This isn't really related to INAotD but- Guys, Macaque is SO underrated.
Remember in the memory scroll when Wukong is trapped under the mountain? and he's like "Sure, because you normally just RUSH to my aid!" And Macaque looks all hurt like he feels bad that Wukong is right?
In this nation we stan "loyal to a fault" pre-jttw mac. He wasn't thinking that Wukong was right, he was hurt because Wukong was wrong. Like seriously, every time these two fight together they're, like, a match made in heaven. They know each other so well, and even when they fight against each other, they match move for move, except Wukong hits harder.
I am LIVID about this, because I've stated before that they know what the other is thinking instantly when they lock eyes, but I'd like to retract that statement. Wukong has a plan, Macaque knows him well enough to know that plan, and all they have to do is look at each other to make sure they're both on board and BOOM they're fighting like a pair of twin swords and the bad guy is done.
Instances? S2 special ep when they lend their power to MK to defeat LBD. Collar the King when they escape the cell. Into the Pagoda when they set the others free. Sacrifice when Mac broke Wukong from Xiangliu. Mac outright said they were literally unstoppable together in Shadow Play.
Macaque followed Wukong into a war he knew they'd lose, he did everything his king asked him to, and that king had the gall to accuse him of not being loyal? Like, I feel like the show tries to convince us that Mac actually was a coward in the past, and that he really is in it for himself, but I'm seeing straight through all of that, because literally every single time we see Macaque, he's building towards some bigger plan that eventually helps them defeat whatever big bad they're facing.
The guy is, like, the smartest good guy to end all smart good guys. All of s2-3 he knew about lbd and was trying to figure out how to end her himself before MK presented a new problem, and he had to figure out how to get MK to be able to stop her if he wasn't going to step out of the way.
The words aren't coming out right and I have so much more to say but can't just- say it. There's too much- this guy is such a KING and literally the entire reason I watch the show anymore. Oh and because he and Wukong are so gay but mostly bc Macaque is awesome.