to make Belos happy and to be in Belos' good graces.
The Emperor's coven fascinates me in general, because it's such a mess of toxic familial dynamics layered in structure: the dad everyone wants to please. And pretty much all of the Emperor's coven's highest ranking officials are people who DESPERATELY seek approval from Belos. Lilith and her mommy issues. Kikimora is obvious. Hunter is literally his ward.
Now, Amity's words 'look good' on paper, but what does this mean to Hunter, whose whole life has been spent in the Emperor's Coven, whose room and all his magical powers (prior to Rascal giving him magic separate from his uncle) are located in the coven. Like, Hunter is used to mindgames. Lilith, a full blown adult with mommy issues, resents him for being Belos' right hand man. Kikimora tries to kill him for his position. Hunter is SURROUNDED by backstabbers who will say what they want to get what they need to 'use' from him. Hunter is surrounded by adults who resent him and his position and want to see him fail. Considering all that, he's a surprisingly soft boy.
Now, let's think on Lilith: Lilith has a full blown family! Lilith went to school! Lilith has places she can return to! She has a mom she can move back in with! Hunter didn't go to school (how could he? he doesn't have magic). Hunter only has one family member - the 'one person who thinks he's special'. Hunter (before Hunting Palisman) had NO way to defend himself without artificial magic supplied by his uncle. I actually consider Lilith more morally dubious than Hunter (given like... stuff, especially considering she has an elment of choice) but of course I love Lilith too lol. Heck, I love Kikimora. I'm loving all the Emperor's Coven.
There's also this whole heavily implied to be even physically abusive dynamic, with Belos stopping short of cutting Hunter right where his previous scar is, Hunter looking like SHIT (like, missing teeth, ear notch, scar, and other scars can be noted in crew drawings). "Beat-up blonde" indeed. I admit. I take one look at Hunter and I'm like how could I NOT want him to thrive and be happy. Kid's seen some shit.
But anyway, in Eclipse Lake what does Hunter have? Words from Amity. What do those mean? See the thing about living in a horrible position is you become aware of this: the position is horrible, but it could always get worse. You know life is horrible. And you know it can get worse and then you can also have nowhere to return to after. Sometimes you stick with the horribleness you're familiar with - because it's safer to navigate. You at least KNOW what horrible things await you in familiarity, and you know what comforts await you in that familiarity. So with Amity, Hunter sees his chance and returns to what he knows. And to be fair, Amity IS his enemy. They had a small heart to heart but giving up your whole life for someone who doesn't really seem to like you all that much is a big deal - where would Hunter even GO? Hunter isn't without sympathy, but he operates off the basis everything is conditional. Hunter would literally rather die, dig his grave than go back empty-handed.
Of course I think the fact Belos is clearly lying about shit to Hunter is going to catch up with him (we can see some inconsistencies in both what Hunter and Belos say), Hunter's bond with Rascal, the fact Hunter is probably more of an 'ingredient' in the plan than actually necessary, etc. I just hope Hunter gets therapy.
Also I do have a pet theory Hunter will be adopted by Eda, but honestly it's so... catered to my interests. But he does share the Clawthorne family theme of having a bird palisman, and Eda is upset about empty nest syndrome and she does have a theme around taking in wayward strays. Also it's clear to me, Lilith's whole resentment of 'brat' Hunter is built up in this image of Hunter being a 'young prodigy who surpasses her like her younger sister for mom's attention' - there's a few links to Eda. But more prominently, Eda and Belos actually have a TON of parallels. There's mirrored scenes of Belos chewing out Hunter versus Eda being great to Luz, and both of them dealing with their curses in a different manner, and similar colour themes even.
Ah I guess all this is to say: I agree! I mean... I think Eclipse Lake is an episode that further solidifies my love for Hunter because it just MAKES SENSE. A lot of arcs move so quickly it doesn't really feel like the character is processing what is happening to them. We've all seen a character switch alliances in one or two episodes. But all of Hunter's backstabs, desperation, conditions, warped way of viewing interactions make perfect sense given the context of his character. It's not like he really has a big reason to trust them, and this is his WHOLE LIFE. Eclipse Lake made me love him more for this very reason... I guess because I find him to be a fairly realistic view of someone who is attached to someone who is using them, for a show about witches and magic.
Like, Hunter is really a character I could write an essay about. And I kind of did above. But even that was me cutting myself short, if I'm honest.
And part of it is probably because he's one of the characters I care most about in a long time where I think there's a shot he could actually get a happy ending lolllll. I'll be honest and say his particular mental health struggles around... a lot of stuff really speak to me on a personal level so that's part of my investment. And I hope I'm right! I want him to be happy!
