Question for anyone who has watched The Departed

[Suleiman]

Watched it a 3rd time today for a theatre class, each of the three times I've watched I've noticed some new detail I missed before. Like the occurrence of infertility amongst the bad guys.

One question that I can't seem to get the answer to :

*SPOILER AHEAD*

Why does Billy Costigan (Leo's character) make a run for it when he realizes Colin (Matt Damon) has the letter with Costello's gangs' information in it on his desk at the police station, including Billy's?

He already gave Colin his police database password, if he runs, Colin will 100% know that he knows something so he will just delete him off the database and erase any evidence of him being a cop. Since Colin is trying to give himself a clean slate as well.

Shouldn't Billy have told someone instead or just take the money and bounce and get him some other way?

I love the movie, but not being able to get my head around this one detail irks me everytime.

Thanks.

 

[barah_admi]

Irks me too. Im a massive fan but that bit is always a bit confusing for me.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I always read it as the stress of the situation was making him act irrationally

I know thats bit of a cop-out explanation (pun unintended) but sometimes those are the only ones.

 

[James]

I agree with the “acting irrationally under stress” explanation. He had been through so much to stop Costello and had recently seen his mentor Quinlan die right in front of him. He was already on the verge of a mental breakdown like he says to his shrink. And then when he sees that envelope, he is so emotionally overwhelmed by the revelation of who the mole was all along that he has to disappear and collect his thoughts.

But I do take the point that in such an intricately woven and masterfully crafted film, it is one of the few potentially weaker moments.

 

[Suleiman]

I always read it as the stress of the situation was making him act irrationally

I know thats bit of a cop-out explanation (pun unintended) but sometimes those are the only ones.

I agree with the “acting irrationally under stress” explanation. He had been through so much to stop Costello and had recently seen his mentor Quinlan die right in front of him. He was already on the verge of a mental breakdown like he says to his shrink. And then when he sees that envelope, he is so emotionally overwhelmed by the revelation of who the mole was all along that he has to disappear and collect his thoughts.

But I do take the point that in such an intricately woven and masterfully crafted film, it is one of the few potentially weaker moments.

Damn it, was really hoping this wasn't the reason as that's what I thought of initially, but was like, "nah it can't be, that's such a cop out, I'm sure I missed something".

He had been in so many more high pressure situations throughout the movie that him breaking here means he didn't care anymore.

Like he tells the psychiatrist. When you're sitting face to face with a mass murderer, you heart rate is jacked, but your hand is completely still, it doesn't shake.

In the movie his weakness had always been him getting emotional and his anger as Queenan and Dignam point out at the start, and also shown in his cranberry-period brawl. I guess that's what gets him at the end again.