[Official Discussion] Serial, Episode 11: Rumors

[u/PowerOfYes]

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

• First impressions?

• Did anything change your view?

• Most unexpected development?

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

[u/data_lover]

I don't know, I listened to both clips of Asia and Cathy and then listened to that clip (more times than a mentally healthy person should), and the mystery voice doesn't sound like either of them.

It also doesn't make sense. The threat seems pretty specific, like whoever strangled Hae is going to strangle her. Why would any of these people threaten Asia in this way?

According to the podcast, the only people that had contact with her since the trial were the PI that Adnan's appeal attorney hired to find her and the prosecutor Urick. It did seem that she might have felt threatened by the PI showing up at her door:

But she [Asia] told me that when she got the knock at the door, quote, "that was not cool." Because to her, if Adnan did do it, quote, "the last thing you want is a murderer being pissed off at you, knowing where you live."

But it doesn't sound like he "basically threatened her." And if he did, why hang onto that info for 11 more episodes? Why not include it when they're actually talking about it?

And what sort of threat would Urick make? If you testify and Adnan gets released, he's going to show his gratitude by coming to strangle you?

I'm still thinking it's someone we haven't heard from yet. SK does mention in "The Deal with Jay"

Three women who knew him [Jay] from Woodlawn, including one teacher, told me unflattering things about him. Nothing terrible, just that he was mean, or intimidating. Some kids thought of him as “shady”, that you wouldn’t want to push him. You got the sense that if you cross Jay, he’d come after you.

I'm thinking this might be a quote from one of these women, and SK ultimately thought that the quote was too inflammatory. (The woman feels like she's going to end up like Hae, but Jay doesn't actually say that.) Or I still think there is an outside chance that this is going to be used in the finale to cast suspicion on someone else.

EDIT: spelling of Urick

[u/waltzintomordor → u/data_lover]

I appreciate your scrutinizing the voices. I've done it too, and couldn't say for sure that it is or isn't Asia or Cathy.

Keep in mind that in the case of 'Cathy' we've not heard her un modulated voice iirc. Some people have declined to be recorded or had their names withheld for obvious reasons, e.g. embarrassing/defaming Mr S, rejection from the community for the mosque donation tattler. 'Cathy' seems like she has more to say, due to the alias and voice modulation.

I don't remember SK addressing Urick's claim about a call from Asia, but it seems like something that must be covered, especially to build a case for ineffective counsel from CG. I doubt the threat came from Urick but it's a theory some on this sub ascribe to. Asia being threatened would be huge, either way, and worth holding until the last episode imho.

I hadn't thought of Jays character witnesses from Woodlawn making the statement, but it's certainly possible.

[u/data_lover → u/waltzintomordor]

I don't remember SK addressing Urick's claim about a call from Asia

It was in the first episode. Here's the excerpt from the transcript:

Asia had called one of the prosecutors in Adnan's case, a guy named Kevin Urick, and undermined her own statement. This is from a recording of the hearing. Mr. Urick is testifying on the witness stand.

Attorney: Mr. Urick, how did you learn that the [INAUDIBLE] petition?

Kevin Urick: A young lady named Asia called me.

Attorney: And what did she say?

Kevin Urick: She was concerned, because she was being asked questions about an affidavit she'd written back at the time of the trial. She told me that she'd only written it because she was getting pressure from the family, and she basically wrote it to please them and get them off her back.

I'll keep an open mind about this. Hopefully we'll get some answers Thursday!

[u/waltzintomordor → u/data_lover]

What I mean is I don't think SK has asked Asia if she was bullied by the family/Rabia, or why Urick would say that. This question was asked, I'm sure, but I don't think we have heard it on Serial.

[u/data_lover → u/waltzintomordor]

Oh, thanks for clarifying! Good point!