Ok, so while everyone is calling Hawkmoth Trash because of Chat Blanc (among other things), I am going to go call bullshit.
Gabriel would never purposely harm his son. And he was completely out of character that episode.
In fact, we have a clear precedent of him doing the exact opposite of what he has done in Chat Blanc.
Remember when one of the reasons he gave up being Hawkmoth in the first place was because it putting Adrian in danger (even if it was temporary).
It was one of his main reasons for doing so. All for the sake of Adrian.
Speaking of which, let’s remind ourselves of his reaction when Adrian got hit by the Akuma in the prior episode.
He is absolutely mortified by what he is done. However, he knows that it will be undone when he wins, so he goes on ahead. That doesn’t change that he is still worried about Adrian during the entire episode.
Then there was this scene in from earlier in season 2.
Sure this could seem as Gabriel not caring if his son is hurt. But this is one of the only times in the series when he makes the Villain put their plans on the backburner almost immediately. And of course, its when his son is involved. (And of course, it should be mention that he could wipe her of her powers after she would get the miraculous and not be able to get her revenge. Thus still protecting Adrian)
Then, of course, there is him protecting Adrian during Heroes’ day. Not the most significant example of fatherly love, but it again shows that he wanted to keep Adrian’s out harm’s way during the whole fiasco.
Then, there is this definitive moment that showed his character once and for all.
First off, during the events of Gorilla. When Adrian jumps off the freaking building.
First, he is absolutely mortified by what his son has done. Because above all else. He cares about his son.
Also, note that he has Ladybug in his grasps. For all intents and purposes, he has won at this point. He just needs to Adrian to transform into Chat Noir.
However, he does not and continues to fall off the side of and if Ladybug does not escape, he will die.
He is hesitant to let go because he wholeheartedly believes that Adrian would save himself. But you can see clearly on his face that every moment of this pains him. He desperately wants him to chat noir because, in this very moment, he could save himself and prove to him that the other miraculous is in arm’s length and would be able to save his wife.
This is Gabriel’s most defining moment.
Because for this brief moment. He lets his wife die, he sabotages his whole plan, he lets Ladybyg win. The entire reason he is a Villain is thrown out the window. All to save his son, who he loves more than anything.
When it came to being Hawkmoth or Adrian, he has always chosen Adrian.
Gabriel would do anything for his son.
This is why he is so out of character in Chat Blanc when he learns that Adrian is Chat Noir. He doesn’t even blink when he attacks his son.
This is so out of character it hurts.
Hawkmoth had always struggled with Hawkmoth when it came to Adrian. Its what made him such a fascinating character.
But in Chat Blanc, the writers stripped that away for the sake of a story and completely ruined there own writing (which shouldn’t be surprising because they have always done this). It’s such a shame that the only complex character in the show is reduced to such a two-dimensional character.
It’s really a waste and quite honestly a shame. A waste of an otherwise brilliant character
This is who he really is.
