This is the man that is presented throughout the game as a voice of reason to Dutch’s mad impulses, reminding him of their plans of leaving the outlaw life constantly during CH2, the man that encourages Lenny to make something of himself while he still can, who tells Abigail to make plans for the sake for her little boy and pushes John to get a grip. At the same time he is talking to Arthur about how there’s “never really getting out” and how he tried but failed. He asks Arthur if he’s thinking of leaving during their hunting trip but doesn’t really encourage it when Arthur says he isn’t. He merely repeats how he has been thinking that maybe, one day, they might all have a new start, as long as Dutch’s plans work out. But it sounds quite hollow, wishful thinking, rather than something he really believes in. It’s almost like he knows Arthur is never going to leave Dutch, that Dutch will never leave the outlaw life, and with the price on his head, there’s no situation where Arthur “gets out”. And in the end he is right, even with Dutch going completely off the rails, Arthur still is trying to find a way to get him back on track, and by the time he lets go, Pinkertons are hellbent on putting them all down. There’s no deals left for Arthur.

And despite Hosea’s presentation as the careful and worrying father-like figure in the first two chapters, it becomes clear after a while that he loves a good con, the scheming and the thrill of it all. He is excited and throwing jokes when he and Arthur are about to go deal the Braithwaite’s moonshine to Rhodes and he has no qualms to insult Cathrine Braithwaite’s sons in front of her. He is the one that convinces Dutch to go forward with the bank robbery, while also telling Dutch his plans with Bronte will “damn us all” just a short while ago. When enticed with what he considers a fun time, he gets sucked right in and does not hesitate (compare to Arthur’s constant ‘are you sure?’s any chance he gets). He gets cocky and reckless.

Now, I admit I the reason Hosea pushes the bank job is most likely because he sees it as their last chance to stop the endless running, and that blinds him of the risks. But I can’t help but think Dutch’s “oh I love that Hosea!” after he sees the explosion go off shows us this is who Hosea is behind the fatherly facade. He isn’t afraid to cause absolute mayhem - after all, setting an explosion in a tightly built, busy city is pretty brazen and sets a lot of civilians at risk. And this was Hosea’s plan, not Dutch’s. He doesn’t care if it benefits him.

He is also the only person that pulls a gun on another gang member in camp as an intimidation tactic (not counting beaver hollow ofc). He regulary yells at gang members if they are not doing what they are supposed to do or slacking off. And it is effective; people seem to know that having angry Hosea coming towards you with or without a gun is not a laughing matter. They also clearly know that no-one is going to stop him if he decides to pull the trigger. He is feared. Dutch leads with love (as a manipulation tactic mind you) and gets love back, while Hosea’s love is sparse. He makes it clear that he doesn’t love everyone, so he has to get respect another way.

Anyway; Hosea in the legendary bear mission is fucking hilarious: ”A man in a bar gave it to me.. well I stole it from him but that’s another story.” ”Some loud-mouthed bastard tried to rob me when I was out riding so I… well, you know how it is.” Hosea you crazy low-honor bastard, I love you.