Sometimes, I find myself breaking down Kixâs character, turning over his traits, his patterns and behaviors⌠and more and more I find the personality construed by fandom for Kix to be so wildly jarring from what we do have of Kix.
Kix has, roughly, 17 minutes of screen time across the entirety of TCW, which, when compared to the likes of Fives and Rex, who clock much more screen time than most other clones, this doesnât seem like a lotâbut when you factor in most clones' screen time, we get a lot of Kix, and thereâs a lot you can learn about him if you pay attention to the moments he does have on screen.
And to illustrate my point, and because I genuinely love Kix, Iâm taking it upon myself to examine what we do have of Kixâboth for my own purposes, creatively, and because I also happen to enjoy being neurotically intense about my favorite characters.
From âThe Deserterâ (S02:10) which is also Kixâs debut episode:
1. Kix speaks with a softer and gentler affliction in his voice compared to other clones (as seen with Jesse, who debuts alongside Kix and contrasts him in being more assertive.) I generally extrapolate this to be reflective of a softness that underscores Kixâs mannerisms.
2. When confronted by Suu, Kix doesnât react with aggression of defensiveness (even if heâs also escorting an injured Rex and has a rifle pointed at him,) instead he opts to gently, and slowly, explain the situation, (in fact, Suu cuts him off and it is Jesse who has to explain, Jesse, who speaks quickly and in a more assertive manner than Kix did.) Kixâs tone is also likely influenced by caution.
3. The most notable scene in this episode that Kix appears in is when heâs tending to an injured RexâI say notable because I think it informs much of how Kix treats his patients, even when theyâre being uncooperative. Because in this scene, Kix is nothing but gentle an caring towards Rex, even when Rex tries to order Kix into letting him back into the fight despite the nerve damage heâs taken from the shot to his chest. When he pulls rank on Rex it is done so firmly, but kindly, and his face is one of sheepishness. If this scene shows anything, itâs that Kix is patient.
From Kixâs debut episode, what can be described about his character is that heâs much more reserved and gentle in comparison to the much more assertive personality of Jesseâfrom his mannerisms to the tone of his voice. He will be firm, but he is not unkind. He also shows patience towards his patient, even when said patient is, initially, being uncooperative.
From Umbara (S04:07 - S04:10) which is when Kix gets the most screen time:
1. The first moment of note Kix appears in is when he raises concerns to Rex about the pace Krell has had them marching at, that this pace is taking its toll on the men and they need to rest. Kix raises these concerns respectfully, secondly, Kix is doing his duty as a medic, which, is fundamental to his character, finally, Kix cares about those around him and he does what he can to ensure the welfare of these men. (And also, I think itâs quite telling that Kix doesnât press the issue after Krell scolds them for it, as noted before, Kix does not have an assertive personality.)
2. When Kix is taking care of an injured clone heâs dragged into cover Kix retains his professionalism and keeps himself together even under stress. Kix comforts his patient instead, and I think it speaks of that gentleness I keep mentioning that Kix says, âYouâre gonna be okay, buddy, thisâll ease the pain.â Kix is comforting, and he holds himself together under stress because he has his brothers to take care of.
3. I think itâs also notable that when Torrent is starting to express their distrust in Krell, though you can tell Kix is beginning to get frustrated with the treatment of the men (expressing that with Krellâs plan, casualties will be high,) his comments are not nearly has harsh as those of Tup or Jesse. Once again, Kix is shown to be more reserved, and I see it as him maintaining his professionalism in raising these concerns, even as he is beginning to grow frustrated with this poor treatment.
4. The note of Kix beginning to grow frustrated with the treatment of his brothers will be expanded upon throughout the Umbara arc; especially in light of Kix taking his frustration and horror out on the wildlife of Umbara for feeding on the corpses of his brothers. If I am to extrapolate, those dead clones serve as a reminder to Kix; a remainder that he, more and more, has been unable to properly care for all his injured brothers. These clones are a reminder to Kix of the brothers he could not save. This is the first crack within Kix, due to the stress of Umbara, and I have to emphasis, this is not Kixâs normal pattern of behavior.
5. Continuing the thread of Kix beginning to crack under the pressures of Umbara, there is a moment in Umbara where Kix is tending to an injured cloneâone thatâs in his arms, and this clone gets shot to death in Kixâs arms. This is directly Kix being unable to save a cloneâs life despite being right there, because Umbara is that overwhelmingâto such a degree that heâs forced to leave behind the injured in this moment, even if he can save them. And this is another crack in Kixâs composure, because he snaps at Rex, he drops his professionalism and his respect, and even resorts to barbed comments against Rex for ordering him from tending to the injured because Torrent needs Kix alive. This is not Kixâs normal behavior, this is Kix, stressed and crumbling under the weight of Umbara.
6. The last notable scene Kix appears in, and this is the moment where Kix finally breaks under Umbaraâs pressureâitâs the moment where he starts haphazardly firing his blaster at the enemy. This is intended to be shockingâbecause this is not how Kix nominally acts, heâs in immense distress, and it takes Tup pulling him into cover to get him to calm down. Kix holds his composure for so long, and when he does break, he breaks hard.
7. To cap off the Umbara thoughts, though Kix does have more scenes, he is relegated to a background character for the most partâbut, I can only imagine what was going through Kixâs head when he had, under the orders of Krell, fired upon other clones, it is completely counter to who he is, both as a person and as a medic, and I imagine it cuts deepâas it did for all clones involved in that moment, but for Kix⌠some of that hurt I imagine would be coming from how heâs meant to save his brothers lives, heâs the medic⌠and yet, in that moment, all he did was take theirs.
Umbara shows that Kixâwho has been shown to be a respectful, kind, and helpful clone who just earnestly wants to do his duty in providing his brothers with the care he needsâis broken by an inability to help.
From the Chip arc (S06:01 - S06:04):
1. Not much to be said about some of Kixâs first appearances in this arc, as Kix is doing what he does as a medic (and expressing concern for Tup.) But the scene where Tup is in the infirmary, and Kix is confused about whatâs wrong with Tup, I do think that Kix being willing to say that he canât figure out whatâs wrong, and that if they want answers, heâll need to be sent back to Kamino, is indicative of Kix is aware of the limitations in his knowledge and is willing to humble himself.
2. This is more light-hearted scene (at first, anyway,) and is mostly conjecture on my part but I find it too amusing to leave out. That is the scene in which Kix is checking himself out in the mirror at 79âs. I do not think this is indicative of Kix being conceited about his looksârather, I think itâs indicative of something else entirely in light of how he also talks in this scene. When he realizes someone else walks in, he talks with a deeper tone that I can only describe as Kix trying to present himself as being cool and mysterious.
All the while heâs nonchalantly brushing his shoulders off. Itâs so funny to me, especially when he realizes itâs Fives who just walked in, and immediately he tone switches to his typical inflectionâand his mannerisms return to the typical ones weâve seen of him. (Yes, I also think Kix had the haircut he does because he tries to present himself as cooler than he actually is, I imagine he grew embarrassed by this insistence given he grows it out later onâKix is a dork, I said what I said.)
3. And yes, Kix immediately jumping to concern, before offering his help to Fivesâeven if his duty would insist that he turn Fives in because of the attempted assassinationâI think, this is because Kix fixates on Fivesâ distress, and he focuses on how to alleviate that stress, so even as itâs clear heâs confused by what Fives has gotten himself into, Kix still offers his help, and gives it freely in getting Fives in direct contact with Anakin and Rex at his behest. Itâs a strong moment for his character, and his face when he asks what he can do to help⌠itâs so earnest. Heâs loyal to his brothers.
And finally, there is the Echo arc of season 7, (S07:01 - S07:04):
1. When their gunship gets shot down, Kix is the first to notice that Cody was injured in the wreck and is trapped; I put this down to Kix being attentive and keeping track of the head count of the party heâs with, something done because he is the team medic and he is responsible for the well being of those around him first and foremost.
2. Then there is the scene at the campfire, which, firstly shows the bond Jesse and Kix have given the ease of banter between them and the comfort between them in their interactions. Secondly, I find it interesting how when Wrecker strangles Jesse, while Rex resorts to more direct action (trying to pull Wrecker by his collar,) Kix kind of just hovers, itâs a pretty⌠non-violent action when Rex and Jesse both jump to the defensive with the batch (Rex, even more directly, later on, when he actually punches Crosshair.)
Similarly, even when Crosshair shoves Kix away, Kix shoves back before getting stuck in a headlock, and even after getting out of the headlock, at most he puts his hands on Crosshair to keep shoving him away. Generally, Kix is a lot less confrontational compared to either Jesse and Rex are in regards to the batchâwhich, circles around to my point of Kix not being as assertive, neither will he be overly aggressive towards allies. (This may be extrapolated as Kix refusing to take more direction action against another clone, given Umbara. But, thatâs just extrapolation; a theory, a musing on motives.)
3. (Also yes I am aware that Kix makes jabs about the batch and I mostly construe this to be that Kix can be judgmental about others when heâs skeptical of them, I have my reasons as to why Iâm not putting a lot of weight on this but itâs tied to a critique of the arcâs writing, which is not what this is about.)
In summation, Kix is shown, repeatedly, to be someone whose kind and helpfulâwhat matters most to him is the care and well being of his brothers. Heâs earnest in that care, and heâs got a softness that underscores a lot of his mannerisms and speech. He does his best to hold himself together for the sake of his brothers. He gets frustrated and breaks down in the face of mounting casualties and an inability to help his brothers. Heâs respectful and professional in how he conducts himself as a medic, and even if he pulls rank, heâs firm but kind about itâhe expresses patience in how he handles those under his care. Additionally, and in my own conjecture of his character, Kix tries to present himself as cooler than he actually is, suggesting a level of dorky insecurity to him. Heâs also shown to lash out and make barbed comments when heâs incredibly stressed, and Kix carries judgment towards others when heâs skeptical of them.
What Kix is not is a hard ass medic whose sick of everyoneâs shit, who berates and scolds his patients relentlesslyâcomplaining about how they make his job harder. He is not quick to anger nor does he easily take his frustrations out on those around himâespecially those under his care. He does not constantly throw his rank around to get those under his care to do what he wants.
It is a far cry from Kixâs character, and I think itâs a damn shame Kixâs actual character gets ignored in favor in fanon, because honestly, Kix as he is in canon is incredibly interestingâcarrying a host of traits that can be explored and examined in their own right.
(Also, in quick references, Iâve narrowed down two videos that compiled Kixâs screen time across TCW, this one which clocks at ~14 minutes, and the second one with clocks in at ~17 minutes.)
2087
vaporwave
pixelskylines
blakekathryn
ellievsbear
kaledo-art
discoholicmusic
kianamaiart
tangentwithtanner
