I put BN on in the background getting ready to do dishes, and I really listened to the opening for the first time in a while.
And.
"When you're burned...you rely on anyone who's still talking to you" *describes his family, found and otherwise*
Tom Card et al tried to strip him of everything to force him to be the tool they wanted. Even killing his father when the man showed some hint of decency and care for Michael.
But in doing so they trapped him with the people who actually love him. They forced him to spend his time with people who speak to his better angels. They forced him towards connection.
They tried to use his deep seated need for acceptance and belonging to drive him towards them. Instead they drove him towards his actual community, actual connection. And that community ultimately freed him being a tool of the state















