Hey! Have you noticed that, throughout Season 2 of The Owl House (and also in the last episode of Season 1), we have never ONCE seen Hunter without his gloves?
I mean, he doesn’t even take them off in his own room. Not even while petting Flapjack.
You can’t even justify it as him wearing it just because it’s part of his Golden Guard uniform. Because even after he had run away from Belos and was hiding at Hexide…
And even after he joined the CATS rebel group, he STILL wears them (even if he wears little else from his old uniform)…
Buuuuuuuttttt, while he still wears gloves at the beginning of Thanks to Them…
After that lovely intro tho, where we KNOW quite a bit of time has passed…
LOOK!
He finally took his gloves OFF! (And, for that matter, he does not wear as many layers of clothing as he did in the previous season either, but the gloves are more noticeable.)
Now, as to why I’m making such a big deal of it…
The thing is, wearing a lot of layers, or gloves, or jackets, all the time (or even a mask all the time) is often related to anxiety and/or trauma. Wearing heavy clothes (or layers), or covering yourself up as much as possible, can help give a sense of safety when you don’t feel safe (think of what a weighted blanket does for anxiety and then imagine how it would feel to wear one all the time).
For some, it’s like being encased in a hug. A hug you put yourself in on top of that, which helps give you a sense of control when your circumstances in life feel out of your control. (Sometimes it’s even the texture of the fabric, which, for people who soothe through touch, can be a powerful calming technique.)
Some like layers and gloves and socks – even while not weather-appropriate – because it feels protective, like you can hide in them. Just like those who wear a lot of black to subconsciously give themselves a sense of safety and control, to hide and blend into the background.
Of course, looked at randomly, these things can just be personal preferences too; it doesn’t have to be a mental health coping mechanism.
But, this is Hunter we’re talking about. And look at the consistency of him wearing gloves and layers. But, after a while in the Human World, away from Belos and living with his friends and Camila, he is obviously much more comfortable and feels safer.
It’s like Gus pointed out: He’s happy here. And while that comment makes Hunter immediately worry and move to placate Gus, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s the truth. He’s happy. He feels safer than he ever has before. And, while the symptoms of anxiety and complex PTSD still linger, they are much improved – because he is safe and happy. (I’m sorry, I can’t say that enough! I’m so happy he got some time to be safe and happy for the first time in his life!)
I LOVE this show! I LOVE how the writers, artists, and animators have added these wonderful, insightful little details!!! <3
