History PlayingWith / PleaseShootTheMessenger

** Alexi has done her absolute damnedest to be the perfect subordinate to Carlos because [[YouHaveFailedMe she's afraid of being killed for any failures]], and she's still killed anyway for [[MisplacedRetribution errors that are completely beyond her control]], she did not know about and were completely inconsequential, or worse yet, [[ForThe
Evulz because Carlos thought it would be a cool gag]]. The moment Bjorn pulls out his gun to shoot her in the head, Alexi's face showcases her immense disappointment that her efforts were AllForNothing.

* '''Played For Drama''': Bjorn is shocked and disgusted by Carlos' request but still regretfully proceeds with killing Alexi.

* '''Downplayed''': The letter instructs Bjorn that while they prefer that he didn't he still has permission to drain Alexi if [[IDidWhatIHadToDo necessary to prepare for a threat that could kill billions]].

** Bjorn reads the letter, tells Alexi what's going on, and then uses the death threat as leverage to recruit him.

* '''Played For Laughs''': Carlos requests in the letter that Alexi be killed in a very specific, over-the-top fashion.

* '''Played For Laughs''':
** Carlos requests in the letter that Alexi be killed in a very specific, over-the-top fashion.
** Dave writes a letter that mentions at the bottom to shoot whoever delivered this message, and asks Carlos to deliver it to Bjorn through Alexi. Carlos takes a look at the letter, then shoots Dave.

** The letter ends "P.S., shoot the woman who delivers this", and Bjorn immediately does so. Then he reads further; "P.P.S., change of plan, that woman's been taken care of. This one's my niece, I think you two would really hit it off!"

* '''Played For Laughs''': Carlos requests in the letter that Alexi be killed in a very specific, over-the-top fashion.

* '''Exploited''': This is used as a SecretTestOfCharacter. "Alexi" is really a robot decoy that would detonate when shot.

%%* '''Reconstructed''': ???

%%* '''Played For Laughs''': ???

* '''Implied''': Alexi has recently pissed Carlos off, but doesn't think he knows about it. She's sent to deliver a letter to Bjorn, who the viewers know [[DramaticIrony (but Alexi doesn't)]] is Carlos' [[HiredKillers wet work guy]], and the last shot of the episode is her entering Bjorn's office and shutting the door behind her. Neither Alexi, nor the contents of that letter, are ever discussed again.

** Carlos receives word from Bjorn that "P.S. [[SpySpeak The invoice came in from the pest control company - please pay the account due when you can.]]" In reality, though, Alice [[MistreatmentInducedBetrayal became]] or [[DoubleAgent was always]] an ally of Bjorn, who [[FakingTheDead arranged it to look like he killed Alexi]] so that he himself remained out of Carlos' suspicions.

* '''Subverted''': Bjorn looks up at Alexi and hesitates, his hand hovering over his gun. Then he says "I'd run far away if I were you. Seems your boss wants you dead."

** Bjorn finds offing the messenger [[EvenEvilHasStandards too petty or not becoming of their not-quite-legal-but-still-respectable organization]], so he offers Alexi protection and employment with him instead. He also suggests that this is [[AnOfferYouCantRefuse an offer she would be unwise to refuse]].

* '''Deconstructed''': Alexi is suspicious of Carlos' intentions and reads the letter before delivering it. After reading 'P.S. Please, kill the messenger' Alexi decides to bring the letter to Dave, Carlos enemy.

%%* '''Deconstructed''': ???

** The letter contains sensitive information which is too important to risk Alexi knowing about lest she fall into enemy hands and have the secret extracted by torture. The killing is an unfortunate but necessary precaution. (Or, at least it's seen that way by the characters.)

** The letter contains sensitive information which is too important to risk Alexi knowing about lest she fall into enemy hands and have the secret extracted by torture. The killing is an unfortunate but necessary precaution.

* '''Justified''': Alexi and Bjorn work for rival gangs. Alexi's boss Carlos knew there was a danger of the [[ShootTheMessenger messenger getting killed]] ''anyway'', so he sent someone he wanted dead.

* '''Subverted''': Bjorn looks up a Alexi and hesitates, his hand hovering over his gun. Then he says "I'd run far away if I were you. Seems your boss wants you dead."

** "P.S. I've poisoned Alexi without her knowing. Please give her this antidote once she delivers your letter."

* '''Conversed''': ???

* '''Inverted''': "It says you're here to kill me." "Seemed polite to warn you." *BLAM*

* '''Exploited''': This is used as a SecretTestOfCharacter. Alexi's robot decoy that would detonate when shot.

%%* '''Implied''': ???

* '''Parodied''': Mercury Couriers demand a Messenger Execution Deposit up front.

* '''Enforced''': The writers want to reinforce the bleak AnyoneCanDie tone and Carlos' ruthlessness, so they give minor recurring messenger Alexi ADeathInTheLimelight.

** Bjorn finds offing the messenger [[EvenEvilHasStandards too petty or not becoming of their not-quite-legal-but-still-respectable organization]], so he offers Alexi protection and employment with him instead. He also suggests this would be [[AnOfferYouCantRefuse she would be unwise to refuse]].

* '''Defied''': Alexi slides the letter under the door. "If there's anything in there about killing me, just know I've got a SawnOffShotgun pointing at your office door right now. You can send your own reply to Carlos; I'm getting out of this cutthroat business while I can."

* '''Invoked''': ???

* '''Exploited''': This is used as a HiddenTestOfCharacter. Alexi's robot decoy that would detonate when shot.

Click here to go back to [[PleaseShootTheMessenger Please Shoot the Messen-]] *[[KilledMidSentence BLAM]]*

%%* '''Plotted A Good Waste''': ???
%%* '''Played For Laughs''': ???

* '''Exploited''': ???

Back to PleaseShootTheMessenger.