If I could pause?Knives Out · 2019 — Chapter 2 of 14 · 3'45" · C1
Blanc Introduces Himself to the Family, Explained: at the behest of
A famous detective walks into a hostile room. Who is he, and why is he here? "I'm here at the behest of a client," he explains, refusing to name one; all he promises is that his part will be "ornamental," a quiet observer of the truth. Then the family turns on itself.
What happens
Detective Benoit Blanc arrives unannounced as the family is being questioned. He explains he is there "at the behest of a client" he will not name, and promises to be only an "ornamental," quiet observer of the truth. The family, meanwhile, starts sniping at one another about the family business.
Listen for
at the behest offollow in your father's footstepsdrive someone nutspro-forma
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Phrase of the scene
at the behest of
at someone's request or command
布兰克解释自己来此并非警方邀请，而是受一位委托人所托。
The review was ordered at the behest of the board.
Also in this scene
- follow in your father's footsteps
to do what someone before you did
- drive someone nuts
to annoy or frustrate someone greatly
- pro-forma
done as a routine formality, without real substance
Everything marked in this scene
43 notes across 84 lines
And why are we doing all this again? (CHUCKLES)This is just some follow-up questions.Um, we're attempting to be thorough, so we can figure out the manner of death.purpose clause with so
Um, we're attempting to be thorough, so we can figure out the manner of death.liaison
Um, we're attempting to be thorough, so we can figure out the manner of death.So by "manner of death," you mean if someone killed him?If one of us killed him?liaison
If one of us killed him?No one's saying that, okay?done as a routine formality, without real substance
The lieutenant calls the questioning a formality to calm the family down.
This is all pro-forma.So who the fuck is that?So who the fuck is that?Mr. Blanc is a private investigator of great renown.I read a tweet about a New Yorker article about you.Mr. Blanc is not with the police department and not officially involved in the case, but he's offered to consult.parallel negation
Mr. Blanc is not with the police department and not officially involved in the case, but he's offered to consult.Now, I happily obliged, and I can vouch for him.I read your profile in the New Yorker.I'm here at the behest of a client.liaison
I'm here at the behest of a client.My presence will be ornamental.quiet, passive observerHarlan's nurse, she was at the party in a professional capacity?Harlan hired her to be around to take care of whatever medical needs popped up.But really, she's like part of the family.Been a good friend to Harlan.Linda really likes her work ethic."Immigrants. We get the job done."As a self-made man myself,I have to express my admiration for how you followed in your father's footsteps.You know, the whole family, too.Yes, I mean, Walt, he's done well with what Dad gave him.It's just not the same.Are you baiting me, Detective?And if you think I am dumb enough to be baited into talking family business,adjective + enough + to
And if you think I am dumb enough to be baited into talking family business,Walt doesn't run shit.Harlan never allowed any adaptations of his books.to annoy or frustrate someone greatly
Drives Walt nuts.'Cause that's where the real money is.When Walt would get a little Irish courage in him,When Walt would get a little Irish courage in him,Blanc Introduces Himself to the Family, explained
What's really going on
Blanc's grand entrance is a performance of humility. He lets the room hear that he is a famous investigator, then waves the fame away: "My presence will be ornamental." He is not with the police and not officially on the case, so his only hold on the room is what he chooses to reveal and what he withholds — "I'm here at the behest of a client," and "I cannot say" who. The family fills the silence with its own noise, turning a routine interview into an argument about who really built what. That gap, between a man who says nothing and a family that cannot stop talking, is where the detective works.
Theme
SecretsBlanc arrives to find the truth and will not say who hired him, guarding his purpose while others talk.
Family conflictThe interview quickly turns into the family sniping at each other over money, work and inheritance.
Listen for
- figure out — liaison
- one of — liaison
- behest of — liaison
My presence will be ornamental.A disarming promise that Blanc will not interfere — which is exactly how he gets people talking.
It's just not the same.A dig at Walt's success, implying his publishing empire is nothing like Harlan's real achievement.
I read a tweet about a New Yorker article about you.The family knows Blanc only through internet gossip, a joke about how fame travels.
Are you baiting me, Detective?A family member guesses Blanc is fishing for a fight about the business, and calls it out.
Questions about this scene
What does 'pro-forma' mean here?
It means done as a formality. The officer calls the questioning "all pro-forma" to reassure the family that it is routine and implies nobody is really a suspect.
Who hired Benoit Blanc?
He refuses to say. He only tells the room he is there "at the behest of a client," and when asked who, answers flatly, "I cannot say."
Why does the family resent Blanc's presence?
They are already annoyed at being questioned again. A stranger who will not explain why he is there gives them something new to push against.
What does the family fight about during the interview?
The family business. There are no TV or film rights because Harlan never allowed adaptations, which drives Walt nuts and reveals the real money they wish they had.
Is Blanc officially part of the investigation?
No. He is not with the police department and is not officially involved, but the lieutenant vouches for him and lets him consult.
Knives Out · 14 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 3the black sheep of the familyThe Family Recounts Party Night
Chapter 1pass the torchPolice Question the Thrombeys
Watching · Chapter 2at the behest ofBlanc Introduces Himself to the Family
Chapter 3the black sheep of the familyThe Family Recounts Party Night
Chapter 4a little bird told meMarta Fails the Lie Test
Chapter 5with a forked tongueReconstructing the Night of the Death
Chapter 6close the book with a flourishHarlan's Last Game of Go
Chapter 7stone-cold deadHarlan Coaches Marta's Alibi
Chapter 8conflateThe Family Fights at the Memorial
Chapter 9burn bridgesRansom Arrives Before the Will Reading
Chapter 10hold your horsesThe Family Learns About the Will
Chapter 11lay lowA Deal at the Diner
Chapter 12twist the knifeBlanc Reveals Who Hired Him
Chapter 13a shred of evidenceBlanc Explains the Vial Switch
Chapter 14in for a penny, in for a poundBlanc Reveals the Whole PlanChapter 2 of 14 · about 60 min to go