Avocato

Avocato, one of the two tritagonists (alongside Little Cato) of Final Space, is a former Ventrexian general and former second-in-command of the Lord Commander. Skillful, dangerous, and not always trustworthy, Avocato's complex past and conflicting loyalties make him a compelling character.

Avocato's journey begins as the best soldier in Ventrexia, fighting endless wars despite his hatred for the conflict. When the Lord Commander saves Avocato and his men from an ambush, Avocato initially distrusts him but is persuaded to join his cause, believing they can create a universe without death. As the Lord Commander's right-hand man, Avocato conquers planets and kills hundreds, all in the name of his master's expanding empire.

Avocato's loyalty is tested when a future version of his son, Little Cato, warns him of his demise at the hands of the Lord Commander. Ultimately, Avocato refuses to kill his firstborn, leading to his son being taken hostage by the Lord Commander to ensure his compliance.

Three years before the main events of the series, Avocato joins a group of bounty hunters in pursuing Mooncake aboard the Galaxy One. As the only survivor, he is captured by Gary Goodspeed and forced to play cards with him. Though initially hostile, a bond forms between the two, with Gary promising to help free Avocato's son.

As part of Team Squad, alongside Quinn Ergon, Avocato discovers his son's location on Zetakron Alpha. Though a trap, Avocato and Gary manage to free Little Cato. However, Avocato sacrifices himself to shield his son and the others from a bomb placed by the Lord Commander.

In a twist of fate, a young Temporal Worm sends the Team Squad three years back in time, allowing Little Cato to warn his father of his impending death. Though Avocato's memory is erased, he is saved from the Lord Commander's clutches and reunited with his son and Gary.

However, Avocato's happiness is short-lived. Possessed by the evil entity Invictus, Avocato angrily disowns his son before disappearing. He later pursues the Crimson Light to exact revenge on Gary, only to be shot down by his own son. Invictus is eventually forced from Avocato's body, freeing him.

In season 3, Avocato is seen struggling to survive in Final Space alongside the Team Squad, facing zombified versions of Gary and the looming threat of Invictus. As the group becomes separated, Avocato leads a team into a cave where they encounter agiantsuited alien named Stan who reveals the poisonous nature of Final Space.

When the Lord Commander ambushes Avocato's group, he attempts to torture answers about Mooncake's whereabouts from them. Though Avocato is forced to reveal the painful truth of his betrayal of Ventrexia, the Lord Commander ultimately takes the group to Invictus' lair to be possessed.

Avocato's character arc is one of redemption, as he navigates the consequences of his past actions while fighting to protect his son and find a way to defeat the Lord Commander and Invictus once and for all.

Appearance

Avocato is a Ventrexian (an alien cat), an anthropomorphic feline. He has smooth, forest ocean (dark teal) fur with white facial markings and a crooked, upside-down triangular pink nose. His eyes are large with a rouged yellow color and small black pupils. He has a jagged tail.

For attire, Avocato wears boost, a grey belt with a silver buckle, greenish leggings, a tan vest, shoulder and knee pads, and a brown utility sash along with arm bracers.

Personality

Avocato is usually a serious and stoic character who can come across as cold at times. However, he does have a warmer side that is especially apparent when he is around his son and occasionally between him and Gary.

Avocato can be shown as cruel, as seen in the series when he watches fellow bounty hunter Terk die painfully from being tazed with a casual and almost annoyed look. However, he is also capable of being caring and helpful to the ones he trusts.

He feels extremely guilty for making Little Cato an orphan and tries his best to make it up to his son, even though he doesn't expect the younger Ventrexian to forgive him.

Relationships

'''Gary Goodspeed - Best Friend''': Avocato first met Gary when he boarded the Galaxy One to capture Mooncake. Their initial encounter involved Avocato being captured and forced to play cards for hours. Although Avocato saw Gary as immature and a hindrance at first, he grew to appreciate his kindness, bravery and loyalty. Their friendship deepened as Gary helped rescue Avocato's son Little Cato. Despite challenges, including Avocato's temporary possession by Invictus, their bond remained strong. '''Mooncake - Friend''': Avocato was initially set to capture Mooncake for the Lord Commander but grew fond of him after spending time with Gary. Mooncake and Avocato developed a mutual trust, with Mooncake even allowing Avocato to ride on his back. '''Quinn Ergon - Friend''': Avocato and Quinn, both skilled fighters, initially clashed but eventually developed a respectful friendship. Their relationship evolved from frequent disagreements to strong mutual respect. '''Little Cato - Adopted Son''': Avocato adopted Little Cato after finding him in the wreckage of his parents' ship. Despite the Lord Commander's attempts to manipulate Avocato, he deeply cared for Little Cato. After being revived and regaining his memory, Avocato and Little Cato's bond strengthened, though they faced emotional challenges due to Avocato's dark past and temporary possession by Invictus. Little Cato's reaction to the truth about his father was complex, but their love for each other was evident. '''KVN - Friend''': Avocato and KVN get along well, though Avocato occasionally shows annoyance. He treats KVN better than Gary does and acknowledges his contributions. '''H.U.E. - Friend''': Avocato communicates frequently with H.U.E. and asks for his help regularly, indicating a friendly relationship. '''Ash Graven - Former Friend/Enemy''': Initially Ash and Avocato worked well together. However, their relationship soured after Avocato's past actions were revealed, including killing Little Cato's parents. Ash viewed Avocato as a threat to Little Cato and confronted him, leading to a falling out. She eventually ejected Avocato and Gary from the ship. '''Fox - Friend''': Although Avocato initially distrusted Fox and had a rocky start with him, they eventually became friends. Their relationship improved as they worked together and Avocato respected Fox's actions, especially when Fox supported Avocato against the Lord Commander. '''Sheryl Goodspeed - Frenemy''': Avocato and Sheryl have a tumultuous relationship. Sheryl occasionally irritates Avocato, such as when she takes risky actions or leaves the group in challenging situations. Despite their friction, Sheryl's actions ultimately help the group, though she often tests Avocato's patience.

Trivia

Olan once joked about Avocato being 512 years old. Originally the character was going to stay dead due to the events of "Chapter 6". However, during the broadcast of the episode, Olan regretted killing the character. Wanting to bring back the character, Avocato was added in Season 2, returning in "The Remembered" and his whole character arc was planned. In "Chapter 5", upon returning to normal size and attacking several Infinity Guard soldiers, Avocato yells "I'm back, baby". This is likely a nod to Bender from Futurama, voiced by John DiMaggio who provides his voice to several miscellaneous characters in Final Space (including one of the Infinity Guards that Avocato attacks, and Terk). On April 12, 2018, at 8pm EST, TBS broadcasted live footage of a memorial for Avocato. It featured a large flame, candles, cards, pictures, and many other memorial related items. Avocato's name is a pun on the word "Avocato", which is a fruit. Coty Galloway also has a cat named Avocato. Avocato is a shout-out to the Red Dwarf character The Cat. Avocato has many attributes similar to that of an actual cat: ** Much like a real cat, Avocato can land on his feet, and according to Gary, he has a fondness for milk.

** Whenever he gets slapped in the face, he makes a "meow" sound like a real cat.

** He growls and hisses when angered.

** Avocato's tail puffs up whenever he is startled.

Personality Traits:

Avocato is a complex character with a multi-faceted personality. On the surface, he appears to be a serious, stoic, and even cruel individual, as evidenced by his indifference towards Terk's suffering or his initial coldness towards Gary. However, underneath this tough exterior lies a warmer, more caring side that emerges when he interacts with his son Little Cato and occasionally with Gary. This dual nature suggests that Avocato employs a defensive mechanism to protect himself from emotional vulnerability.

Motivations:

Avocato's primary motivation revolves around his deep sense of guilt and desire to atone for making Little Cato an orphan. This guilt drives him to try and make amends with his son, even though he doubts that Little Cato will ever forgive him. This internal conflict produces mixed feelings of remorse, desperation, and determination within Avocato, pushing him to go to great lengths to protect and provide for his son.

Past Trauma and Conflicts:

Avocato's past experiences, particularly his time serving as the Lord Commander's right-hand man, have left a significant mark on his psyche. The dark deeds he committed and the manipulation he endured have created a sense of emotional turmoil and disconnect within him. This past trauma contributes to his struggle to form meaningful relationships and his reluctance to fully open up to others, including his son.

Relationships and Social Interactions:

Avocato's relationships with other characters are complex, reflecting his inner conflicts and personality traits. His bond with Gary develops over time, evolving from initial hostility to a deep friendship built on mutual respect and shared experiences. With Little Cato, his relationship is defined by the desperate need to make amends and the difficulty in establishing trust. Other relationships, such as those with Quinn, H.U.E., and KVN, showcase Avocato's ability to form connections with others while still maintaining an air of detachment.

Emotional Vulnerability:

Despite his tough exterior, Avocato has moments of emotional vulnerability that surface in his interactions with Little Cato and Gary. These moments reveal the depth of his feelings and the extent of his emotional turmoil. When temporarily possessed by Invictus, Avocato's emotional state is amplified, as he struggles with his sense of self and his place in the world.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Given Avocato's past experiences as a soldier and the dark deeds he committed under the Lord Commander's orders, he may be suffering from PTSD. Symptoms such as emotional numbing, difficulty forming close relationships, and re-experiencing traumatic events through flashbacks or nightmares could indicate this disorder. Major Depressive Disorder: Avocato's deep sense of guilt, self-loathing, and feelings of unworthiness may point towards symptoms of major depressive disorder. His persistent low mood, loss of pleasure in activities, and feelings of despair could be indicative of this condition. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): The constant worry and rumination about his past actions and their impact on Little Cato, as well as the fear of losing his son or being unable to protect him, could suggest that Avocato is experiencing generalized anxiety disorder. Symptoms may include restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and muscle tension. Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD): Avocato's history of prolonged and repeated trauma, including the loss of his firstborn child, abandonment, and emotional abuse from the Lord Commander, may contribute to complex PTSD. Symptoms include those of PTSD but also emotional dysregulation, negative self-concept, and difficulties with relationships and self-esteem. Adjustment Disorder: The significant stressors in Avocato's life, such as the loss of his son, his dark past, and the challenges he faces in his relationship with Little Cato, may lead to an adjustment disorder. This condition is characterized by an inability to cope with a specific stressor, resulting in emotional and behavioral symptoms.

Anatomy and Structure:

Avocato has a streamlined, muscular build that is well-suited for agility and stealth, which is likely due to his background as a bounty hunter and soldier. His forest ocean (dark teal) fur provides excellent camouflage, allowing him to blend into various environments. The white facial markings and pink, crooked nose add to his distinctive appearance.

Sensory Abilities:

Avocato's large, rouged yellow eyes with small black pupils suggest exceptional vision, particularly in low-light conditions. This could be an adaptation from his home planet or a trait specific to the Ventrexian species. Additionally, his pointed ears likely provide enhanced hearing, enabling him to detect subtle sounds that other species might miss.

Physical Abilities:

Avocato's physiology grants him several unique abilities, such as:

Landing on his feet: Like real cats, Avocato can land on his feet from great heights. This ability is likely due to his lightweight build and flexible spine. Affinity for milk: Avocato, like his real-life feline counterparts, enjoys drinking milk. This could be a result of his species' nutritional needs or a cultural preference among Ventrexians. Emotional expressions: Avocato's physiology allows him to display feline-like emotions through vocalizations and body language. For instance, he meows when slapped in the face and growls or hisses when angered. Tail and Movement:

Avocato's jagged tail is a prominent feature of his physiology. It serves as an extension of his body, helping him maintain balance and communicate his emotions. When startled, his tail puffs up, mirroring the behavior of real cats.

Adaptability:

Avocato's physiology appears to be well-adapted to surviving in various environments, both on his home planet and in space. His attire, which includes boost, a grey belt, greenish leggings, a tan vest, shoulder and knee pads, and a brown utility sash, is practical and protective, suggesting he is prepared for combat and exploration.