<![CDATA[Hypothetical Question (Spoilers obviously)]]>Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Silence of the Lambs

Someguy4321 — 5 years ago(April 16, 2020 09:32 AM)

Let's assume Buffalo Bill heard on the news or had an "inkling" the FBI were tracking him down and his days of terror were nearly over. In his haste Buffalo Bill uses Catherine Martin as an "insurance policy". Buffalo Bill drives Catherine Martin
to another location (. abandoned cabin in wooded-area or isolated underground room miles from his address) - only he knows this location and keeps Catherine Martin prisoner there. He knows he must keep her alive (. leaves her with food, water for a week) to negotiate a deal with the FBI.
Buffalo Bill is captured by the FBI 2 days later at his address like we see in the movie near the end and they take him in for questioning etc.
While the FBI are questioning Buffalo Bill they ask him "Where is Catherine Martin!"…..only Buffalo Bill knows where she is and knows she only has a week's supply of food, water etc. If Buffalo Bill said to the FBI "Catherine Martin has only a week to live on the supplies I left her with and I've one condition of my own!". Let's say Buffalo Bill requested the following:

  1. Safe passage to a country of his choosing (so that Buffalo Bill can disappear among the population) for safe release of Catherine Martin.
    The reason I ask this hypothetical question is because in movies I've heard the authorities say "We don't negotiate with criminals"…..
    I'm confused what the FBI will do because criminals/serial killers could try to manipulate the FBI as they see fit (. take hostages to use as leverage like in this instance). I'm sure the FBI would do everything they can to save Catherine Martin.
    Would the FBI honour Buffalo Bill's request and release him from custody to save Catherine Martin or not? Let's assume Catherine Martin is NOT the Senator's daughter and just "a regular person" so she won't get any special privileges for being the Senator's daughter!
    Any insights on this would be great!
]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/topic/212062/hypothetical-question-spoilers-obviouslyRSS for NodeThu, 14 May 2026 01:15:49 GMTFri, 01 May 2026 12:47:16 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Hypothetical Question (Spoilers obviously) on Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:26 GMT]]>MovieManCin2 — 5 years ago(December 11, 2020 05:01 AM)

No, they would
not
honor it.
MAGA! FAFO! 😎 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 😎 Dumbocraps: evil people who celebrate murder. 😠

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782434https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782434Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hypothetical Question (Spoilers obviously) on Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:25 GMT]]>MovieManCin2 — 5 years ago(December 11, 2020 11:01 AM)

So you did, Skippy!
MAGA! FAFO! 😎 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 😎 Dumbocraps: evil people who celebrate murder. 😠

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782433https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782433Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hypothetical Question (Spoilers obviously) on Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:24 GMT]]>Someguy4321 — 5 years ago(December 11, 2020 09:40 AM)

I replied because I wrote "Would the FBI
honour
Buffalo Bill's request" in my initial post.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782432https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782432Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hypothetical Question (Spoilers obviously) on Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:23 GMT]]>MovieManCin2 — 5 years ago(December 11, 2020 08:18 AM)

Actually I was addressing Cerridwen, but good on ya mate!
MAGA! FAFO! 😎 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 😎 Dumbocraps: evil people who celebrate murder. 😠

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782431https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782431Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hypothetical Question (Spoilers obviously) on Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:22 GMT]]>Someguy4321 — 5 years ago(December 11, 2020 07:17 AM)

I am from New Zealand.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782430https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782430Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hypothetical Question (Spoilers obviously) on Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:21 GMT]]>MovieManCin2 — 5 years ago(December 11, 2020 05:02 AM)

"honour"??
Are you British?
MAGA! FAFO! 😎 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 😎 Dumbocraps: evil people who celebrate murder. 😠

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782429https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782429Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hypothetical Question (Spoilers obviously) on Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:19 GMT]]>Someguy4321 — 5 years ago(December 11, 2020 04:51 AM)

Let's assume Catherine Martin is STILL ALIVE because Buffalo Bill knows that's his only leverage. Buffalo Bill proves to the cops (via a live-feed to his CCTV system) showing Catherine Martin's alive.
Could Buffalo Bill use Catherine Martin's release as leverage at this point?

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782428https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782428Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hypothetical Question (Spoilers obviously) on Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:18 GMT]]>Cerridwen — 5 years ago(November 17, 2020 05:58 PM)

No, of course they wouldn't honour it.
Hark! Harold the angel sings.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782427https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782427Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hypothetical Question (Spoilers obviously) on Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:17 GMT]]>preachcaleb — 5 years ago(November 17, 2020 05:37 PM)

Probably not. What's his proof that she's even alive?
So many stories, so little time.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782426https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1782426Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:17 GMT