The Tao of Iceman -Part 2

The real conflict in the movie Top Gun never gets explored. My point requires a bit of set up. So here goes (spoiler alert if you are decades behind on you movie watching):

Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and Tom "Iceman" Kazanski are neck and neck in their quest for the coveted Top Gun trophy. Ice and Slider (his RIO) have a chance to pull ahead in the standings when they are assigned to fly a (training) mission with Maverick and Goose. Although Ice has the lead position, he cannot get the shot on the opposing force aircraft. He has to break off to let Maverick take the shot. In his frustration he cuts across Maverick's flight path causing the F-14's engine to flame out putting Maverick and Goose in a flat spin. They have no choice but to eject and abandon the aircraft. Because they are in a flat spin the canopy does not clear the aircraft and Goose is thrown into it breaking his neck. The fatality and crash result in and investigation and Maverick's aggressive flying style is under the microscope. Eventually he is cleared to fly, but must exorcise the demons of doubt and guilt. In the end he gets his confidence back, the girl and shoots down some Ruskies to boot. Maverick decides to become a Top Gun instructor. All is well that ends well.

The real conflict (and dare I say it... a better movie) might have been to examine how Iceman, who flew by the book and never made mistakes, let his ego get in the way of his philosophy as a pilot and a warrior. What lessons can we learn from his failure to stick to his core beliefs?

The Tao of the Iceman -Why isn't doing it right cool?
Part One

First, if you have not seen the movie Top Gun stop right here, rent it, watch it and start reading again here-> As you will no doubt recall, the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun starred Tom Cruise as a hot shot fighter pilot with a dangerous streak running through him. The audience learned that all naval aviators have call signs for names and Cruise's character is know as Maverick because, well... he is a maverick. Maverick's flying partner or "rear seat" (his Radar Intercept Officer or RIO in naval parlance) and best friend is called Goose.

By luck or fate Maverick and Goose are sent to the Navy's Fighter Weapon School, or as the pilots who attend call it Top Gun. There they meet their classmates who are the best of the best among Navy and Marine pilots. On the first day of class Mav wonders aloud who the best is. Fortunately for him and the audience Goose knows, "You wanted to know who the best is? That's him. Iceman. He flys ice cold. No mistakes. Wears you down. You get bored, do something stupid and he's got you."

A story is not a story without conflict thus, Maverick becomes a rival to top student Lieutenant Tom "Iceman" Kasansky (Val Kilmer)—who considers Maverick dangerous. It is an opinion Maverick crystallizes on his maiden flight at Top Gun by engaging a target below the hard deck and buzzing the tower at supersonic speed violating two of the school's safety rules. He and Goose are called in to the Commander's office for a talking to from 'the old man'.

Viper: Top Gun rules of engagement are written for your safety and for that of your team. They are not flexible, nor am I. Either obey them or you are history. Is that clear?

Iceman states his concerns a bit more pointedly: You're everyone's problem. That's because every time you go up in the air, you're unsafe. I don't like you because you're dangerous. Maverick, it's not your flying it's your attitude. The enemy is dangerous, but you're worse. You are dangerous and foolish.

So here is the question I'd like to explore. Why isn't Tom Kadansky the hero in this story? Why do we root for the Mavericks of the world instead of the Icemen?