This Is A Brilliant Ruse By Hawkeye, Right?

I didn't realize Tuesday's post didn't go as planned originally. Not sure why it was saved as a draft instead. Little irritations.

While we're talking about Secret Avengers and things not going like I'd hope, let's talk about the end of issue 32. The Black Widow accuses Eric O'Grady of being Ant-Man. Hawkeye dismisses her concern. Natasha leaves in a huff. Captain Britain warns Hawkeye the Descendants are definitely up to something. Hawkeye dismisses it, claiming he wants sleep, and everything will keep six hours. Naturally, things go to hell the next issue.

There are just a lot of things that ring false there. Hawkeye dismissing Natasha's accusations for one thing. Those two have had their ups and downs, but Hawkeye knows the Black Widow is the best spy there is, and so when it comes to ferreting out secrets, he trusts her instincts. He may not agree with her on the appropriate response (the Widow is more of a pragmatist, and sees the wider implications more clearly), but he knows she isn't going to make random accusations without a good reason.

Plus, being an Avenger is such a big deal to Hawkeye, something he takes so seriously, I can't see him being presented with two related major problems and just blowing them off. He doesn't even tell Braddock, Natasha, or anyone else who has the energy to start investigating. He basically says, 'It's after 5, I'm off the clock. Come back tomorrow.'

Beyond that, I can't see the Black Widow just leaving like that. She knows the Descendants are a threat, and she's certain O'Grady is one of them. So she's just walking away? Washing her hands of the whole problem. Yeah, I can't see that happening.

What I prefer to think is Hawkeye wanted to hear more about O'Grady, but didn't want the LMD present at the time. So he gave Natasha some kind of signal to indicate they should play it how they did, so that O'Grady would feel he's still secure. The team leader is not swayed by the accusation, and the person making it is gone, he's in the clear.

That may be too much to hope for. Remender's Hawkeye has seemed arrogant in the wrong way throughout this run. Hawkeye says and does stupid things in the heat of the moment, and he certainly tries to get by on bravado too much at times. Like lying to the T'Bolts about the government agreeing to clear them of crimes if they straighten up under his leadership. But this consistent blanket dismissal of anyone's opinions besides his own feels wrong. Hawkeye's cocky, but he knows he makes mistakes. It's why he works as hard as he does. He's human, he has to be that good to run with the big dogs, but working that hard would make him realize he isn't always going to be perfect. He needs to listen to other people, but he's largely refused to do that so far.

I don't think Remender plans to kill the whole team as a way to teach Hawkeye this lesson, but I wish I was more confident than I am.