Simms - The Lone Rider in Cowboy Bebop

Spike

Spike’s statement that he was only going against Vincent for the money was contradicted by the fact that he was going through extreme lengths to find him, lengths that almost got him killed. I don’t know if he would have risked that much if it was just for the money. For instance, there was the scene on the train that almost got Spike killed when he was shot by Vincent. After that incident took place Spike could have walked away from it all because he would not be getting the money, and at the same time he would have realized that Vincent was more than just a terrorist. Another scene which demonstrated how Spike’s past fears and anxieties go against his “just for the money” talk is when he decides to face Vincent by himself in the final battle. I think it shows how he is trying to face his past fears by himself and that maybe he believes that beating Vincent will allow him to move on in a way.

I saw Rashid as one of Spike’s few resources to the truth throughout the film. Most of his information on Vincent has come from Rashid, and even when it shows that he knows Rashid’s true identity he still depends on the information that he is being given. He depends on him, but he does not necessarily trust him. I saw Elektra as being a kindred spirit to Spike. She is just as determined to get the information needed about Vincent and they are going through extreme lengths to get to him. Also, when they are in the jail cells together it is revealed that they have both lost someone that they love. However, the most interesting relationship is the one between Vincent and Spike. These are two characters who are troubled by their past and in search of the truth. Spike’s past is motivating him to find out the truth about Vincent, and Vincent’s lack of knowledge about his past is what is pushing him to find out the truth about “purgatory”.  They are both loners who don’t usually seem to want the aid of others in their mission and see one another as obstacles.