Would Bishop really have taken Steve Mckenna under his wing? It does seem a
bit unlikley if you think about it. If he wanted or needed a protege, wouldn't
he have found someone within the organization or someone who would be more
trustworthy than Steve. And finally wouldn't he make certain to check with
"THE MAN," first?
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Well, you saw Bishop's meeting with the (assumed) head of the Association. When he's questioned, Arthur asks the guy (sarcastically; well, as sarcastically as Charles Bronson is able) if he requires permission. He hadn't gotten "comfortable" with his success as a hit man, I don't think, but he probably thought he should have freedom to determine the way in which he'd like to work. Something to that effect.
shareBishop thought he was much more secure in his relationship with the Association than he was. Like his insistence on doing the final hit his way and taking Steve along.
Bishop respects Steve and feels a certain attraction to him. The attraction is mutual. Although Steve seems a partying wastrel he is smart, diligent, efficient, and a fast learner. And who can 'pick up the tab' of a life of total isolation.
But then again, if Steve felt a certain attraction to Bishop, why did he kill him? To prove to himself that he was tough enough to pick up the tab not only of "standing outside", but also of killing his friend?
shareAs Steve said, he saw Bishop's weakness. Bishop could not take the isolation. Steve can and when he realized that about Bishop he felt the need to prove that he could live up to Bishop's 'ideals' better than Bishop could.
shareI think that the relationship between Bishop and Steve McKenna is what makes "The Mechanic" such an interesting character study. The extreme lifestyles and philosophies of both of these men converging and playing out to tragic conclusions. Ultimately it was Bishop's isolation that unraveled him. It goes into the detail of his psyche in the novelization and reading it makes you feel the mental confinement of his isolation. His relationship with Steve was a way to feel in touch with his own life. Bishop even plays hardball with "The Man" after being told he'd violated the rules and upset "...a few of our associates". He continues to press his luck and assumes full responsibility for Steve's involvement with the Naples contract. His lonliness sealed his own fate and destiny.
shareYes. That is one very plausible way to explain it. However, in your other post you assumed that this hit was ordered by the "Organisation" to remove the unreliable Bishop. That is another possible way to look at it. I've been stuck with exactly the same two options, take a look at my earlier post http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068931/board/nest/62610049.
Now, which version do you consider more likely? I'm leaning towards the first explanation because it makes more sense with the film's ending and gives the story more psychological depth. On the other hand, it raises the question why the file found in McKenna's desk looked exactly like the files sent to Bishop. Does the novelization say anything about it?
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I think that the organization wanted both Bishop and Steve McKenna killed off because of the sloppy hit, Bishop's involving Steve as his protege without getting clearance first(plus the fact that Bishop had recently eliminated Harry McKenna for the organization made for possible future problems)and because Steve was now in on the day to day of this discreet organization and its partners.
The novelization makes no mention of the fact that the file on Bishop found at Steve's house looked exactly like the ones that Bishop regularly received.
There is one passage of conversation between Bishop and Steve not included in the movie that takes place in the book. Steve has just poisoned Bishop and has told him so. Bishop responds:
"They'll...they'll get you..."
Steve smiled and shook his head."Maybe this'll buy me out with them."
It goes on and Bishop reveals to Steve that he is aware of the file by telling Steve that an important piece of medical information has been left out of the file. Steve responds: "You knew about my file?" This implies to me that this was a file that Steve had made on his own (Bishop had trained Steve earlier in the book on how to do a complete "work-up" on a potential mark.) The rest of the novel plays out pretty much as the film does. So I think that Steve killed Bishop on his own, however he also got fatally snared into his fate by becoming involved with Bishop and his desparate attempt for Steve's companionship.
Thanks for the info. That was quite interesting.
shareI also came to the conclusion that Steve killed Aurthur on his own, outside of The Organization. I think he did it to make his bones or reputation in the underground world of paid hitmen. Revenging his father's murder was a surprise side benefit.
No two persons ever watch the same movie.share