I'm hooked on this show, and I love the way the story is unrolling.
In E1, I thought it was a little out of character for Shepherd to spare Madison/Marcus on the beach. Was it because he hadn't fully grown into his bollocks yet, or maybe because he wasn't entirely sure that it was Marcus?
At any rate, I'm guessing he later regretted the decision.
I also took it that way. It seemed like Shepherd wasn't sure that Marcus had completely surfaced in Madison's body. So he decided to wait until the transformation was complete.
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Just watched Ep5, and now I'm wondering just exactly what is going on with Shepherd's inability to shoot Marcus/Madison. This time played out just like on the beach, with Marcus (or was it Madison?) begging for mercy, causing Shepherd to hesitate long enough for him (her?) to get away.
So what's going on? Is the pitiful little girl routine Marcus pushing Shepherd's buttons, or is it really Madison coming through?
And why can't Shepherd pull the trigger? Does he draw the line at kids, or is it Madison's continued presence that's stopping him?
On the beach, I think it was really Madison. In the house I think it was Marcus playing Shepherd. I think Shepherd would have pulled the trigger with a little more time, but who wouldn't hesitate when faced with shooting a 9 year old?
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Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.
His first hesitation on the beach I could understand, because I truly think he wasn't sure if Marcus had "woken up" and taken control yet. The second time was just plain ridiculous and done specifically by the writers to keep the Madison/Marcus character in the show. Richard knew Marcus had to be in control at least most of the time, or how else would he have known (and been correct) to check Marcus' former house of horrors?
I think it's a crappy plot device for Richard's character, especially as seeing how he's shown little regard for killing other young people, re: Bill Anderson's son in the pilot episode.
I wonder if his hesitation the second time has more to do with him doubting The Nine or Qui Reverti more than anything else, and perhaps considering that it may be better to let Marcus take them down. Especially after the doubts he expressed to Frank and then subsequently killing him.
We know Marcus gave him money, perhaps Marcus also made other promises, like exposing the secrets of resurrection to the world so everyone can access it.
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Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.
I think he draws the line at kids. We're starting to see a faint glimmer of humanity to Richard Shepherd so this makes sense. It may be possible that he might have a kid of his own, somewhere.
shareMy Theory:
His daughter or niece died young.
Shepherd said to his mentor in the last ep, something like, "I was a mess when you found me. You turned my life around."
The other possibility is he was involved in a kid's death (Ex: Firemen watch a little girl beg to be saved and gets consumed by flames right before his eyes.)
I like those theories, and I'd be shocked if we weren't treated to a little backstory on Richard especially considering he told Frank he was a mess prior to meeting him like you said. I for one am curious where this goes but I must admit I am a James Frain fan.
shareIntruders is a great show but I feel it is an inaccurate observation of Richard Shepherd's character to say his inability to shoot or that he hasn't grown into his bollocks yet. It is very clear that he is able to shoot without hesitation on Bill Anderson's wife and with regret on Bill's child in the first episode. Think of it this way...would you not be conflicted about shooting an 8 year old girl? Yes, Marcus is her second soul but this scene reveals something interesting and deeper about Shepherd's character than preceding scenes...he has a conscience after all. It would be one dimensional if he was a stone cold psychopath simply assassinating characters without going deeper into the character and it wouldn't be very interesting if the show didn't. However, the last episode Shepherd takes aim without hesitation at Marcus in Madison's body because as he admits to Rose later on 'it was hard to see Marcus behind the little girl'. Shepherd did reveal he thought Marcus wouldn't be much of a threat if placed in a child's body but as we soon found out that wasn't so...he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.
shareI thought it was good that he spared her, it showed he wasn't a robot and had some morals and human feelings. Shooting a frightened child is probably where he drew the line.
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