This show is so weird
Why was Nate holding a gun? What was the significance of showing that repeatedly
imo, the gun was to show how much of a coward nate is. he's only ever "tough" on folks he can physically impose himself on. against everyone else he folds, or manipulates someone else into doing his dirty work for him. he was never going to use that gun on maddy, or himself or cal because he's not built like that. imo, it was all for show, even if he doesnt understand it about himself. the same way he makes a show out of biting the tops off twist-top beers (i thought that's why they showed the beer next to the gun, but i could be reaching), some tough guy shyt that's actually ridiculous to anyone that knows a twist-top from a pry-off.
the same way he made a show out of bullying jules until she pulled a blade on his punk ass.
in that sense, he and cassie are perfect for each other. two people who like others to think they're crazy. really they're just selfish, manipulative, self-absorbed and badly damaged emotionally. they also run + hide when crazy is actually called for.
now ash... that little dude was actually crazy. no mercy, no fear.
imagine what he would have done with that gun if he had that kind of history with cal?