Further thoughts on the pilot of Spenser:
Near the end of the episode, there's a sudden shift where we realize that that whatever has happened between them, ultimately Spenser and Hawk still value each other despite it as well as over whatever the mission is, and immediately after this moment, they start joking with each other again. The crime boss Hawk had been working for says something racist, and Hawk and Spenser go full comedy duo despite being in potential mortal danger:
And then Spenser beats the crap out of the crime boss, and we see the exact moment Susan goes from "who is this fucker" to "oh I like this fucker" about Hawk
As they're leaving to bring the knocked-out crime boss back to Boston, Susan pries a little and points out that Hawk was clearly going to save Spenser regardless of any quid pro quo, and Hawk admits, yes, because there's not many people like him and Spenser in the world, and that he'd miss Spenser if he died.
Out of Hawk's earshot, Susan asks Spenser what he thinks of Hawk's confession:
So like. Hawk/Spenser/Susan is just about my all time favorite OT3, and yet somehow I fully missed this the first time I watched the episode. They're just out there stating it outright that these two relationships are on an equal footing (and frankly that he *would* but *won't* marry either of them.) It's a really nice mirror to the end of the finale of the third (and final) season, as well??
I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS
....also can we talk about the....... white... silk... cape?? That Hawk wears to an arms deal???
(also why is he doing the Sokka Water Tribe exit)
