Adrian2 days ago (edited)
Dutch and High Honor Arthur’s last moments together always stick with me, years after the games release. In his last moments, despite everything that Dutch had put him through, despite the fact that Dutch had left Arthur to die more than once, Arthur still loved him in a way. Instead of lamenting how he could fall so far, the last thing Arthur does is try to warn Dutch that Micah is a traitor, and tells him how he gave him everything. It’s probably the only time during the whole game we see Arthur so close to tears, and it very clearly strikes a major cord with Dutch. For the first time in the whole game, this man known for his grandiose speeches, has absolutely nothing to say, and almost appears utterly heartbroken. His friend, someone he effectively considers his surrogate son, and someone he knows that he’s hurt so much is lying before him dying, and he’s still attempting to protect him. And in that moment it’s like the reality of everything that Dutch had done just seems to rush in. All the lives he took, all the people he had lost, all of it has lead to this moment. The gang is destroyed, the closest thing he has to family is dead, and he is responsible. I think out of all the loss that Dutch experienced, Arthur’s death hit him the hardest, not just because of the fact that he lost someone he considered a son, but also because to Dutch, Arthur was everything that Dutch hoped to see in his perfect utopia. Arthur’s death signifies that the time for outlaws had passed, and that knowledge, along with the fact that Dutch had as good as killed Arthur himself, was something he likely thought of everyday till the day he died.
DarthVaderReviews3 days ago
IMO the reason why Dutch shoots Micah and leaves is not a direct result of him developing humility and realizing how evil Micah was. Rather, I believe the reason why Dutch ever kept Micah around was to help him justify the depraved actions he always wanted to take. Think about it. Every other character in the game regards Micah as pretty much the most despicable person possible. Dutch is the only exception, and all we get as explanation is a brief mention that Micah seemingly saved Dutch's life when they met, and Micah being sycophantic. However, there is one notable piece of value Micah consistently provides to Dutch, besides flattery. Micah always enables Dutch's urges. And as Dutch admits in the first game, he just wants to do what's in his nature- So you can imagine why he'd attach himself to Micah, a man who encourages Dutch to do horrible nonsense, eventually over people like Hosea and Arthur who want Dutch to continue playing a role that he doesn't think suits him anymore. But by 1907, Dutch's transformation is complete. He no longer feels a molecule of remorse in senseless murder. He doesn't need Micah anymore.
Ardan Blade3 days ago
I think the ultimate issue with Dutch was his inability to let go of comforts for his imagined utopia. He could easily have taken his gang into the wilderness to build a new life. What he couldn’t let go of were the fine clothes, high minded books, cigars, alcohol, and attention. He wanted a utopia free of society, but with all of the comforts that only society can provide.
www.escapistmagazine.com
. 
