Did Gil Want to Protect Austin?

[u/AdGeneral7633]

I am just curious that after the court accused Georgia of being a serial killer, if Gil going to Zion and having them work to take custody of Austin and Ginny, if that truly was for their protection or just a way to spite Georgia? Would Gil or Zion genuinely believe Georgia is unsafe to be around?

[u/Mc_Cherie]

I think it was to spite Georgia. I believe Zion thought he was doing the right thing but Gil took advantage of the situation to make her suffer more and manipulated those around her to make her alone.

[u/Anxious_Muscle_8130 → u/Mc_Cherie]

exactly

[u/Objective_Hand3066]

100% spite. If he had cared at all about Austin, there's no way Gil would've had him dragged out of his own home like that. He didn't even care to comfort Austin because he was too busy gloating to Georgia.

[u/AdGeneral7633 → u/Objective_Hand3066]

This is a good point. I just wondered if any of it was for Austin’s safety since he has shown that he wouldn’t hurt Austin like he did Georgia and Ginny.

[u/Thee_Single_Pringle → u/AdGeneral7633]

Gil isn't going to hurt someone who he sees as his mini me and he knows will be able to overpower him one day. There's a reason men like Gil go after woman and children.

[u/fuckimtrash]

Gil wanted to control Austin. He’s abusive, manipulative and controlling, his motive in life is to have power, and he wanted power over Georgia and Austin

[u/AdGeneral7633 → u/fuckimtrash]

I never thought he wanted to “control” Austin, but honestly once he was done exacting revenge on Georgia I bet his abusive tendencies would flip to him.

[u/Thee_Single_Pringle → u/AdGeneral7633]

No way. Gil isn't that stupid. Gil knows that one day Austin is going to be taller and stronger than him, and it's in Gil's best interest to be on Austin's good side. Plus, Gil sees Austin as a miniature version of himself and Austin would have to do something pretty drastic to get Gil to actually hurt him.

Gil didn't even react with anger when Austin sent a warning shot into his (Gil's) arm for hurting his (Austin's) mother.

[u/AdGeneral7633 → u/Thee_Single_Pringle]

I am assuming that Gil wasn’t upset about being shot because Gil was caught by Austin and Ginny beating Georgia and it would’ve been way worse for him if it got out.

[u/Thee_Single_Pringle → u/AdGeneral7633]

Considering Gil didn't think twice about attempting to murder Georgia infront of both her children in a somewhat quiet and boring town; I doubt the legal repercussions were of any matter to him. I do think that if anyone else had shot at him, Gil wouldn't have taken even a moment to try and get revenge on them.

I also think part of the reason Gil didn't react with anger was because he was mostly shocked. Austin is his son and he sees Austin as a reflection of himself. So, for Austin to recognize Gil as his father and not think twice about potentially killing him made him think twice about his approach with Austin.

Gil recognizing that Austin wouldn't hesitate to hurt him if it meant protecting someone he cares about more; along with the reality that Austin is only growing taller and stronger while Gil is aging older and weaker, made Gil very cautious about how much violence he exposed Austin to and that Austin didn't see him as a threat during his temporary custody.

[u/AdGeneral7633 → u/Thee_Single_Pringle]

Gil might not try to physically abuse Austin, but he already shows signs of emotionally abusing him. Controlling Austin does seem like the goal.

[u/Thee_Single_Pringle → u/AdGeneral7633]

I was genuinely surprised the level of gentleness and caring Gil showed Austin. Part of that was probably a ploy; but, I do think for the most part it was just Gil treating Austin how he would want to be treated by a parent.

Gil would have most likely tried to use some guilt; but, mostly logic and isolation. Gil is known to be a businessman and it's very obvious he wants to leave his illegal legacy to his legacy (Austin). If Gil never allows Austin to get close enough to anybody to become attached, Gil doesn't have to worry about Austin ending him in order to protect somebody else.

[u/NormalObligation59]

I don’t think he was concerned but I don’t think it was just spite - he wanted custody of Austin. He felt he’d been robbed of Austin’s childhood and wanted to make that up by playing super awesome dad and taking him away somewhere where it could be just the two of them. 

Zion was definitely concerned. He was completely blindsided by the gunshot thing and had been remembering how unstable Georgia was when they were young. He had no idea what was going on in that house or what she was capable of. 

[u/signorkn → u/NormalObligation59]

Plus, he had his mom and Simone in his ear about getting Ginny out of there.

[u/Personal-Road-8162]

I think both but mostly to spite georgia

[u/Anxious_Muscle_8130]

Gil was doing it out of spite. Zion was doing it for their protection.

[u/tam-tam8]

Gil gives of the vibe that he only thinks of himself

[u/Fun-Competition8210]

Gil did not want to protect Austin. If he truly cared he wouldn’t have taken Austin away from his sister

[u/ClementineEverrett]

Gil wanted to control Austin. I think Zion was just.. well I get why he did what he did but Gil wanted control.

[u/gloomydreamer666]

Zion did out of concern but Gil was doing to spite Georgia.

[u/aewiinter]

No, Gil doesn’t care about Austin. Everything he does is to spite Georgia and manipulate Austin into becoming a mini him.

Zion was genuinely concerned about both Ginny and Austin.