MovieChat Forums > Shooter (2016) Discussion > Sizemores CIA Plan?

Sizemores CIA Plan?

posted 8 years ago by nichtfreundlich
5 replies | jump to latest

Maybe I am missing something, but the whole bit with Sizemore and Epps went above my head.
Sizemore underhandedly wants HVT as a secret prisoner instead of capturing or killing him officially so they can extract intel. I got that, fine.

But then it turns into a complete disaster, if Epps had "controlled" swagger correctly as Sizemore apparently wanted Epps would be dead and Swagger would be as well, and there wouldn't have been a talk between Sizemore and Epps afterwards about Epps failing to see the big picture?

That whole bit didn't seem logical to me? I mean, if the plan had been designed to just take out Swagger for some reason and get Epps out alive, okay. But if the scenario had played out, both would be dead. Swagger would be in pieces and Epps had his throat cut.

Am I missing something?

[–] jpkrunch 8 years ago

Yes, it was very confusing. The CIA plan was apparently to let Epps get beheaded or similar on camera. Sizemore was pissed when Swagger intervened. You could see the look on his face when Epps was rescued. But then he gives Epps this stupid lecture about sitting at the big boy table. Um, Epps should have killed or at least brutally beaten Sizemore b/c he would be dead if Swagger followed his plan. He can't see that Sizemore set him up?

I would say my memory is not what it used to be. But I don't remember what my memory used to be.

[–] astarte401 8 years ago

Same here. I came here to see if anyone knew what was going on with Meachum (Sizemore's character).

I mean, I know it's sinister but wotthehell is it?

I can't tell who's on what side either. Just color me confused.

[–] true80 8 years ago

I think the plan went to hell because they weren't expecting that one soldier to turn coat. The CIA guy was pissed because his potential asset got killed. That's all he cared about. I guess he figured he would've been able to capture him somewhere else down the road. The rest of the conversation about the "big boy table" was just posturing. I think the conversation would've made more sense if Isaac had called him out for his plan sucking.

[–] dngn_rdr 8 years ago

I just don't get how Epps character is so dumb as to not see he would have been dead if Swagger hadn't deviated and Sizemore was just playing him. And someone had to have tipped them off to the grain silo location.

[–] aGuiltySoul 8 years ago

I noticed all that at the time and posted a comment about it. My comment was something to the effect of, "Who does Meecham think he's fooling?"

What makes you think Isaac Johnson doesn't clearly understand what his personal outcome would have been? Does he sanction Swagger in any way for disobeying direct orders for the second time? He could have. But how do you write up a soldier who saved your life?

I think the point is that as an officer in charge of troops Johnson also understands there is more going on than he is being made aware. Meecham is flimflamming him to make it look like there was a higher purpose as opposed to just his own personal plans. But I get the impression it's not the first time Johnson has confronted a military outsider trying to call the shots.

BTW, I think Meecham was selling Swagger for his bounty money. After they think Swagger has been killed Meecham's cohorts decide they can go further. But when Swagger outsmarts them and kills Meecham's co-conspirators, he knows he's lost his bounty.

Omar Epps is playing Johnson as someone who keeps much of what he thinks and feels to himself. EXCELLENTLY done. Perfect casting. And I hope to see much of him in season 2.

It's not what a movie is about, it's how it is about it.
RIP Roger Ebert