Wtf just even happened 😂

On my third playthrough of RDR 2 (finally got a new copy!) and honestly, whether intended or not- to me Dutch never really "went crazy". Right out the gate we are given snippets of unusual behaviour from Dutch. Arthur remarks multiple times that he isn't entirely sure what went down in Blackwater, or why Dutch shot that girl.

When Dutch asks Arthur if he is doubting him, Arthur immediately laughs it off, or says a firm no. But in his journal, and to other camp members, he voices his concerns. Particularly with Hosea.

Forgive me for not remembering exact dialogue, but at one point early on Arthur directly asks Dutch what happened on the boat, and Dutch claims he couldn't get to Arthur (or something of that ilk) in time to help him.

My first playthrough, I just assumed he was telling the truth, (after all, why would he lie, right?)... But we know that when Dutch doesn't consider someone useful enough, and it is too much effort/danger for himself- he gives no second thoughts about leaving them to die. He did it to John, and twice to Arthur. Who knows, there may have been other times too.

My point is, fandom seems to accept that at the start of the game Dutch was a decent guy (for an outlaw, I mean), and over time his paranoia and Micah constantly whispering in his ear got to him. And while I agree they sped up his descent, I don't agree that he was a good guy at all to begin with.

Dutch paints himself as a saviour, generous to those he "rescues". Though evidence suggests he is simply charming and charismatic and not much else. He doesn't help around camp (I suspect he would comsider himself above it), he claims to have raised Arthur and John when clearly it really was Hosea (world's greatest dad btw ily). Dutch calls Arthur and John "son", but only in moments of manipulation and guilt-tripping to get the results he desires.

Dutch is a master manipulator, and finds little ways to set Arthur and John against each other through showing favouritism to one or the other and baiting them.

The only character (besides himself) Dutch goes out of his way to save/keep out of harms way is Jack, and it clearly isn't out of care for the boy. It is to look, once again, like a hero, a saviour. He wanted to have his moment of glory.

Friendship and bitter egg

I want to eat laundry soap