Added To It XD - Tumblr Posts

Also, thought of this after posting XD.

Klaus doesn't exactly fit into Zapp's perceptions on manliness all the time. And while he won't attack when Klaus is behind the computer, holding his tea cups, and probably learned the hard way not to f%ck with Klaus's plants... Zapp still can't accept that Klaus is always a bit of a bad&ss no matter what he does.

Klaus on the other hand has a completely different set of ideals when it comes to manliness (in this context interchangeable with ballsy, gumption, confidence, courage). Klaus thinking just being comfortable in your own skin and being able to be yourself unapologetically is the epitome of manliness, Zapp sees it as never showing emotion, never acting on more feminine coded hobbies, and never admitting defeat/ inferiority.

And while they've never sat down and discussed those ideals, Zapp can tell a little the Klaus just doesn't fit into his perception on a surface level (in Klaus's downtime... and usually when Zapp launches an attack) he also refuses to admit that Klaus typically DOES fit into his overall perceptions.

regarding your rant:

the answer i want to give you as a Professional Overthinker who loves to analyze comedy relief characters is that zapp very clearly respects klaus and his abilities. he understands how intricate and difficult to control the brain grid technique is (as he points out in after that phantom ghost wagon and get the lockout) and knows that klaus' strength even without weapons is insane enough that he's confident that klaus can take down a series of relentless fighters without breaking a sweat. he very clearly admires klaus and his fighting skills, so i think that he might see besting klaus in a fight as a way to prove himself and his own strength. it might tie back to the way zapp was taught his own fighting style; raju is notoriously brutal to his students, so zapp would have a reason to want to prove himself.

with all that said, the real answer for why zapp constantly tries to fight klaus is probably just because zapp getting his ass kicked is funny and they needed a lead-in for the fighting ring episode.

(apologies for rambling in your inbox i just like talking about zapp ;;)

Ramble away, I love a good discussion <3

Personally I think Zapp first met Klaus through Klaus saving his life and absolutely HATES that fact. Both being indebted to Klaus and that his introduction was so bad&ss only for Klaus to turn around and be so very soft as an individual in his personal life (with gardening and baking etc.)

While it was good set up for S1 Ep7, it still makes no real sense unless Zapp actually gets the chance and then chickens out at the last second. (Maybe some big moment where he finally admits to respecting Klaus and recognizing that they need him as a whole and maybe that his constant attacks were just making sure the gardener he worked for was still a bad&ss even in his down time).

But I do agree that Raju's brutal training very likely has something to do with it, and possibly...(more head cannon territory) his upbringing under a single mom and feeling like if he can't do for himself then he's just a burden (deep seated trauma? In my comic relief character? ...its more likely than you think.)