tell us your thoughts on daniel's final words to arthur about "being a good man" despite having heard arthur literally just admit to killing "seven, maybe" people <333
You're a good man, son. My son. There is good in you. No matter what you've been through, no matter what circumstances have befallen you to make you commit such heinous acts. You are good. I've always known that. And now I want you to know that. Don't think it. Know it.
I had to listen to those two episodes with Daniel in them again in order to really listen into those particular conversations. There is so much growth between Daniel and Arthur in those moments. When Arthur arrives at Daniel's after meeting with Oscar, both parties are holding onto so much guilt and pain which has seated so deeply for so long. The conversation starts off as avoidant and tense since neither of them what to say the quiet parts out loud. When Arthur finally pushes Daniel to spit out what he wants to say, then progress is actually made. Though it starts a bit cutthroat, mutual apologies are made and both are at a better understanding of the other.
On Daniel's end of things, I want you to think about how Arthur was in Season 1. This gives us a bit of a better understanding of what Daniel's last impression of Arthur was. In Season 1, Arthur is way more spineless and fearful. While he has the potential to be confrontational and slightly agressive, that side of him isn't shown until much later. Even the growth we see as listeners (well, I suppose "see" is the wrong word. Ha!), after Arthur has met Parker and gotten his feet somewhat back underneath him is more than what Daniel has seen. His impression of Arthur is something set in the past: passiveness, lack of motivation, lack of passion, lack of stability, etc. It becomes increasingly clear in his conversation with Arthur, that he is not that same man. Something has happened to him to cause this change. The fact that Arthur even confronted Daniel head on was a sign that things have changed.
From there, I believe Daniel was able to drop those false emotional guards he had put up and was able to let himself care about Arthur again. He didn't want to allow himself to be hurt again. He had already lost everything that connected him to Bella and he certainly wasn't going to be eager to let the guy that fucked up his family so badly back in. However, seeing that Arthur has changed and that Arthur genuinely carries so much guilt with him from the death of Bella and Faroe, gave Daniel the abilty to care for him once more. He recognizes that he doesn't need to mold Arthur into this ideal man like he expressed wishing to before. Arthur has the capability to change and is doing so. He has the ability to love Arthur where he is at now. In this revised care and love, Daniel is able to trust Arthur and wishes to help him.
Daniel witnesses so much in that hospital, bless him. He only has a shred of understanding of what is going on as well as little ability to actually aid in this matter. So what does he do? He reassures Arthur. One thing that Daniel can quite easily pick up on is the fact that Arthur holds onto guilt and the self loathing that comes along with it like a child with their wubby. Daniel getting shot because of his relationship to Arthur is perfect fodder for Arthur to continue to spiral into just how much he has ruined that family. Daniel heads this off at the pass. Reassures Arthur that that trust they had just formed is still there. Reassures him that Daniel is still there. Even more than all of this, reassures Arthur that he is good. Outside of any religious conventions or spiritual beliefs, Arthur is a good person. Coming off the heels of Season 3, this is so important for Arthur to hear. Daniel is aiding in this situation the only ways he feels that he can: providing the Freemason's ring and best preparing Arthur emotionally for what he can only imagine Arthur has to do.
TL:DR, it's such an important growth moment for the both of them and they make me cry. Thank you <3
