MovieChat Forums > Secrets and Lies (2015) Discussion > He IS dead and that's all there is to it...

He IS dead and that's all there is to it. spoiler

posted 10 years ago by DimlyGlowingEmber
17 replies | jump to latest

Since people in other threads are saying that Ben is still alive and they just need Natalie to get him out of Jail, because why else would they need to overturn the conviction. I figured I would explain in a separate thread.

Whether you are dead or alive, a conviction is a conviction. It remains, even in death.

Overturning not only clears his name and lets the world know that he didn't do it, but it allows them to then charge Abby with the crime.

Since he was convicted, the case has been closed. Exonerating him will re-open the case so they can then go after the real killer.

The dialogue in the epilogue is clear. Ben is indeed dead, as is the case with most incarcerated child killers. So please stop clinging to the hope that Ben is out there living his days behind a set of prison bars.

--
I won't keep you guessing, (formerly known as 'Ryners')

[–] illimattic 10 years ago

people take all this too seriously.......

A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.

[–] Harry_Bottom 10 years ago

Exactly. Ben is a fictional character. If the writers decide he is alive, he's alive. If they want him to be dead, they will clearly state that he is dead. So far, the writers have not given the viewers any definitive, canonical information on Ben's fate.

[–] timonsgirl 10 years ago

Ben is indeed dead, as is the case with most incarcerated child killers.

While I agree with most of what you said, this is absolutely not true. Child killers may get more rough treatment in jail but it's actually very rare for one of them to be killed by their fellow inmates. They really aren't any more likely to be killed by a fellow inmate than any other prisoner is.

One of the most famous child murderers, Joel Steinberg, not only didn't get killed in prison but some of the other inmates started a basketball league with him. He was paroled and walked out of prison a free man.

Phillip DeSelle was just released recently too and he, to this day, has never shown any remorse for brutally killing a little girl who was going door to door fundraising.

Sadly, quite a few child murderers eventually go free and very few of those that aren't sentenced to life without parole actually die in prison.

[–] gswan 10 years ago

Ben is indeed dead, as is the case with most incarcerated child killers.
While I agree with most of what you said, this is absolutely not true. Child killers may get more rough treatment in jail but it's actually very rare for one of them to be killed by their fellow inmates. They really aren't any more likely to be killed by a fellow inmate than any other prisoner is.

I too have felt highly skeptical by all these claims in all these threads that other prisoners always kill prisoners who are convicted of child-killing. Other than the anecdotal account below I have never heard of a child-killer being murdered.

I also suspect it is pedo-philes who are most at risk.

I told the story of Guy Paul Morin, a (falsely) convicted child-killer up here in Canada. The other prisoners were better judges of character than the law enforcement officials. He said the other prisoners could tell he was innocent, and he escaped retribution from them. He spent several years in prison before his appeals resulted in a second trial.

[–] watchkoreanmovies 10 years ago

What upset me was that now all the neighbourhood a-holes who suspected him were proven to be right, in their eyes :(

[–] bbfrmrp 10 years ago

Most child killers and molesters live in a special wing in jails because if they are put with the general population they get killed. I had a friend who killed a child in a drunk driving accident. He signed a weaver that said he wanted to go in with the general population. He was dead in 45 minutes in the yard.
It is weird I know that men kill other men for killing children but I don't know if women in jail kill other women for killing children.

[–] illimattic 10 years ago

Ben is indeed dead, as is the case with most incarcerated child killers.While I agree with most of what you said, this is absolutely not true. Child killers may get more rough treatment in jail but it's actually very rare for one of them to be killed by their fellow inmates. They really aren't any more likely to be killed by a fellow inmate than any other prisoner is.I too have felt highly skeptical by all these claims in all these threads that other prisoners always kill prisoners who are convicted of child-killing. Other than the anecdotal account below I have never heard of a child-killer being murdered.

I also suspect it is pedo-philes who are most at risk.

This is what I think as well! I don't know why people automatically assume Ben would be killed in prison.

A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.

[–] justbobkc 10 years ago

Here is a whole list of "children who killed other children" and none of them were killed in prison - in fact, it is almost scary how soon some of these "children" were actually released from prison. Just adds to the stupid ending of this series, actually. 😃

One of the most high-profile international cases of children killing another child involves the 1993 beating death of two-year-old James Bulger in the United Kingdom.

Jon Venables and his friend Robert Thompson were 10 years old when they lured the toddler away from a shopping centre in Bootle, Liverpool, and beat him to death by an isolated rail line.

Venables and Thompson were convicted of killing the two-year-old and received life sentences. They were released from prison in 2001 and given new names.

Venables was jailed again in 2010 after violating the terms of his contentious release. News reports said child pornography had been found on his computer.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/children-who-kill-children-6-high-profile-cases-1.1322603

[–] kevenzo 10 years ago

I think this sums it up that Ben is dead, "Ryan Phillippe Confirms He’s Not Returning To ‘Secrets And Lies’"

http://hollywoodlife.com/2015/05/04/secrets-and-lies-ryan-phillippe-not-returning-season-2/

[–] mmmm_Dean 10 years ago

Maybe the second season will be a whole new story, do we really need 10 episodes of Cornell trying to convict Abby?

[–] justbobkc 10 years ago

I agree - how many more "Secrets and Lies" can this family have? And their whole neighborhood has already been devastated. However, Christy and Abby could have moved to a NEW neighborhood and everyone there could have a whole new crop of S&L's.

But also, there could already be enough scenes with Ben (alternate endings) they COULD include him and this whole current csat in next season's first episode to really "finalize" this and maybe transition to next season's almost totally new case. Don't know if I would watch it though.

[–] kevenzo 10 years ago

Just came across this article, sounds like Julliete Lewis will be the only one returning, with a new cast and new story.

"‘Secrets And Lies’ Renewed For Season 2, Big Cast Changes Ahead"

http://www.inquisitr.com/2073962/secrets-and-lies-renewed-for-season-2-big-cast-changes-ahead/

[–] ellybendi 8 years ago

Bootle is not in Liverpool. It is a town by Liverpool.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] DarknessAngel 9 years ago

Yes, the way Natalie, Cornell and Dave spoke about him in the final webisode definitely made it sound like he was dead. For instance, they said that Ben *would have been* proud of Natalie for graduating. Why would they say that if he was still alive? Even if he was in prison he would still be proud of her. But I assumed that the reason for his death was that he had been sentenced to the death penalty, not that he had been killed by an inmate. And if he did get the death penalty, then I don't know how Christy could live with herself. Even if she naturally wanted to protect her daughter, how can she allow Ben to be wrongfully sentenced to not just prison, but death? And if Abby had any genuine empathy she wouldn't let her father take the blame for her like that - especially not the death penalty. As Abby is a minor she would receive a different sentencing, but Ben was an adult.

[–] cTitus924 9 years ago

suicide maybe?

 Women, can't live with em; So stuff your mother and live with that.(Bullet Tooth 504)

[–] lamont-hard 8 years ago

You Say.... For instance, they said that Ben *would have been* proud of Natalie for graduating. Why would they say that if he was still alive? Even if he was in prison he would still be proud of her.

It could mean he was not there to witness it. It could also mean they are not in contact with him although i doubt this. The death penalty takes years to implement in fact most take up to 5 to 10 years. I don't think he is dead, the boy was innocent, it just doesn't fit that she gets away with killing him with the new evidence the cop found.

It could be he committed suicide in order to further save his daughter. his son is dead because he didn't come clean...that would push anybody over the edge.

He IS dead and that's all there is to it. *spoiler*

He IS dead and that's all there is to it. spoiler