"Cloud, you set the bomb" (because I can't)

[Ite]

I've often wondered why Barret made Cloud arm the bombs in the mako reactors, when he didn't trust him? It only just occurred to me that Barret couldn't manage it with his gun-arm.

Which makes Cloud's line "Shouldn't you do it?" a deliberate jab at Barret's be-handing.

 

[Ami]

That's a valid point. Thanks for elaborating on that. I did often wonder why he said that, but my pre-teen/teenage self couldn't figure it out.

 

[Flintlock]

This lends a new meaning to the term "hired hand".

 

[Shademp]

I never considered this interpretation, but it does sound very logical. In case anybody wants to check the Japanese lines, here they are (plus the English localization).

Spoiler

Japanese exchange:

バレット
「クラウドさんよ
　この爆弾をセットしてくれ」

クラウド
「あんたがやったほうが
　いいんじゃないのか？」

バレット
「オレ？　オレは見張らせてもらう。
　おまえさんがおかしなマネを
　しないようにな」

クラウド
「……好きにしてくれ」



English exchange:

{BARRET}
“{CLOUD}, you set the bomb.”

{CLOUD}
“Shouldn't you do it?”

{BARRET}
“Jus' do it!
I gotta watch to make sure
you don't pull nothin'.”

PSX version:
{CLOUD}
“Fine, be my guest.”

PC version:
{CLOUD}
“Fine, I'll do it.”

 

[Ghost X]

Is it clearly implied, or is this just an explanatory theory? Of course, people are less capable of doing things with only one hand, but to be an arse, I won't be happy unless all doubt is removed .

 

[AvecAloes]

Good point, Ite. I've often wondered why exactly he made Cloud do it as well, but that makes perfect sense.

 

[Octo]

Yup, Barret is doubly disabled with his gun arm and a hand bigger than his head. I'd hate to try and decipher text messages from the guy.

 

[Tennyo]

I always assumed Barret made Cloud do it for no other reason than Cloud is the ~hero~ of the story. FFVII has a really bad case of that.

 

[Gym Leader Devil]

I always put it down to "I don't trust this spikey-headed ass, I'm not kneeling down to set this bomb up and having him and his giant sword behind me!" But, the missing hand could easily be a nice little ulterior motive.

 

[ForceStealer]

^That's what I thought.

 

[Arianna]

I always figured it was to see if Cloud is really serious about being a part of AVALANCHE.

 

[Farron]

I just assumed that Barret was just being a lazy fuck and just let Cloud do it because he couldn't be effed.

Sort of like you what the television channel to be changed but you can't be screwed to do it because you've had a long shitty day at work

meh you do it

 

[Lord Noctis]

I just assumed that Barret was just being a lazy fuck and just let Cloud do it because he couldn't be effed.

Well, if he were that lazy he probably wouldn't have bothered joining the attack in the first place.

Anyway, I say Ites theory makes perfect sense, though I always thought the same way GLD does about it.

 

[looneymoon]

I always interpreted it this way! Though I more saw it as Cloud being insensitive/slightly dumb than deliberately trying to insult Barret.

 

[Kai Schulen]

Yup, Barret is doubly disabled with his gun arm and a hand bigger than his head. I'd hate to try and decipher text messages from the guy.

I can imagine it now...

 

[Gym Leader Devil]

brb, dying of laughter now.

 

[Colours]

I'm pretty sure it's because he doesn't trust him, either. Same goes for when they (Barret, Cloud and Tifa) are about to jump off the train, Barret stays behind, whereas Cloud again asks "Shouldn't you go first?"

"Leaders always stay until the end."

That, and he's stubborn as hell. xD