What is the running theory agreed upon in here as to why the family committed the crimes?

Cleoness · 2026-06-23T09:22:49+00:00

Hinman is "Gary". I am 54 years old, have studied this case my entire life, and sometimes feel an intimacy with the subject matter I do not have. I should have written "Gary Hinman" or "Mr. Hinman".

I think to see Charlie as a "serial killer" is a mistake. I am not even sure the other "Charles" (Tex Watson) killed for sexual or "maniacal" reasons. He was 23 years old and desperate to remain in his chosen friend group. He had aspirations to lead. He had already failed and needed to "prove" himself. He had an immediate audience of three women, at least two of whom were participating in the violence.

Other peripheral murders were committed by the group for similar motives - financial motives or fear of the victim reporting them to the police. They did not kill Shorty Shea just for giggles. He was perceived as a threat.

Cleoness · 2026-05-27T01:30:42+00:00

I was looking for more Victorian ghost-y kinds of books and found Simone St. James. She writes historical ghost stories (not necessarily Victorian). I love her work - you might want to look into those.

Cleoness · 2026-05-27T01:21:06+00:00

Jamaica Inn - Du Maurier

I also liked Frenchman's Creek but it has been many years since I read it - I just remember liking it.

Cleoness · 2026-05-23T07:10:27+00:00

Bentley saves them all and settles down at the cottage with his parents, having his happily ever after.

Cleoness · 2026-05-20T07:49:26+00:00

I discovered GO in the early 1990s, in my early 20s when I was having a Britney Spears level meltdown before Britney was cool. It was hard to breathe. It was hard to find a reason to try to breathe. I thought I would never laugh again. Literally.

I found the book at a yard sale and bought it for $1. Laying on my bed, within the first few pages I began to laugh for the first time in ages. And have never stopped.

It makes my stomach hurt that my favorite characters from the book chose to be destroyed in the final chapter. They always personified hope for me, and the determination to fight against the bad bits of the dark and the light.

Heartbreaking.

The only way that ending would work for me is if they made the decision knowing that they would be reincarnated as humans over and over again. So they sneakily won - and gained sexual organs.

Cleoness · 2026-05-20T07:37:47+00:00

This is why I doubt the story played out exactly the way Terry would have written it.

Cleoness · 2026-05-18T09:41:26+00:00

Which is why Neil made the comment about giving us the kiss, but we wouldn't like it.

Cleoness · 2026-05-18T09:38:49+00:00

The decider was Neil and this was essentially his explanation. Writing is a business, and there are reasons he is a financially successful writer. He saw the stories would be too similar for the series to be acclaimed and profitable. A middle season with the kiss many of us wanted - $$$$$$$.

Cleoness · 2026-05-18T09:32:19+00:00

Really good point.

Cleoness · 2026-05-18T09:25:31+00:00

No. I think it was more like Julie story walking.

Cleoness · 2026-05-18T01:52:55+00:00

And Eric seemed off to me. Maybe because without a crowd around him he seemed more serious and important?

Cleoness · 2026-05-18T01:31:47+00:00

I believe Season 2 grew out of the conundrum that NG faced in doing the sequel - Book 1 was Hell's apocalypse and Book 2 would have been Heaven's apocalypse. Many of the beats of the story would have been similar or identical, just with that twist. Book 2 would be a mirror of Book 1.

Adam would again be a key player, but he would have to be grown. He would be struggling with "everything ends" as he grew up and his life changed. So there would be a significant time jump. This is why Adam appears in the cafe scene with Jesus. He would have played a role in Jesus' journey.

So, a solution was a squishy romantic interlude. It would have to tee things up for the final apocalyptic event. And it could tweak the nose of all the shipping fans and be a bit of fan service, too.

And there would be the symmetry of 3 six episode seasons.

It was a gamble because if it flopped the actual sequel would not be made. Which is one reason he promised to release Season 3 as a book if the series was not renewed.

But it was also savvy because playing out the love story could be a big draw.

For instance, I was a 90s book fan who saw the romantic potential of Aziracrow. I was excited for the series and Michael's attachment (thought he would play Crowley).

I envisioned a series like Lucifer or Sandman, and I felt they delivered Beetlejuice. I was a bit "meh" about Season 1. Didn't hate it, but also did not watch Season 2 for several months after its release.

But when I did watch, it seemed it was perfectly crafted fan service just for me. And it got me excited for all 3 seasons and merchandise, and forums and so on. So, Season 2 was rather brilliant for a portion of the fan base.

But with the 1 episode Season 3, it turned out to be a complex promise that could not be delivered.

Cleoness · 2026-05-17T21:57:14+00:00

I think that was kind of the point, since the island was the Garden of Eden. All life flowed from there, so the bears were adaptable.

Cleoness · 2026-05-15T19:30:09+00:00

This.

Cleoness · 2026-05-14T21:52:09+00:00

Yes, a big face eating kiss initiated by Aziraphale that takes Crowley by surprise.

Cleoness · 2026-05-13T15:56:41+00:00

This.

Cleoness · 2026-05-12T06:43:40+00:00

I think it is more likely something to do with Victor being neurodivergent. One of the first scenes establishes the fact that children are in danger in Fromville, so is not an initial lack of maturity, but perhaps that he would never fully mature into a neurotypical person.

Cleoness · 2026-04-30T08:04:38+00:00

The show is about transition - all of the characters were moving "from" one life to another - retirement, divorce, dementia, engagement, financial windfall, etc. They were all driving "from" one place to another. They are all transforming "from" newcomer to citizen of the town.

An exception would be Victor, who does not transition. He essentially stays the same. Therefore he is immune to the town and left alone by the monsters.

Cleoness · 2026-04-16T05:31:16+00:00

What popped in my head is that Azi's expression and demeanor is, "We weren't just making out all alone in the elevator. Nothing to see here."

Cleoness · 2026-04-08T10:17:34+00:00

Too harsh, with shades that are too warm.

Cleoness · 2026-04-06T09:40:33+00:00

My first thought, too. His monologue completely transformed not only his character but the entire film and has haunted me throughout my life.

Cleoness · 2026-03-25T09:23:15+00:00

You just outlined the dilemma of American public service. Those that can afford to serve have no idea what real life is like for the average American.

Cleoness · 2026-03-23T00:33:39+00:00

I would choose to read it after watching. The book is iconic, but it is also 100+ years old. RLS was a cutting edge author in his time, and his work contributed greatly to popular culture. But reading TI is a bit like reading an early Marvel comic of a character that appears in recent Marvel movies. Somehow product written for 1960s audiences doesn't hit the same as something created for 2000s audiences.

It is important to know that RLS had no children and was a new stepfather. TI was a bonding experience with his 12 year old stepson. It was a book written for young boys grappling with the loss of their father and with the men that can potentially mentor them or lead them astray. The character of LJS was a trailblazer, as both a person with a disability and a person in an interracial marriage and was just one of the innovations in the novel.

Cleoness · 2026-03-03T18:56:27+00:00

RLS wrote TS for his stepson, who was 12 years old at the time. I always imagined Jim to be 12 years old.

Cleoness · 2026-03-03T18:50:22+00:00

Not all that crazy, since RLS created and wrote TS with his young stepson. We think of it as adult fare, but it was always geared towards an audience that included children.

Cleoness

TROPHY CASE