MovieChat Forums > The Practice (1997) Discussion > So, William Hinks, - Spoilers -

So, William Hinks, - Spoilers -


Does his arc end with the bomb? While watching I was under the impression that Hinks is indeed a wanna-be and the real serial killer is the one who chopped his head off. For example, who sent the puppy to Lindsey if it wasn't Hinks? Are we to assume he was just acting angry, because it sure didn't seem like it. Besides, the way he died - getting his head chopped off - was the serial killer's M.O., so I thought the real serial killer came and killed him after Bobby's guy left.

Is there any truth here or am I just rambling?

reply

[deleted]

Alright, thanks.

reply

yep to fiero! nice job :)

reply

That's a pretty good summation Fiero.

I wasn't convinced when I watched it that he'd sent the puppy. He looked shocked enough when told about it that it may have been someone else.

I was never completely sure that he'd been guilty of the killings or was just a wind up merchant.

I guess it was just good writing and acting though.

reply

The actor was brilliant, and I had forgotten about the bomb ending (oops spoiler!)

So the entire time I forgot he was a killer and was wondering 'hey was he just a wannabee?'

turns out he was just pathological or a brilliant actor [the character]

reply

Hi fiero425, Thank you for your post explaining the William Hinks storyline. Michael Emerson is brilliant, I was wondering if you know of anywhere reputable to buy the series? I got ripped off a few months back for fifty dollars and don't want to chance it again. I'm really only interested in the William Hinks/Michael Emerson storyline. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks very much.

reply

[deleted]

I was particularly confused by this. I haven't seen every episode, but I saw this run of episodes. I don't recall the show ever establishing as fact that Hinks sent the puppy. It was clearly intended to be understood that way, but then when confronted about the puppy Hinks gives that bizarre, confused response. Did the show ever explain that?

reply

I think the writers were going to make Hinks a more long-term guest star in The Practice, sort of how Michael Emerson parlayed his guest-starring role on LOST into one of the THE best villains ever in a main cast. The way they made it seem Hinks himself truly believed that he was the head-cutting serial killer, but there were significant reasonable doubt (which is how he got a 'not guilty' verdict in the first place.)

His therapist didn't believe that he was guilty, and Hinks was shocked and surprised about the puppy in Lindsay's office, suggesting that the real head-cutter killer knew about Lindsay and Hinks and wanted to send her a message as the real McCoy. I think Hinks did kill the therapist, but obviously it wasn't the same style of killing as the first few women victims (he injected the therapist with nicotine to stop her heart).

I think the original plan was for Hinks to be the distraction while the real killer hid in the shadows and did the actual killing that Hinks took credit for. Remember how Hinks told the guy Bobby hired that he has 'cooties' and that he shouldn't touch him? I think that was Hinks' way of saying, "My partner the real killer will end up cutting your head off if you touch me, he's already got you on tape so you can't escape now." Either way, the fact that Hinks gets killed seemed like a sudden end to his storyline when it could've gone on for a few more episodes, I thought.

reply

[deleted]

[deleted]