'Under the Bridge': How Rebecca Godfrey’s reference to Perry Smith unlocks key information on criminal behavior
Contains spoilers for 'Under the Bridge'
VANCOUVER, CANADA: 'Under the Bridge' is becoming increasingly intense with each new episode, captivating viewers with its intricate web of mysteries and revelations.
In 'Under the Bridge' Episode 5, titled 'When the Heat Comes Down', which premiered on Wednesday, May 8, on Hulu, Rebecca Godfrey (Riley Keough) explores the concept of engaging further with the teenage suspects involved in Reena Virk's (Vritika Gupta) murder.
Rebecca also references Perry Smith, who was one of the two individuals convicted of the brutal murders depicted in Truman Capote's non-fiction novel 'In Cold Blood.'
In 'Under the Bridge', Rebecca takes on a more active role in assisting Cam Bentland (Lily Gladstone) with the investigation into Reena's murder.
Rebecca says, “Hey, Perry Smith told Capote things he never told anyone else.” Rebecca means to say that she can elicit more information from Josephine Bell (Chloe Guidry) about Reena's murder by taking a more direct approach.
Who was Perry Smith?
Perry Smith was a part of one of the most infamous family murders in history, which took place 65 years ago in Holcomb, a city in Finney County, Kansas, United States.
The murder sent shockwaves through the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, and the country as a whole.
Smith was one of the two perpetrators of the Clutter family murders in Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959. Along with Dick Hickock, Smith broke into the Clutter family home, believing there was a safe containing a large sum of money.
On November 15, 1959, the duo traveled from Olathe, Kansas, to Holcomb, Kansas, with the intention of burglarizing the home of a farmer named Herbert Clutter, who was rumored to have a safe containing $10,000.
However, they found no safe and ended up committing a crime. Herbert and his wife, Bonnie, and their teenage children, Nancy and Kenyon, were brutally murdered, as reported by New York Daily News.
Capote's 1966 non-fiction novel 'In Cold Blood' meticulously details the brutal murders of the Clutter family. The novel explores the lives of the victims, Herbert and Bonnie, and their children, Nancy and Kenyon, as well as the perpetrators, Hickock and Smith, who were later captured, tried, and executed for the crime.
Why does Rebecca Godfrey mention the notorious Clutter family killers in 'Under the Bridge'?
While discussing the notorious Clutter family killers, Rebecca expressed hope that Josephine and the other teens would confide in her due to their trust in her.
Rebecca's strategy is to establish a rapport with Josephine and the other teenagers involved in the crime. By building trust, she aims to create a safe space where they feel comfortable opening up about their involvement in Reena's murder.
Rebecca likens her relationship with Josephine to that of Capote and Smith because Smith trusted Capote with information he wouldn't share with the police officers.
This comparison highlights Rebecca's hope to establish a similar level of trust and openness with Josephine, enabling her to gather crucial information for the police investigation.
Rebecca believes that criminals are more likely to feel comfortable and open up with patient writers rather than police officers. She thinks this is because writers, who often spend time listening and understanding without the immediate pressure of law enforcement, can create a non-threatening environment that fosters trust.
Writers tend to approach conversations with empathy and curiosity, focusing on the individual's story rather than seeking a confession. This patience to understand a criminal's perspective can make them feel heard and respected, unlike police officers who may be seen as adversarial and focused on solving a criminal case quickly.
While writing her book, Rebecca had to withhold confidential information from both the police and the teenagers involved in the crime to maintain the trust of both groups, as reported by The Paris Review.
How to stream 'Under the Bridge?'
'Under the Bridge' Episodes 1-6 are currently available for streaming on Hulu.
To view the series, you must have a subscription to the streaming service, which is divided into ad-supported and ad-free versions.
The package that includes advertising is available for just $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Additionally, the package without advertisements is $17.99 per month.
'Under the Bridge' trailer