MovieChat Forums > American Gothic (1995) Discussion > why did lucas kill some by force?

why did lucas kill some by force?

posted 14 years ago by putrescent_stench
2 replies | jump to latest

It always struck me as odd that Lucas killed Merlyn and Judith Temple with his own hands, when other times he is able to kill at a distance (electrocution, heart attack, causing an accident). Has anyone else thought of why this might have happened?

Also, I'm a little confused by the episode "Echo of My Last Goodbye," in which it is suggested that Judith Temple, Caleb's mother, was in love with Lucas, perhaps even obsessed with him. Yet he has to rape her to get a child? She could have been unwilling to making the love physical, but unless I missed it, this was not given as an explanation. I find it odd. Even if she hadn't loved him, he seems to have the power to "entrance" people, especially women, so why couldn't he have just seduced her that way?

The only plausible explanation I see is that somehow the Temples (perhaps on the maternal side) are resistant to Lucas' powers, which is perhaps why Lucas chose Judith; although Gail seems fairly susceptible (while at the same time openly defying him and getting away with it more than anyone else).

[–] ralpmg 13 years ago

I think he killed them by force because Caleb was his son and he wanted the family out of the way . He didnt care about they souls . The other people he kills he makes them turn towards the dark side ( they always do something bad )1st before killing them. Hes not intrested in they bodies but they souls . Not that he take there sould but he wants them to go to hell and not heaven .
The other question i really cant answer because i forget but maybe your right about that

[–] dragon_x 13 years ago

I'm a little confused by the episode "Echo of My Last Goodbye," in which it is suggested that Judith Temple, Caleb's mother, was in love with Lucas, perhaps even obsessed with him. Yet he has to rape her to get a child? She could have been unwilling to making the love physical, but unless I missed it, this was not given as an explanation.

Lucas told Ben he was right ... but there was that episode where Lucas went off the bridge with a former girl friend. When they first showed it, it appeared that Lucas intentionally drove the car through the guard rail and off the bridge - into the river.

However when he showed Gail, is was the obsessed girl friend that drove them off the bridge.

I would also wonder if he wouldnt want Caleb to know what - exactly - happened to his mother.

I find it odd. Even if she hadn't loved him, he seems to have the power to "entrance" people, especially women, so why couldn't he have just seduced her that way?

Maybe Mrs. Temple was the one woman he could not seduce (like you said) ... so that's why he 'chased' her.... The other thought is maybe Caleb's mother was really, really kinky (maybe this attracted Lucas).

I see is that somehow the Temples (perhaps on the maternal side) are resistant to Lucas' powers, which is perhaps why Lucas chose Judith; although Gail seems fairly susceptible (while at the same time openly defying him and getting away with it more than anyone else).

Merlyn was also defiant as well and while no direct blood line, she was a Temple and she could have killed Lucas. Also, Lucas could not touch her (much) ... and hand to get something else to deal with her, but that did not turn out exactly like he wanted (or maybe it did).

I find sometimes women love to hate.... then they love what they hate, which is why she tried to defy him and also why he was patient with her. Crazy I know, but this show is running at a higher level.