As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.
The novel
- Mac is a racist, sleazy jerk but he comes to befriend and care about the other guys in the ward in spite of himself. He looks after young Billy and when Ratched drives him to suicide, Mac tries to strangle her in rage for it.
- Mac even had a chance to escape but he stayed behind out of concern for Billy (in both the novel and the film).
The film
- In spite of making fun of Chief's American Indian heritage in their first meeting, Mac makes a genuine effort to befriend him and bring some joy into his life. Mac often tries to include Chief in games and social activities (such as teaching him to play basketball), rather than just ignoring him as everyone else seemed to do.
- Chief reciprocates Mac's efforts at friendship by protecting Mac from a sadistic orderly and by dropping his deaf+mute ruse for the first time to have a conversation.
- There's also an earlier hint at their growing friendship when Chief smiles after helping Mac escape from the asylum to go fishing.
- Candy and Billy slow-dancing at the Christmas party is quite sweet.
- Ditto Rose (the other sex worker) dancing with Martini and Fredrickson and Sefelt dancing together.
