He is a complete and utter jerk, but who on earth does not like Cid Highwind? Even those who dislike FFVII will not speak against him. Why is it that we find him so endearing? It is because, ultimately, he is a good person. Despite it all, he gave up his dream to save someone’s life. Visualise again. You’re in the cockpit and the countdown is getting closer to 0, to your destiny. “What am I…. what am I supposed to do?” is such an incredible line of dialogue. The cocky and confident test pilot reduced to this. Then the poignant “Oh man, outer space, the moon, my dreams….” hits home.
The grumpy and cranky Cid we all know and love… that’s not a curmudgeon, that is a broken man. His dreams have been shattered. It’s never stated in the game, but Cid has clearly experienced some form of depression.