2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Tom Paoletti brings psychologist Dr. Josephine (Jo) Heissman in to talk to everyone on the team involved with Angelina’s death. The conversations go far beyond that mission, bleeding into issues that happened when they were in Kazbekistan, especially between Sophia and Decker. What did you make of the differences in perceptions of the sexual contact between the two of them where he sees it as rape and she doesn’t? Your thoughts?

This was a very interesting way to explore these issues. Decker thinks he victimized Sophia and Sophia thought she was controlling Decker and she needed control in that situation.

It's been clear for a while that Decker's guilt was over the top and out of all proportion, especially considering Sophia's perception of the events. She forgave him but his overblown sense of honor prevents him from doing the same.

In any case, any relationship between them is never going to get off the ground as he is never going to be able to move past this.

This is the issue they have to resolve if ever they have a fighting chance. It was remarkable that it surfaced so quickly and starkly. All the other issues are meaningless as this is the one.

Decker believes it was rape because he saw her as being powerless in the moment. Sophia doesn’t because she thought she was executing a plan to overtake him.

Good luck getting through this one.

Jonetta wrote: "Good luck getting through this one.."

I am not sure that is ever going to happen. Even if Decker eventually forgives himself, it will always be in the back of his mind and will prevent him from being with Sophia. Their past is just too complicated for them to be truly happy together. They need to be with other people that don't have their baggage.

Decker and Sophia need to get over that incident. It's like they had a one-night stand before they knew they would have to see and interact with each other on an ongoing basis. Now, they both, but especially Decker, are embarrassed and can't seem to move beyond it.

I always thought Decker was a jerk for not realizing that Sophia was in trouble and taking advantage of her situation. But at least he didn't turn her over to the baddie who was after her.