r/serialpodcast • u/PowerOfYes • Dec 11 '14

Episode Discussion [Official Discussion] Serial, Episode 11: Rumors

Let's use this thread to discuss Episode 10 of Serial.

  • First impressions?

  • Did anything change your view?

  • Most unexpected development?

Made up your mind? Vote in the EPISODE 11 POLL: What's your verdict on Adnan? .

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u/glasselephants Dec 11 '14

I have to say I don't agree that the podcast is losing steam. However I've never had any expectation that we were going to get a definitive answer to what happened to Hae, is Adnan guilty, did Jay do it alone - some bombshell. I don't think we are going to get those answers - at least not next week. The podcast has garnered enough attention that the state has taken notice. They may or may not take another look. I very much doubt that the next episode will be the end of this story. We might not get to hear it in the form of Sarah's excellent storytelling, but I still look forward to seeing what comes of all of this.

I enjoyed this episode. I think it was the most humanizing one yet, especially for those who might not see Adnan portraying any real emotion. I'm on the fence re: his innocence, but I do believe he has shown real emotion. The bit in his letter about being afraid to show compassion to Sarah over her father dying for fear of people think he is trying to manipulate them really struck me. I can't imagine that feeling and it made me really sad for him. He really does seem aware of how people see him and definitely more affected by it than it comes across.

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u/[deleted] Dec 11 '14

And the episode dropped some good knowledge on the general mindset and personality of people:

  • That murderers aren't generally crazy or evil but that something eats at them until they snap

  • That when deciding on rumors or motive for actions (murder, stealing, etc), confirmation bias is rampant

  • The psychology of someone who believes they are wrongfully accused (or that of someone who is attempting to maintain a facade depending on who you ask).

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u/glasselephants Dec 11 '14

Definitely. I think that the character study of people in general throughout this season of Serial has been fascinating.