Reply To: Still Life: Is it a flaw in Gamache that he has a desire to help people, and that he’s too compassionate?
Well, Jean-Guy certainly considers Gamache’s desire to help Nichol and other young agents a flaw and that despite the fact that is how Jean-Guy came to be part of the Surete homicide team although we don’t know as many details here. I think it is fair to say, it could be. There are situations in which either unwillingness or inability to follow orders and function within a team is downright dangerous. here is a risk involved. I think we see that Gamache is actually quite purposeful and deliberative and, as Tara notes, he removes Agent Nichol when she refuses to accept his direction. So, not a flaw by my definition.
If there is a shortcoming in the Gamache we meet in “Still LIfe,”, I think it is in underestimating the political climate and intrigue in the Surete leadership and in trusting Brebeuf. I am not sure what I think he should do differently though.
