I’ve seen a post that claims that the Ace-Ops represent different aspects of Ironwood’s character. How true that is will always be debatable, but after some thought, I’ve decided to put my own view of the subject forth.
Clover resembles so much of Ironwood that this was the hardest to figure, but I’ve determined that at most he represents Ironwood’s thirst for authority. Both men are quick to use their official positions to block people out and justify themselves. There’s so much an air of “I outrank you, sit down or I’ll arrest you” in everything they do and how they treat people, but as Sleet said, they’re the ones not following the law. And when Clover dies, Ironwood stops citing policy and his rank to justify himself.
Harrier and Ironwood are both highly competitive individuals, something that other people have noted. They always have to insist that they are the superior ones, and do not take well to having their status’ challenged. And as the series goes on, they sink into deeper immorality just so they can pay those that slighted them back. As Robyn points out, it’s less about doing what’s right and more about having an easy to target to feel good against. This leads to them both interfering with the evacuation of Atlas out of wounded pride, indirectly causing people to die.
Vine and Ironwood share a sense of detachment. This allows them to make ruthlessly pragmatic and objective decisions, because they never truly care. When Ironwood makes the call to abandon Mantle to die, it is Vine that speaks up in support. Ironically, when the heroes defeat the Ironwood faction and begin working to evacuate, Vine, due to his detached nature, is able to recognize their defeat and in fact gives up his life to save the others, while Ironwood obsessively continues to advance his plans, yet cannot even take one last strike at Salem.
Elm and Ironwood, perhaps contradictionally have a wide-berth of emotion, feeling things in a big way. But, they also showing feelings for others are a sign of weakness, and will only show their emotions in ways that are toxic. For example, showing affection for a good first impression, but then claiming not to be friends afterwards. Or keeping their anger bottled up until they burst. Elm’s turning point is when she confesses that the Ace-ops are friends. Ironwood, in regards to Winter’s betrayal, refuses to acknowledge how hurt he is, even when a tear runs down. While Elm lives, Ironwood dies alone and unmourned.
For Marrow, he and Ironwood share a sense of virtue, wanting to do good and believing the military are a method for that. However, Marrow is easily the least-favored and most mistreated member of the Ace-Ops, symbolizing Ironwood’s virtue is tainted by his other flaws. And when Ironwood himself leaves Marrow out of a mission, it represents how little he’s starting to see virtue, beyond the occasional PR op, like when Marrow was sent to Robyn’s victory party.
