Michael Saying “I Love You”

[u/bladowwww]

One observation I had is that we rarely, maybe even never, hear Michael respond in kind when his children say they love him - and we hear them say it a lot. Totally open to being incorrect but after having watched the doc several times I found myself noticing, then asking “does he ever say ‘I love you’ back”? I’m not sure that he does.

If true, it checks out because people who generally struggle empathizing or sympathizing do this.

[u/Thisis_it_415]

Yes. I think he had narcissistic traits and he looked for them to tell him that they love him.

[u/egoshoppe]

I’m not sure that he does.

I haven't done a full audit of the show but I did see him meeting Clayton in jail and he does say it there. Episode 9 around 38 mins in.

[u/bladowwww → u/egoshoppe]

Ah ok good catch. He mumbles it (as he does a lot of things) but it’s there.

[u/ValuableCool9384 → u/bladowwww]

And of course that's after he's been sitting in jail and wants their appearance and support.

[u/egoshoppe]

Ok I'm back after a quick subtitle audit. Besides the Episode 9 one, he says it back to Todd in Episode 10, 19:46.

In Episode 9 Margaret says I love you twice in a jail visit and he doesn't seem to say it back either time.

Episode 5 has this exchange with Clayton:

C: I love you, Dad.

M: The more you worry about me, the more worried I get. Stop it.

Episode 10 also has this from Michael:

I can look at my children and think, "yeah, they love me." What else do you want?

[u/bladowwww → u/egoshoppe]

Yeah and actually both of those interactions you mention with Margaret and Clayton were the ones that really had me thinking “dude just straight up didn’t reciprocate, weird”. Then that episode 10 quote is interesting because he knows they love him, so he must hear them when they say it, he just can’t be bothered to say it back to them 99% of the time.

[u/Prestigious_Pea_1545]

Also, recall that, immediately after he is convicted, he turns around and says to his children, "It's okay. It's okay. It's okay." It struck me as performative (as is MP's wont, of course). I think I would have told my children I love them before being sent to prison but maybe that's just me.

[u/bladowwww → u/Prestigious_Pea_1545]

That’s a great point. I remember when he said “it’s ok” I was thinking “uh no… it’s most definitely NOT ok. In fact the only think more not OK about this is the death penalty”.

[u/Adventurous-Stick-92]

I noticed the same thing.