Easily the most I've been scared for Hughie in a long time.

I have a theory. I don't think JDM's character is alive. I think he is someone Butcher knew in his past, a real person who died and he's the devil on Butcher's shoulder in contrast to Becca's angel on his shoulder. Becca is pushing him to SAVE Ryan, while Kessler keeps pushing him to complete his vengeance against Homelander/Vought, even at Ryan's expense - to USE Ryan to achieve it. No one else has spoken to Kessler or interacted with him at all. He just seems to turn up where Butcher is. I think he's also dead, like Becca. LOL EDIT - I wrote this comment about halfway through watching your reaction, then heard your theory at the end - PERFECT

I don't trust Hughie's mom at all