Question B

[Jonetta]

We’ve previously seen that infamous scene involving Hamish the elder’s brutal treatment of Tessa McGrath with his sons through Liam’s eyes. This time it’s through Gavin’s. Your thoughts about how it impacted him?

[Robin]

Hamish's violence toward Tessa McGrath, his sons, and his wife, made a huge impact on Gavin. He vowed to take care of his mother and never be like Laird MacKenzie or his brothers. It's surprising he didn't have a violent streak in him too. Maybe his mother had a lot of influence over him.

[Charlene]

Gavin's reaction was so different from his brothers' that I almost had to rethink the entire scene from the first time. I'm not sure he realized how he was protected by one brother at the time.

[Anita]

Gavin already knew that Hamish was a brutal, cruel man. It was a shock to see it actually played out. I actually thought that what Liam did to Tessa impacted him more. I don't think that Gavin knew Liam did what he did to protect him.

[Jonetta]

I agree, Anita. I think he expected Hamish’s brutality but seeing Liam participate is what changed him. We know that Liam was trying to protect his brothers but seeing it through Gavin’s made him look as bad as his father. It changed him profoundly and he developed an intense hatred for Liam.

Amazing how two men could live the same experience and come out of it with such different perspectives. It would have helped if Liam had told him later why he did what he did.

[Karen ♐]

I did find it interesting how even though they were all there to witness the same scene, it affected them in different ways. I don't think Gavin knew Liam did what he did to protect his brothers. I loved how he took care of his mother.

[Lauren]

Robin wrote: "t's surprising he didn't have a violent streak in him too."

Interesting Robin.
I think Gavin does have the violent Mackenzie temper and the potential for violence like his brothers. The only difference is that he tries to suppress it and, of course, Eammon taught him to be a kinder man.

[Lauren]

I agree with you all.
The difference of perspective regarding the same situation is significant. Liam was trying to protect his brothers and Tessa as well while Thorne was shocked by what he saw as his beloved brother behaving in the same cruel and vicious manner as his hated father.