Board Thread:Episode Discussion/@comment-4141313-20181124081953/@comment-38046765-20190104123029

Martin Pickett wrote: I sort of have a problem with Qrow and his alleged "drinking problem". Was it ever really a problem  or even portrayed as anything more than a comic relief? It doesn't seem like it was treated as such in Vol 3-present. It seems that throughout the episodes in the series, Qrow's alcoholism is more of a joke rather than a serious thing. No one really says much about it until Qrow's seen visibly and mentally on edge after the truth comes out about Ozpin. But no one really confronts Qrow about his alcoholic state and how it can affect the team dynamic.

Also, is anyone a bit worried that a drunk man is leading a bunch of kids? It's just strange and weird. Nothing has happened yet conveniently. He literally always has alcohol, and has a bad luck semblance that could affect literally anything at any given time. This is someone who Ozpin has entrusted people to.. Qrow's character to me is just..poorly executed here as well as in Ep. 6 but I won't spoil anything.

Thoughts? I disagree respectfully yet completely.

1. His drinking isn't meant to produce a comic effect - quite the contrary. It was always serious. What you see is a deeply disturbed, depressed and lonely man who can only cope with the help of a bottle. I could even explain why that is his drug of choice but I would be getting off the subject.

2. About "leading the children"... in time, some people learn to function at 110 % when drunk so his alcoholism can't really impair his judgement or anything. In fact, I would assume drinking helps him to be a better huntsman at least when he is around people. Qrow is a tragic character, a man around 40 who is doomed to permanent solitude because his semblance threatens everyone he cares about. Can you imagine spending so many decades away from the people you love the most because your very presence puts them in danger? That is enough to make anyone drink. He drinks because he's always sad about what he does to people and only a high alcohol content can make him care less about his curse.

3. Qrow's character is overall perfectly executed (although I take issue with a certain reaction of his, which is meant for another post) but not everyone can see the depth and tragedy to this man.