It is really the arc in which he becomes Bond. He starts out just having earned his double-0 stripes and comes out at the end the Bond we know and love.

I really didn't see it as overshadowing me, ... He's been in the league so long. He's earned his stripes. I was a young cat coming up, doing the things I had to do to earn my stripes. I made my plays. As the years moved on, I earned my stripes. The fans knew who I was when I stepped on the field. When you play next to Ray, you have to do a lot of things to get noticed.

You have to earn your stripes here. So far, I've got half a stripe.

I hope you nail the bastard.”

So does he.

Through the Thou a person becomes I

I could tell real fast it wasn't going to be an argument. He pulls out a pipe and starts clobbering me over the head.