Up to episode 13 on a rewatch of Cowboy Bebop. I didn't know about the "Astral Gate Accident" that wiped out 75% of the human race. That would explain why resources are so limited; most of the adults in the show are living in poverty and turn to crime (or, fighting crime via bounties. but this is a much less reliable source of income) to survive. Rocco couldn't afford his blind sisters operation in Waltz for Venus, so he stole from others to make ends meet. Katerina in Asteroid Blues smuggles drugs up her blouse in hopes of getting enough money to live a comfortable life.
This picture of her floating in space with the vials bursting from her womb is symbolic of her struggle between living a peaceful domestic lifestyle and engaging in illegal activity to make that lifestyle possible. Very fukked up, but very powerful.
Radical Edward is the only character in Bebop that doesn't have baggage and isn't depressed. Dramatically changes the tone of the ship after being introduced in episode 9. Appreciate how she (and Ein) add fun to an otherwise surly cast of adults who act like they can't stand one another.
There's a scene in Gateway Shuffle where an entire restaurant is shot up by some terrorist faction wearing gopher masks. Jet and Spike have nonchalant reactions as if that's the least fukked up thing they'd seen that week. Both are desensitized to murder, explains their attachment issues.
Jet cutting that bonsai tree too short is a clear allusion to Spike's life being in danger. He cut it short in the first Vincent meeting, IIRC he cuts it short in the final one. I'm interested in if he does it anywhere else in the series.