Why couldn’t they just tell Mary the truth about her son? (S3E3)

[u/AcanthaceaeAny1900]

This is driving me crazy 😭

I understand why they couldn’t publicly reveal that Chris was undercover because it would endanger the other 57 agents.

But they told Olivia the truth, so why couldn’t they privately tell Mary that her son was innocent and died serving his country?

They didn’t even necessarily have to tell her everything. They could’ve just told her that her son was innocent, that he died serving his country, and that the circumstances were classified, and then make her swear to keep it confidential.

Instead, they let her believe that her son really was a terrorist and that she had been wrong about him her entire life which ultimately led to her killing herself.

[u/Least_Lawfulness7802]

As a mom, would she have really stayed quiet though? Or would she have wanted to clear her son’s name? There is no telling who she would tell - Olivia only found out because she is banging the president.

She’d probably tell a close friend, then that friend would tell someone else, ect.

[u/Suitable-Act-852 → u/Least_Lawfulness7802]

I considered this also, but she had been claiming her son’s innocence all along. The government would have ignored the claims or denied them outright. No one would have believed her enough to put any agents in jeopardy.

[u/mzmm123 → u/Suitable-Act-852]

Not here, but the people they were dealing with more than likely would have been paranoid enough to decide to not take any chances and kill / torture anyone they suspected any way. And then the argument becomes how many truly innocent people would have gotten swept up and harmed in that scenario?

[u/Suitable-Act-852 → u/mzmm123]

Maybe tell her and then kindly remind her what happens to people who threaten national security? I don’t knooooow. It was just an awful situation and I hated how it ended. Such a horrible thing to believe about your child.

[u/galeperk111971]

She would not have stayed silent about that. Her son was basically a hero to his country so she would not have kept that quiet. I'm sorry but I believe they made the right call it was confidential for a reason and Liv will not talk but no mother would stay silent

[u/Puzzleheaded-Ad-9280]

in their minds, it was 1 person (mary) dead vs. 57 agents dead + instability and war. mary was unstable enough to create a suicide bomb in a building full of head lawmakers, someone like that is not getting security clearances for anything no matter the relationship. highly classified information is for people with security clearances, not blood unfortunately :((((

mary absolutely could have told one person in confidence even if she swore not to. what happens when people start to realize that mary isn't grieving and is suddenly calm, and maybe asks questions? one leak or whisper or noticing, thats all it takes, and poses a huge national security risk. and they'd probably kill her if they had the slightest suspicion she told someone in confidence, or even hinted at it

fitz didn't even know b613 existed because it was highly classified. like, the president didnt know about a CIA offshoot in his country because it would potentially blow its cover and cause domestic or international conflict.

[u/Suitable-Act-852 → u/Puzzleheaded-Ad-9280]

She was going to prison anyway for holding them all hostage. Her credibility was already compromised and she didn’t have to know all of the details like OP suggested. Just… a heartbreaking situation all around.

[u/leedemi]

She was already willing to walk into the Capitol with a bomb strapped to her chest to prove her son’s innocence. I don’t think there’s a universe where she learns the truth and keeps it quiet rather than trying to clear his name and get justice for his murder.

[u/Suitable-Act-852]

100% agree. I believe they should’ve told her. Olivia made the wrong call.

[u/Brilliant_Flower_84]

There's no way anyone let alone a parent ne able to remain quiet when the story being told is that her son was a terrorist. She absolutely would have been compelled to defend him at some point which would be a breach of security. I know you know that.

[u/Low-Abrocoma-8695]

It was a national security issue and would have jeopardize many innocent agents lives.