Discussion Post: Vigilantism

[gen-is-gone.livejournal.com]

So, the show has had quite a few would-be vigilantes over the years (A Real Rain and Hotch's actions in 100 coming most readily to mind) but specifically in regards to Regina in Unknown Subject, there were quite a few comments saying the Emily shouldn't have deceived her, and even some that said Regina should have been allowed to murder her rapist. While I agree that the Piano Man was a despicable person, and his crimes warranted his hatred, I found slightly off-putting the idea that one of our team members would condone revenge murders, especially given the past anti-vigilante themes on the show. So my question for you is this: what stance do you think the show has taken in regards to vigilantes and revenge killers, and do you agree?

Comments

[dhae_knight_1]

It was very obvious that it was the police who shot the brother, and BAU who tried to stop them. And I'll bet at least part of that was that convicting Mason would probably have been easier with his brother's testimony, and also because they understand that the brother probably didn't fully understand what he'd done, trusting and relying too much on his broter's brain.

Hightower shooting Mason was understandable, but a waste. No, maybe they wouldn't have gotten a conviction (although, they had the research notes and Mason's near-confession), but even if they hadn't, it's doubtful he would ever have found a killing partner again.

I think the Piano man case got it right. They stopped the victim from exacting her revenge because it was the right thing to do. For her. Kidnapping and torturing him is bad enough - but killing someone?

Sometimes I do wonder what all the action-movies where people get killed in droves does to our perception of what killing another human being in reality costs us. :-(

[citjara.livejournal.com]

I think it would've been possible to convict Mason on accomplice charges. It was pretty clear he was the mind of this team, as his brother probably wasn't even getting the difference of right and wrong (and these people can be lots harder to convict!).

Sometimes I do wonder what all the action-movies where people get killed in droves does to our perception of what killing another human being in reality costs us. :-(

Yes, yes, yes!! Often, revenge is portrayed to be right, to be a kind of closure. I'm not certain it is, because if you go through the process of dehumanizing another human being in order to kill them, you're twisting your own mind.