#like they really did a lot of heavy lifting with Macaque in s3

[imminent-danger-came]

Do you think Macaque is meant to be fully redeemed as of S4? I don't personally think so but apparently a lot of people do ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Well, I guess it depends how you view "redeemed"! At this point, I fully believe that Macaque has become one of the "good guys" (even as we're continually deconstructing what that is). Macaque chose to help "make things right" in "Embrace Your Destiny". Macaque chose to help MK when he was at his lowest in 4x09. Macaque's choice to stay and face the end of the world with everyone else, in contrast to his 2x07, 3x10, and 4x11 (flashback) choices to run away, is an extremely significant development. This is juxtaposed to Peng in particular, who chooses to leave when things look too dangerous for them, ultimately abandoning their brothers ("Is there anything Wukong could do that would break his hold over you?"). We can see the ways in which Macaque has started putting others/the greater good above himself. The fact that he willingly offered to help Wukong in 4x11 is HUGE for him, and proves he has started to understand and even forgive Wukong. He's grown. He's starting to gain more noble traits.

HOWEVER, would I say Macaque's character arc is complete? Absolutely not! "Redemption" isn't the end all be all for an arc. Macaque still has plenty of places to improve (particularly with his relationships), and we could stand for an MK apology.

But, god be willing, in the event we get the "SWK & MK falling out", I hope Macaque is the one defending Wukong from MK. Reverse the roles. MK has been the one to constantly argue on Wukong's behalf to everyone else, he's been Wukong's greatest supporter (or his biggest fan dare I say). Macaque's been so deeply hurt by Wukong, and has arguably been one of Wukong's greatest disparagers. They'd be following in each others footsteps, so to speak. MK becoming more jaded and Macaque becoming more compassionate. After all, who knows more about the ways you can get too close to Wukong than Macaque! But, who else knows more about forgiving Wukong than Macaque? Though this was kind of a tangent lol.

Anyways, tldr: I think Macaque has been "redeemed" in the sense he's fully on team "protagonist" now, but he has plenty of room to grow!

#like they really did a lot of heavy lifting with Macaque in s3 #ESPECIALLY in 3x10. Will never forget the ''We're heroes! It's what we do!'' and Macaque's face looking at MK #The utter disbelief that MK would choose to stand by Mei. Would even *refuse* to leave her #On the god damn floor #*clapping my hands* Yay!!! I love legos!!!!! #lmk #lego monkie kid #lmk Macaque #SWK V MK #asks #lmk analysis #anyways hoping MK tears into everyone next season. Including Macaque #Ready for him to stop ignoring everything that's gone down lol #I'M GONNA GET MY s2 CATHARSIS. I SWEAR IT.