Rickon is a fool, not a villain, I propose. He is verbally skilled (sort of) but really just a puppydog who wants his writing validated. That’s very easy for anyone who has tried the creative life to understand.

For that reason, I find him sympathetic yet pitiable. He may very well be used as the tool he is by Lumon. But the whole time he will believe it’s the best thing. A schmuck, not a mastermind.