Thread by @CJ_Black0

#CJs2Cents: So after seeing others talk about this scene & then going back to refresh myself with it, I can definitely say that the truck talk between Blake & Yang in v7 was a well written moment of character interaction...but only when it's observed in a vacuum.
#RWBY

Let me explain, the scene's good on its own because it comes off as a natural conversation between 2 people and it really gives us a glimpse into the general psyche of both Yang & Blake over what's happening around them and what they have recently done. It was a great RWBY scene.

However, these positives start to fall at the wayside when you apply the context of the rest of the show to the conversation. First of all, the events that lead to this talk are the 2 part of a squad ready to ambush Robyn & try to work out a deal with her for betterment of all.

It's here that Blake voices her distress over doing this-even and though it would help quell the problems of both cities & help them in reconnecting the world-and even puts ambushing Robyn on the same negative level as lying to their allies & even killing Adam.

Blake, I'm sorry but capturing a vigilante who's unknowingly impeding your progress for a project that would benefit the entire world, isn't a bad thing. They weren't going to intentionally hurt Robyn, just see if she's trustworthy & work out something where all parties benefit.

The fact that this miniscule and honestly appropriate act is the final nail in the coffin to make her apparently voice her disagreement with things around her comes off as a bit forced as you'd think Blake would agree as Robyn using the same tactics the radical White Fang used.

The other thing that ruins this scene in context is the apparent reveal that Blake & Yang were indeed affected by their killing of Adam, which does show that they didn't just shrug off their first intentional killing. However, this is then ruined when we add context to it.

You see, throughout v7, we have seen Blake & Yang exhibit primarily positive emotions, along with genuine laughs & smiles. The only time they exhibit negative emotions is when it connects to what's happening in the present; like the state of Mantle, James & Salem's machinations.

At no point in the entire volume do we see the two showing any bit of anguish or mental strain over having to kill Adam. In fact, this is the first and only time they ever bring it up in the entire volume in any capacity. They literally showed no signs of holding back any issues.

So I'm sorry, but forgive me if I just can't buy the narrative that these 2 girls who were being shown laughing, having fun, and dancing with little to no care to their displays actually holding back some mental anguish. And with nothing to back it up, it becomes headcannon.

And finally, the biggest flaw with this scene when you put in context with it is simply...the scene is ultimately pointless and goes nowhere for either these two or the story itself.

In terms of the story, one may say that this talk led to Blake and Yang's betrayal by deciding to tell Robyn about the Amity project. However, not only does that decision make no sense, but them telling Robyn ultimately didn't amount to anything when you stop and think about it.

Even if they didn't tell Robyn about Amity, she still would've ended up at the Schnee manor, she still would've learned about Salem and would've helped James unite Atlas & Mantle & she still would've caused Tyrian's escape via attacking Clover, resulting in his death.

Ultimately, in terms of the general plot, them telling Robyn only served to give James & the Aces another reason to distrust them & stand against them as we learn that Salem draws near. But really, they already had some smoke fuel already for that, so it was just extra firewood.

And in terms of their characters, it goes without saying that nothing about Blake and Yang was logically revealed or explored beyond what we already knew about the two girls. Not only that, but as we see later, their characters aren't changed in the least by this talk at all.

So ultimately, the big volume 7 truck talk between Blake and Yang both didn't accomplish anything for the plot, nor did it make any logical sense either for it to happen or the things that were said. The only way this scene remains objectively good is when it's without the show.