Tear Jerker / Cars 2

If Paul Newman died, so does Doc.

• The scenes in which Doc is brought up
  • Then you remember his "they quit on me" speech, and realize that after Doc's comeback as a pit crew chief, the Piston Cup finally acknowledged him!
  • This can be particularly damaging to some viewers if they were looking forward to seeing how he and Lightning got along.
  • Finally, his (apparent) death in-universe was due to the real-life death of his voice actor, Paul Newman, almost three years prior to the film's release.
• Mater's goodbye letter to Lightning, telling how he doesn't wish to be a burden to him and that it's best for everyone if he went home. Lightning and the others are very saddened by this, and their reactions include Lightning regretting being so harsh to Mater, Luigi sobbing and Guido having tears in his eyes, on the verge of breaking down.
• Mater's Heroic BSoD in the climax, realizing how much of a nuisance he was to McQueen. That and his realization that McMissile actually thought he was deliberately being an idiot instead of just being Mater.
  • This culminates with Mater, wracked with guilt, finally admitting that he isn't a spy. Seeing Mater in such despair can be truly devastating.
  • This exchange.
  Mater: I don't know about this. What if I screw things up?
  McMissile: Impossible! Just apply the same level of dedication you've been using to play the idiot tow truck and you'll be fine.
  Mater: It's just that them guys look pretty tough and... Wait. Did you say idiot? Is that how you see me?
  McMissile: That's how everyone sees you. Isn't that the idea? I tell you, that's the genius of it. No one realizes they're being fooled because they're too busy laughing at the fool.
• It's brief, but when Mater regains consciousness at Big Bentley, he believes he's too late and McQueen has been killed already. Mater just sounds so broken at this point. Thankfully this is not the case.
• Mater trying to get away from Lightning towards the end. Lightning is spilling out his heart and trying to make up with his best friend and Mater is going at full speed to save Lightning's life even if it could mean being blown up himself by the bomb attached to his hood. Talk about loyalty.
• Likely to be unintentional, but seeing all the race cars race around Doc Hudson's little racing valley—with Doc not there—there was a pang there.
• Rod "Torque" Redline (voiced by Bruce Campbell) seemed like a cool guy and had lots of good one-liners even with his limited screentime, and gets killed in one of the most cruel ways possible.
  • Even worse is his guilt for endangering one of the very civilians he meant to protect.
• Finn seeing the mangled corpse of his partner, Leland.
• Lightning feeling upset that Mater caused him to lose the Tokyo race, culminating in something rather upsetting for Mater to even hear.
  Mater: Hey, McQueen! What happened? Is the race over? You won, right?
  Lightning: Mater, why were you yelling things at me while I was racing?!?
  Mater: Yelling? Oh, you thought... that's funny right there. Nah, see that's `cause I seen these two fellers doing some sort of rate street performance. It was nutso. One of them even had a flamethrower.
  Lightning: A flamethrower? What are you talking about? I don't understand, where were you?!
  Mater: Going to meet my date.
  Lightning: Your date?
  Mater: She started talkin' to me as a voice in my head, tellin' me where to go.
  Lightning: WHAT?!
  Mater: (finally notices Lightning's furious glare) Wait a minute. I didn't screw ya up, did I?
  Lightning: I LOST THE RACE BECAUSE OF YOU!
  Mater: Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.
  Lightning: An imaginary girlfriend?! Flamethrowers?! This is exactly why I don't bring you along to these things!
  Mater: Maybe if I, I don't know, talk to somebody and explained what happened, I could help.
  Lightning: I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP! I don't want your help!
  (Lighting drives off, but is stopped by the press)
  Reporter 1: McQueen, you had it in the bag!
  Reporter 2: What happened?
  Lightning: I-I made a mistake, but I can assure you, it won't happen again. (Mater slumps) Look, guys, we know what the problem is, and we've taken care of it!
  (Mater drives off in shame)
• Whatever positive feelings going through Lightning as he finishes first in the Italy race is immediately drained when he and Francesco realize they were the only cars to cross the finish line.
  Brent Mustangburger: Bumper as they approach the finish line... (Lightning just barely crosses the finish line before Francesco) ... McQueen's the winner! Francesco's second, and they have no idea what happened behind them!
  Francesco: (slams tire into the ground) Gah! This is impossible!
  Lightning: That's what I'm talking about! (flashes his front lights) Kachow! (As Lightning shines his light at Francesco, five ambulances rush past them) Wha— wh-what happened? Where are the other cars?
  Francesco: What is going on?
  (Lightning and Francesco look on in horror as they see the massive pileup broadcasted on the jumbotron)
  Lightning: Oh no...
  • The execution order for Lightning afterwards.
    • The cars murdered during the Japanese race, during Rod's own murder.