1x14 Riding The Lightning: Episode Discussion Post

[ficdirectory.livejournal.com]

This is crossposted at crimeroundtable.

While rewatching today, I compiled some questions (with the help of my sister.) Feel free to answer any or all. Ask your own. Or just share your thoughts on an amazing episode.

Note: Some of these questions talk about sensitive issues (i.e. the death penalty.) Let's keep it respectful, please.

Happy discussing!


"Who so sheddeth man's blood by man shall his blood be shed." - Genesis 9:6
1a. Why do you think Gideon is the one who reads this quote? Do you agree or disagree with it? Why?
1b. Do you believe in an eye for an eye? What about the death penalty?

2. What do you think about Reid's comment about Sarah Jean's demeanor being like a war victim's?

3. Do you believe that Sarah Jean neglected her duty as a woman and thus was complicit in the deaths?


4. Have you ever physically protested anything? How do you feel about protestors?

5. Why do you think Jacob is obsessed with arches as a way to mark his victims' resting places?

6. How much of Sarah Jean's silence in the face of accusation do you feel has to do with Sarah Jean's mother, and her own silence (refusal to give interviews etc)?

7. How do you imagine Reid feels about Sarah's Jean's comment. ("You're a doctor. You're mother must be very proud of you.")

8. Do you think JJ's past (from a small town, athlete, losing her sister at a young age) affects her ability to keep her cool while with Jacob? How so?

9. How might Hotch's interrogation have been different had JJ not intervened?

10. How might the interrogation have proceeded if Garcia had stepped in instead of JJ?

11. Sarah Jean says, "We are all guilty of something. But it's our children who suffer for our sins, isn't it?" What are your thoughts on this?

12. What does Sarah Jean's last meal say about her? She remarks that "It came with a toy."

13. Sarah Jean seems to relate to Gideon as an equal, (a parent) and Reid, as a son. How do you think she might view Morgan and Garcia? Would she see any of herself in Garcia? Morgan? If so, what?

14. Hotch barges into Jacob's execution with a picture of Riley/Byron seeming righteously angry, which is uncharacteristic of him. Why do you think this case gets to him?

15. Gideon and Sarah Jean's last conversation is a series of questions to each other. Who do you side with?

16. Is Sarah Jean right to sacrifice herself to protect her son? Would your opinion shift or become stronger if Jacob was the one laying down his life for his son?

17. "If he knew who his parents were, can you imagine the legacy this would leave him? I am standing here because of choices I made. Don't let my son be Jacob's last vicim. Let me go. Let us both go." If you were Sarah Jean, would you make the same choice? Why or why not?

18. Do you agree that Riley/Byron would have been Jacob's last victim? Why or why not?

19. Would it have been right for Riley/Byron to have been told who she was in order to save her life? Why or why not?

20. Do you agree with Gideon's decision to honor Sarah Jean's wishes and thus allowing her death?

21. Genetics v. Environment: Where do you think Riley/Byron got his musical gift? From Jacob? Sarah Jean? Or his adopive parents? Why?

22. Do you think Gideon is too involved with the case when it is revealed that he's watching Riley/Byron play cello? Why or why not?

"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world, remains and is immortal." - Albert Pine
23. Do you think that Gideon is at peace with the outcome of this case, or do you think it still troubles him?

Comments

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

This episode annoys the hell out of me. Mainly because it is legally impossible, as far as I can tell. There are restrictions on when new evidence of innocence can be introduced, especially evidence that was available at time of trial and initial appeal. Since Sarah Jean is refusing to take any action, nobody else has any legal standing to take action for her. No judge in his right mind would order a stay even if they found Riley and brought him forth if she was not the driving force behind the appeal. And if it gets tossed into the governor's lap it becomes essentially a political question, and no governor in a death penalty state (ESPECIALLY Florida) who values his political career would show clemency to a woman in Sarah Jean's position.

I get so annoyed over the legal issues, I can't see my way through to the larger philosophical ones.

Capital punishment is an extremely important topic. I only wish that the writers had chosen a more plausible scenario.