Jeff’s parents were introduced when Jeff was just a few months old and it was clear that they were taking many pills on a daily basis. His mother had been taking them while she was pregnant with Jeff and his father had ignored his emotional needs and avoided having difficult conversations with him.
We’re curious about what happens to Jeff’s father after the police take him into custody and how he handles the situation thereafter. This episode particularly focuses on that. ..
Lionel is seen sobbing as he requests permission from the authorities to see Jeff. He tells them that he wants to understand what happened and wants to apologize for what he has done. The authorities agree and allow Lionel to see Jeff.
Lionel embraces his son Jeff when they first meet, accepting his apology and telling him it’s all right. Jeff asks about his grandmother after being asked to sit down by his father. Jeff’s father explains to Jeff that he didn’t realize how ill he was and that he needs professional help. He goes on to say that he believes Jeff can be treated. ..
Jeff’s father wants to help him despite everything he’s done, including the numerous murders, cannibalism, and other crimes. This is a perfect example of unconditional love and it’s obvious that his love for Jeff knows no bounds. ..
Jeff’s father questions his son as to why he feels the way that he does. Jeff admits that he is unsure and that he has given the matter a lot of thought. After that, Jeff implies that it’s probably because of the roadkill his father taught him to dissect. Jeff’s dad panics and enters a period of denial.
Jeff’s mother is seen entering a building while seeming to be all over the place. When Jeff’s mother informs someone that he is not HIV positive, the boy is overjoyed and breaks down in tears. He and Joyce both cry, but for different reasons.
Jeff’s father, Lionel, is distressed after going five nights without sleep. His wife advises him to go to the doctor and get some sleeping pills so he can fall asleep. ..
Lionel’s ex-wife was taking pills while she was carrying Jeff and that is why he is the way he is today. He needs to take responsibility for his actions because he wasn’t there for Jeff either.
Lionel breaks down and confesses that he should have checked on Jeff and that it is his fault. His wife comforts him by saying that he was unaware. Lionel tells his wife about his fantasies resembling those that Jeff experienced. Lionel goes into great detail with his wife about his attempts to make explosives, his attempts to hypnotize a girl, and his nightmares about how to dispose of their bodies. His wife makes an effort to comfort him and lift his spirits. ..
Lionel is seen dodging the media and law enforcement to reach his mother’s home. We learn that Lionel’s mother suffers from dementia and is unaware what’s going on.
The Reverend’s argument helps the case because it pushes the authorities to suspend the two officers who let two victims back into Jeff’s apartment and they were eventually killed by him; these are the same two officers who ignored Glenda’s repeated complaints about Jeff simply because she is African American.
Two officers argue that since they report to the chief, he should support them. As a compromise, the chief grants them a paid leave of absence while an investigation is conducted. Informing their chief that he cannot fire them and that their union representatives will defend them, the officers then depart. ..
The man on television claims to have been the victim of Jeff Dahmer. The man on television pretends to be the victim of Jeff Dahmer. They had sex at Jeff’s home. Jeff confided in the man on television that his father had molested him sexually, while Jeff’s stepmother was constantly yelling at him.
Jeff’s lawyer and father visit Jeff in jail. Jeff’s father works with the attorney to try to come up with a way to keep Jeff out of jail. Jeff wants to know if his state has the death penalty, but his father and attorney inform him that it does not. Jeff finds it disappointing that he won’t be put to death. Jeff’s father tells him that they must find a way to prevent Jeff from going to prison. His father goes on to say that the judge must be persuaded that Jeff is insane, even though he knows that he’s not.Jeff’s father persuades Jeff to lie in court, and he’s pushed to comply with his father’s wishes.
Jeff’s father neglected him and now Jeff is using defense mechanisms to try and keep himself out of jail.
Jeffery Dahmer was found not guilty of first-degree murder by a jury on Wednesday, after pleading guilty to 15 counts of the crime. The verdict comes as a shock to the families of the victims, as it means that Dahmer is not legally insane and is in good mental health. The judge told them that Dahmer will be imprisoned for the rest of his life.
When the court adjourns, Jeff’s father confronts Jeff’s mother and demands that she take some responsibility for what has happened. She’s frightened, defending herself, and attributing all of the blame on Lionel. Lionel’s wife can be seen attempting to soothe their concerns by assuring them that no one is at fault. ..
Joyce is visibly burdened with guilt over the role she played in Jeff’s development. She tries to make up for her mistakes by pleading with the families of the victims to pardon Jeff and ask them to testify on his behalf at his trial the following day so he can be placed in a mental institution, which they obviously refuse to do. ..
The victims’ families speak against Jeff in court and speak briefly. Jeff speaks shortly afterwards where he informs the judge and the audience that he wanted to be executed and had no intention of pleading innocent. He takes responsibility for his actions and clarifies that he acted instinctively rather than as part of a hate crime. Jeff is punished and asked to serve 15 consecutive life terms in prison. ..
Jeff’s father hugs him just before he is about to be sent to prison, admitting that he is responsible for teaching Jeff how to dissect animals and for ignoring and dismissing Jeff when he tried to approach him. He tells Jeff how he had similar fantasies and feelings and how he gave that to Jeff. He further apologizes for not being there for him even though he was aware that Jeff needed help. ..
Jeff is taken to jail after Lionel tells him that he will never leave him alone again and that he will make amends by calling and visiting him once a week. ..
In a suicide note, Joyce takes responsibility for her role in this situation. She apologizes to Jeff for being a terrible mother before making an attempt to kill herself by suffocating herself. However, she’s rescued at the last second.
Lionel learns that Joyce attempted suicide and expresses his sorrow and inquires about her well-being. Towards the end of the episode, we see the two police officers who took the Konerak boy back to Jeff reinstated in the force.
The Episode Review
We are taken on a psychological and emotional rollercoaster in this episode. We can’t help but feel frustrated and angry towards Lionel at the beginning when he refuses to take responsibility for his actions and denies the role he played. He rationalizes his actions too, which is infuriating.
In the episode, “The Killer in the Family,” we are privy to the thoughts and feelings of the parents of a serial killer. We see how they are similar to Jeff and Lionel, who share similar genes and emotions, but develop into very different people because their upbringing was very different. ..
Lionel was raised in a loving family while Jeff was raised in a chaotic one. This has a significant impact on the type of individuals they become as adults.
In this episode, the grief is beautifully deconstructed. The stages of mental anguish that one experiences are skilfully depicted. The entire spectrum of emotions—from denial to rationalization to acceptance—is displayed with precision. You can’t help but stand in awe at the sheer genius of everything, as though a psychologist assisted them in creating this episode. The connections between even the most minute details and their underlying meanings are simply outstanding.
Lionel, Jeff’s father, is an excellent actor. He convincingly conveys all the required emotions and captures every nuance in the process. His performance is outstanding, and without a doubt steals the show.
