Rhetticus :
I agree with most of this, but it’s not just ego, it’s also protection. The only constructs he uses (apart from the first episode’s money and beer opener) are shields, bubbles, force fields, tornadoes, and beams of energy that never attack but divert harm away from himself, John, and the townsfolk. Hal is also doing almost everything he can to isolate the ring’s power because he’s lost faith in the good of it. He describes the job as lonely and dangerous, saying that it’s best to just push everyone you love away from the ring because of it. When he charges his ring, it’s always a rushed quiet oath, as if he is embarrassed or no longer cares about the great power of the ring. He doesn’t want anyone else to have this ring not just because of ego, but because he knows the consequences of carrying it. There is ego, sure, but knowing Hal, who is never honest about his true feelings, there is a high chance he’s protecting John from becoming as lonely and hurt as he is.
2026-09-17 23:19:19