2nd most-quoted character in Luther: in 16 of its 59 quotes Most scenes with: DCI John Luther (7)
Lines by Alice Morgan 6
Alice Morgan
In 1988, two psychologists published an article arguing that positive self-deception is a normal and advantageous part of most people’s lives. It turns out, people lie to themselves about three things: they view themselves in implausibly positive ways, they think they have far more control over their lives than they actually do, and they believe the future will be better than the evidence of the present can possibly justify. But, you’re way beyond that now. You’re on the other side of that particular mirror. Lying to yourself isn’t going to help anymore.
You assert a fabulous moral conscience, John. This adherence to unwritten law, yet, time and again, it devastates the people you claim to hold dear but you don't stop. Seems to me your conscience has killed more people than I have.
[chuckles] No, I wouldn't be so foolish. But I will tell you this, Alice. You can revel in your brilliance for as long as you like, but people slip up. Happens time and time again.
Alice Morgan
Well that's just faulty logic postulated on imperfect data collection. What if you only catch people who make mistakes? That would skew the figures, wouldn't it?
And you think I'm the monster. Love is supposed to dignify us, exalt us. How can it be love, John, if all it does is make you lonely and corrupt? [Luther turns and walks away] Answer the question! Don't turn your back on me!
John, his job. It takes such a toll. Why does he put himself through it?
ZLZoe Luther
I don't see how this is relevant.
Alice Morgan
Well, it is. Right this second, you might actually be helping him. What do you think compels him to do it?
ZLZoe Luther
He believes one life is all we have, life and love. Whoever takes life steals everything.
Alice Morgan
And do you agree?
ZLZoe Luther
I don't know. I think if he'd read a different book by a different writer at just the right time in his life he'd have been a different man. He'd have been happier as a priest than—
I did this because I don't like you and because I wanted to toy with John. Ah, it's a bit like pulling legs off flies.
MNMark North
Why are you here now?
Alice Morgan
Because I'm sorry.
MNMark North
No, you're not.
Alice Morgan
No, no, I'm not. I was just trying to empathise. I'm here because this has gone just far enough, and what I need you to do now is pick up that phone and withdraw the complaint.
MNMark North
And if I refuse? What if somebody actually stood up to you and refused?
Alice Morgan
Hmm, well, then, I'd have to leave… and then one night I'd have to come back.
Not sentiment. I can't empathise for this man's state of being any more than you can, because, disregarding a single, ah, alleged act, carried out for different, alleged, reasons, he and I might just as well be from different species.
But it isn't, is it? Not even to you. This man Burgess, he's just a naughty child showing off. You already know his flaw — his compulsion to dominate, to be in control — and you already know how to exploit that.
No games, listen. I did what I did to Henry Madsen because I wanted to help you. I put my liberty at risk because I couldn’t bear to see you hurt. So, what I did I did for wholly unselfish reasons.
Yes, you do. "The mind is its own place and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven." The universe isn’t evil, John, it’s just indifferent. That hasn’t changed. It can’t. But what I did for you, proved something to me. Something I hadn’t believed until that moment.
Luther · 59 quotes
Alice Morgan
