Yall know how Arthur is constantly railing John for being an idiot? Yall notice how Arthur refuses to speak up, he is steadfastly silent he is literally the audience, while John is like "wtf you just fed a very important mob boss to a gator how does this help us?"

Bc Arthur is thinking the same thing. He is appalled. They all are. But John is the one who speaks up. He voices the thoughts that everyone is thinking. They all know Dutch is out of line here, but John is the only one to call him on it.

So how is it the wolf-eaten idiot is the only one with any sense? Idk he took a year off, and gained perspective? He knows he's insulated bc he's the 'golden boy"?

John has real stakes now. He took his son for granted until he was kidnapped, and the threat of losing him became real. Arthur doesn't know it yet, but he's already seeking absolution vicariously via John. They all want out, but they're looking to Dutch to lead them out, and John is the only one starting to see that Dutch is only leading them to their execution.

But what can he do? He'd lean on Arthur, but arthur ain't a leader. Arthur can think on his feet but he can't really think beyond that, he's always relied on Dutch and Hosea, and Hosea is outnumbered.