Child psychologist explains real reason Jamie kept denying murder despite being shown video footage
A child psychologist has revealed why Jamie refused to admit that he murdered Katie in the third episode of Adolescence.
Before we get into it, I think, by now, we don't need to tell you what Adolescence is about.
Amateur viewers have already been analysing everything they find intriguing - such as why childhood photos are shown in the opening credits, to 'hidden meanings' behind the emojis used in the show.
Now, an expert has given an interesting take on the penultimate episode of, currently the most popular show on Netflix.
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Dr Sheila Redfern has explained why Jamie (played by Owen Cooper) kept denying that he stabbed his classmate to death, even though he was shown the footage in the first episode.
Psychologist Briony (Erin Doherty) sits down with the 13-year-old at the young offenders facility to assess his behaviour.
Shortly after offering him a hot chocolate and half a sandwich, Jamie becomes very confrontational and forces Briony to take a break half way through.
During the session, however, Jamie was shown clear video footage of committing the murder, which the audience were also previewed to in the first episode, but he repeatedly denies any wrongdoing.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Dr Redfern says this is because of 'the sheer shame he's feeling'.
She notes that he doesn't want to believe that 'he is that sort of person' who is capable of taking part in such a horrible crime.
The child psychologist also points out that his defence does slip during the episode, but then he goes right back to denial.
In the last episode though, Jamie calls his dad (played by Stephen Graham) on his birthday to tell him that he's changing his plea to 'guilty'.
Jamie called his dad without knowing that his sister and mum were also there in the van.
“Jamie is always trying to impress his dad and make sure his dad is proud of him. But I don’t think he finds that,” Cooper explained to Tudum.
“He’s obviously bothered about the plea, but he’s more bothered about his dad. Although he doesn’t want to let down his whole family, his dad’s at the core of his heart. Jamie doesn’t want to let Eddie down.”
Christine Tremarco, who plays Jamie’s mum Manda, added: “I told them, 'Imagine that someone you love has been on a life support machine. You’ve been hoping and praying that they stay alive.
“Then, in this moment, the doctor finally tells you, ‘There’s nothing else we can do, and we’re going to switch the machine off,’.
“That’s what Jamie pleading guilty is for the Millers.”
Well, if you're hoping for a season two, co-writer Graham recently told Variety that 'there’s the possibility of developing another story'.
Topics: Adolescence, Netflix, Owen Cooper, TV
Anish Vij