Fat Thor (Chris Hemsworth) was eventually convinced to join the time heist in Avengers: Endgame by Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper) — but only after Smart Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) tried first and failed. It may seem strange that the bristly Rocket managed to get through to Thor during his crisis; after all, Bruce Banner is a more obviously sympathetic person, and he has a much longer history in the MCU with the former king of Asgard. However, this isn't a plot hole, but rather a clever turn of events based on character motivation. Like how Tony preventing Thor from doing the snap in Endgame makes sense in light of Thor's emotional state, Professor Hulk's failure to appeal to Thor through logic is believable in the context of the scene.

When audiences first see Thor after the five-year time jump, the (former) Avenger is in a dramatically different state: both emotionally and physically. Traumatized by the events of Avengers: Infinity WarThor withdrew from the world around him and fell into a deep depression. When Rocket and Hulk locate him, he is in a secluded cabin, surrounded by filth, playing video games with the aliens Korg and Miek (characters introduced in Thor: Ragnarok). Physically, Thor has changed dramatically: not only had he gained a significant amount of weight in those five years, but — more distressingly — his filthy appearance suggests he either lost the will or ability to perform self-care.

Related: Every Avenger Who Is Still Active As A Superhero After Endgame

Although Rocket and Hulk's reaction to seeing Fat Thor is played for laughs in Endgame, it also serves the narrative purpose of signaling Thor's declining mental health. In a short time, the scene establishes where Thor is emotionally and sets up his arc for the rest of the movie. Thor isn't coping with what happened — that's why he's isolated himself in a cabin — and he needs to come to grips with his experiences. Professor Hulk is in a vastly different place, and he isn't able to relate to Thor on his level; however, Rocket, who has much more experience dealing with people in this state, knows what to do.

Smart Hulk Doesn't Understand What Fat Thor Needs

Fat Thor in Avengers Endgame

When Thor sees Rocket Raccoon and Professor Hulk, he is jubilant, offering them a warm embrace each and an (alcoholic) beverage. While Rocket reacts in his typical grumpy fashion (and gets in a barb or two), Hulk is visibly uncomfortable when he sees Thor, and that discomfort colors his approach to the situation. Rocket knows enough not to draw attention to the situation — even Tony Stark's "Lebowski" Fat Thor joke in Endgame is Iron Man's way of addressing the change without confronting Thor about his depression — but Hulk does the opposite. He takes a gentle approach, but in doing so, he directly addresses that something is wrong, which Thor is clearly incapable of confronting in his current state.

Smart Hulk tries repeatedly to recruit Thor for the time heist, but he lacks the emotional intelligence necessary to read and respond to Thor's reaction. When Hulk tries to appeal to him, he does so using reason and a slightly-condescending pep talk. His "I know you must be scared" comment, while well-meaning, is both patronizing and inappropriate for the moment. Thor isn't afraid — he's traumatized. The MCU hinted at Thor's PTSD before Endgame, and his tendency for emotional eating (turning to food and alcohol as a way to cope with negative feelings).

Related: Every Avenger Who Still Hasn't Been To Space

Thor isn't ready to listen to reason, and he tells Hulk as much: "I know you think I'm down here wallowing in my own self-pity, waiting to be rescued and saved — but I'm fine." Obviously, Thor isn't fine (underscored by his impulsive eating and drinking as he speaks), but he's not ready to face that yet — which is exactly why Hulk's tactics don't work. Professor Hulk's response, "we need you," again reflects that the Avenger lacks the interpersonal skills needed to recognize where Thor is emotionally and respond accordingly; Thor is overwhelmed by his feelings of being "unworthy" and ashamed of having let down so many people. Being told that the team "needs him" just pushes him further away.

Why Rocket Raccoon Gets Through To Fat Thor

Rocket Raccoon

Rocket Raccoon is the one who ultimately gets through to Thor — not by being overly gentle, or by giving a pep talk, but by meeting Thor on his level. Arms crossed and refusing to indulge Thor's self-pity, Rocket shrugs "we've got beer." Fundamentally, Rocket's approach works because he reaches Thor on his level: rather than try to appeal to Thor through reason or even obligation (which would only push him further away), Rocket opens the invitation but ultimately leaves it up to Thor. What's more, by offering beer, he comes across much less judgemental of Thor's lifestyle than Hulk does.

Thor's initial reaction to Rocket and Hulk is telling: by openly welcoming them, he indicates a desire to reconnect — hinting at his own loneliness. He clearly wants to be an Avenger again, on some level, but may not be capable of embracing that in his current state. Fat Thor acts like nothing is wrong, but he's smart enough, and self-aware enough, to know there's an issue. Rocket — who himself has a tragic history — is used to dealing with broken people: he knows that Thor will do the right thing, but he needs the right invitation. Fat Thor is too far gone to simply choose to be different, and him not feeling judged for his lifestyle is a key part of him accepting Rocket's offer.

Thor's overall story in Avengers: Endgame is meaningful; it resonated with many audience members and felt very real, despite being within a superhero fantasy story. By the movie's end, Thor wasn't back to his old self, but was on the right track. He only got to that point, however, thanks to Rocket Raccoon, who accompanied the God of Thunder to visit Asgard in the past. Fat Thor is similar to the Guardians of the Galaxy in general: unlike the Avengers — who are serious and typically represent the best Earth has to offer — the Guardians are a rag-tag team of misfits who are all dealing with their own personal trauma. Individually, they have their personal struggles — but as a community, they find strength together, coming together for a common cause — not unlike Thor's journey in Avengers: Endgame.

Next: Every Thor 4 & Guardians Reveal From Love & Thunder Set Photos