MovieChat Forums > The Departed (2006) Discussion > Why did Costigan use his real name while...

Why did Costigan use his real name while undercover, and not a fake ID?


Basically Costigan had to do enough jail time to convince the mob he was not a cop, because the Quinan could not conceal the fact that he was a police trainee, as Quinan said. And Costello and his men called him by his real name. He even turned to his cousin as part of his undercover method of operation.

But why not just have a fake ID and fake name? That way, no one would have known that Costigan went to police school at all. I mean don't most undercover cops take on fake identity's like Donnie Brasco, which was not the man's real identity?

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People knew him, there was no way they would not recognize him.





Can.You.Hear.Me?
Hell yes!

****

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Well him wanting to become a cop and not graduating though, is a huge red flag to the mob though.

Why not just bring in someone from out of town, who would not be recognized?

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Because he was exceptionally intelligent and Costello knew his family. Costello (French) roughed him up pretty good in the bar and after that he was convinced.

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Even though he roughed him up, you think he would have gone further, like shoot him in the leg or something.

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well, that would have been a hell of an initiation to the gang.

He gave him some money, possibly for a new cast. If he shoots him then, law enforcement gets involved. If not, more med bills associated with a GSW than with a new cast.

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Changing his name would have required them to come up with a whole personal history. Just like you mentioned in Donnie Brasco. He had to just keep hanging out at the same bar over and hope someone would notice him, trust him, throw him a bone, see that he was a good guy and all of that. By using his real name, "I knew his father, I liked his Uncle Jackie better." "I know you! I know your family," "your grandmother was nice to me when I was a kid" and all of that. Skips right over the try out phase and lends him neighborhood street cred.
THAT

And he was from that neighborhood. Walking around calling himself Paddy McPhee isn't gonna stop some guy he knew from yelling "Hey Costigan! Sorry to hear about your Mom! You're Aunt Marie told me." COVER BLOWN



~~~"Who do you think you're dealing with? Guess again."~~~

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Exactly. Instead of having to make up some elaborate cover, he can just play himself. The only thing he has to lie about is his affiliation with the police. The risk of that is less than trying to develop some huge backstory.

Costigan as himself is a very valuable asset in that case. He knows the neighborhood and all of the major players already. He knows how to act and how to fit in.

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His specific value to both the undercover team and the gang was his family connection.

I notice your English gets better when you want something.

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Among other reasons, because his family ties to organised crime were part of his 'way in'

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^this and they knew who he was. He couldn't use a different name when he was known around in the neighborhood.

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