In Vanessa’s dossier, Gabe makes a startling discovery: she shares the same birthday as his late wife. This coincidence strikes him deeply, as the connection between individuals who share birthdays is a commonly held belief. For Gabe, however, this association carries a profound personal weight, given that the woman he’s tasked with stopping shares the same birthday as the love of his life.
Though it may seem exaggerated, likening this to a pivotal moment in a superhero film—such as when Batman hesitates to harm Superman upon hearing the name “Martha”—helps to illustrate the intensity of Gabe’s emotions. Both instances stem from a deep-rooted sentiment: love. Gabe’s eventual surrender to his feelings was inevitable, especially considering Arnold’s reckless actions, which clashed with Gabe’s instinct to protect lives—a duty he adopted after his wife’s passing.
It’s possible that Gabe’s motivations stem from a sense of purposelessness after losing his wife to cancer. Choosing to dedicate himself to protection was a way to honor her memory, yet he yearned for a reaffirmation of his identity. Vanessa becomes that sign, symbolized by his decision to entrust her with his wife’s necklace. While in his possession, the necklace served as a reminder of his duty, but now, in Vanessa’s care, it finds its rightful place, signifying acceptance of truth and release from pain.
Ultimately, Gabe finds closure by scattering his wife’s ashes in Africa, fulfilling a promise made to her. This act represents a final embrace of the truth and a letting go of past burdens, allowing him to move forward while preserving the memory of his beloved wife.