2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

FBI Team Leader Peg Ryan doesn’t like Jules because he’s gay and doesn’t believe he should be in the Bureau. Even after he saves a beloved local law enforcement officer during a hostage situation she botched and where everyone labeled his efforts as heroic, Peg’s only words to him were to say she still didn’t believe he belonged there. Your thoughts about her attitude? Was it more than his sexual orientation?

She had problems with Jules. Part homophobic and part his personality. But, whatever her real problem was, she had no business taking it out on Jules in a manner so that everyone knew she has a problem. Totally unprofessional behavior.

Jules would never be able to do anything right in Peggy's eyes. She was a homophobe who didn't want him in the Bureau. She probably would have caused him a lot (more) of trouble if Max wasn't such a good friend to Jules.

It's a combination of both.
Peggy's bigotry was incurable. She was willing to harm her career prospects due to her homophobia.

In addition, she was obviously jealous of Jules' personal friendship with Max. Her prejudice couldn't allow her to reconcile the idea of a straight man being such good friends with a gay man.

I agree. Peggy was homophobic, but her biggest problem was her jealousy toward Jules. She didn't like that Max was mentoring Jules as a replacement. Peggy will do anything she can to bad mouth Jules to try and replace him in Max's eyes.

Lauren, I don't think it would make any difference if Jules were gay or straight. She wants to be Max's replacement. If she saw anyone gaining favor with Max, she would try to make him/her look bad.

I agree with Sharon: above all, Peggy wanted to be Max's replacement. She was jealous and vindictive, and I don't think it was all because Jules was gay.

Sharon wrote: "Lauren, I don't think it would make any difference if Jules were gay or straight. She wants to be Max's replacement.."

I agree. She would have been jealous of anyone in that position. Her homophobia only compounded it.

I’m not going to let Peg’s homophobia off the hook here because, even though she was jealous of Jules’ relationship with Max, in her heart she couldn’t believe someone like him would not only be allowed in the bureau but be allowed to serve a leadership role. She was unprofessional and it was her downfall as she’d never have been in Sarasota if not to get away from Jules.

I’ve met people like Peg and reluctantly had to accept that their homophobia superseded everything else. Competitive rival is one thing, but the nasty basis can’t be ignored.