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Somerset could've easily stopped Mills from killing Doe

posted 3 years ago by MikeHunt12345 (936)
17 replies | jump to latest

Remember, Mills never saw inside the box. So Somerset could've said something like this: "I swear to god that's not Tracy. She's white, the woman in that box is black. Doe must've seen her near your apartment, and thought she was your wife."

Of course that's not very plausible, but it would've made Mills very confused, he would've been unable to do anything other than stand there wondering what's going on. This would've given Somerset enough time to grab Doe, drag him to the car, and drive away.

[–] PaladinNJ (21629) 3 years ago

Wasn't Somerset as much in shock as Mills was? I don't think he would have been able to rationalize a plan like that in time to stop the outcome.

[–] StinkyPoopyPants (3156) 2 years ago

I just watched this again and was thinking the same thing. Why didn't he just lie and convince him it wasn't his wife. It would have been incredibly cruel though because he'd get his hopes up only to have to devastate him later. I'm not sure which would have been the better choice 😥

[–] Heisenberg (6730) 2 years ago

He just needed to say "he will get the chair. Don't waste your life. Don't let him go that easily. Don't let him win."

What he says instead is the perfect phrasing to make Mills shoot.

[–] PaladinNJ (21629) a year ago

I would be surprised if he didn't end up covering for Mills.

[–] Heisenberg (6730) a year ago

Yes, that's clear.

But he DID fuck up with trying to stop him from making such a mistake:
He seems like he doesn't even try, like a fake friend who is also curious to watch you fail.
He doesn't have an easy job, but it is doable. At least, try your best, don't just say a few stupid words and wait for the young, stupid, impressionable and devastated guy who just lost his wife make the situation even worse.

Somerset is a real fuckup in this movie. John Doe certainly found a great associate to deliver his plan.

[–] StinkyPoopyPants (3156) a year ago

Well he does say "If you kill him, he will win." But honestly, Mills just found out that not only was his beloved wife killed and beheaded but that his baby that he had no idea about was dead too. I don't know that there would be anything, anyone could have said to stop him from killing John Doe.

[–] Heisenberg (6730) a year ago

The words are:
"he will get the chair. Don't waste your life. Don't let him go that easily. Don't let him win."

Key part: he WILL get the chair. Why waste YOUR life for this piece of shit but gain nothing?

[–] Melton (5042) a year ago

Depends if that state has the death penalty.

[–] Heisenberg (6730) a year ago

Ok, I guess that is the only real caveat to it.
You are right.

[–] StinkyPoopyPants (3156) a year ago

I still don't think it would have mattered. Poor Mills was gone at that point. Ugh, horrible ending. Now I want to go watch that movie again just because it is such a good movie, lol.

Anyway, maybe this will make you feel better:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5gw7ec4KyY

Enjoy! 😊

[–] Heisenberg (6730) a year ago

That is even more tragic!
1 he kills him for no good reason.
2 GP is not dead.

Thank God the real ending is not such a punch in the guts.

[–] ByTheVineyard (574) a year ago

Doe was already confessing his deeds, Somerset could have done nothing to stop Doe talking

It's a well made movie

[–] Druff (1825) a year ago

It's a fairy tale. Just let the writer tell his story and go along for the ride. Stop trying to fix everything so your little brain can handle it better.

[–] DavidM (886) a year ago

Other option was telling the SWATs in the helicopter to land and take Doe while he tries to distract Mills.

[–] spurtle467 (1553) a year ago

I don't think it was in Somerset's nature to tell a lie like that and I doubt such a lie would have been convincing enough to have worked anyway. John Doe is going to make sure his target is the right one. They know his attention to detail isn't going to lead to something as stupid as killing the wrong woman.

Only thing that could be done is to call for the back up to quickly come and de-escalate the situation while Somerset maybe makes more of a physical effort to get Mills not to fire the gun.

[–] Lakroy (4) 5 months ago

Because John Doe planned everything meticulously, I doubt Somerset could convincingly deceive Mills about the contents of the box. Doe got into Mills' head the very minute he let him live after the chase. Nothing Somerset could have said in that moment would have changed anything.

[–] TheEndIsNigh (476) 3 months ago

Somerset could've easily have stopped Tracy been killed.

The film makes it clear right from the outset that Somerset is like a chess player. Always analyzing every little detail and thinking methodically. Cut to the part of the film where they discover John Doe has been watching their every move and he conveniently becomes stupid instead of saying "We should send some cops to David's place, give Tracy protection around the clock".