What struck me about this episode wasn't the suspicion surrounding Mr. S as a suspect because by the end it seems pretty clear that although strange, his story is plausible, but Det. Ritz and Det. Macgillivary’s certainty that Adnan had done it. Sarah explains how she called the detectives and despite speaking to both of them about an interview for the podcast they both declined, asking “what good would it do?” Det. Macgillivary even goes on to declare, “Beyond question [Adnan] did it.” How could these two men be so certain in their assertions, when the case is still shrouded in so much mystery?
I am taking a class in persuasion this semester, and we just read about the concept of consistency. Essentially, people have the tendency to stick to their decisions, especially if those decisions were disclosed publically. Robert B. Cialdini, a prominent psychologist, even claims that it doesn't matter if the decision that people make is wrong, they add their own new reasons and justifications to support the decisions they've already made. This point made me think of the two detectives working Adnan’s case. How were they so certain, yet so unwilling to comment on their findings for the serial podcast? I am not saying that they think they are wrong, but it is strange that they wouldn't want to elaborate on their statement that Adnan was guilty.
In addition, although Mr. S’s story is important, as he was the one to discover the body, it doesn't exactly further the story along. It highlights how circumstantial all of the evidence they have found it but doesn't really open up any new avenues of suspicion. Therefore, it seems as though this episode is more focused on highlighting the oddity of this case, rather than introducing a possible new suspect.
I think what you said about people not changing their story is really true. My mom will always do that so that she seems authoritative so maybe it has to do with image and reputation and confidence and of course stubbornness. Do you think Adnan's lack of conviction in his story (how he changes his accounts several times) tells us the listener that he is lying about NOT killing Hae?
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