  |
This article's content is marked as Mature The page contains mature content that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images which may be disturbing to some. Mature pages are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Otherwise, you should close this page and view another page. |
 |
Dr. Wily has declared that this article is still under construction. This page has three weeks by which to achieve the minimum standards for a full page (or Stub minimum), after which it shall be moved to Speedy Deletion. After I finish this article, the world will be mine! MWAHAHAHAHA! |
| “ | It wasn't supposed to happen. He was just gonna talk to her. | „ |
| ~ Edwards’ confession to Leslie’s murder |
Ethan Edwards is the supporting antagonist of the Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "The Pilgrim". Edward is an American substitute teacher and a self-described jihadist who colludes with a terrorist group to commit a bombing in New York City, until he questions his allegiance when his accomplice, Jorge Galvez, kills a woman Edwards didn’t want to hurt.
He was portrayed by Rider Strong.
History[]
Edwards wanted to look to theology studies to cope with his parents’ dissolving marriage. He turned to religion as his father was a chemist and he was closer to his mother, hoping to answer to a higher calling and give meaning to the parts of life he loved. Edwards majored in theology in college and learned multiple languages, and along the way, during his international travels for a religion outreach program, he met Jorge Galvez, an angry ex-con who, compared to Edwards’ interpretation of faith for divinity, saw Islam as a justification for rage and vengeance. Galvez indoctrinated Edwards to his plan for a terrorist attack on the United States, where the upcoming Veteran’s Day parade in New York City would be suicide bombed by Galvez and Edwards. Edwards made a goodbye manifesto for his family, and a sleeper was checking the customs regulations so explosives could be shipped him while Galvez and Edwards traveled around the world to train for the massacre. Edwards, due to his conscience, nearly backed out after the September 11 attacks, to the point he called his mother to know she was still alive.
The sleeper’s girlfriend, Leslie Dornan, was a witness Galvez planned to kill, so Galvez lied to Edwards he only wanted to talk to Leslie. When Edwards lured Leslie to a meeting, Galvez shot her dead and disappears her body. His morals shaken again, Edwards painted a verse in Aramaic on the walk of the crime scene to communicate he was questioning his motives and looking to faith for answers. When Galvez was a suspect, Edwards lied to divert the police’s attention, but it didn’t work for long. When he went underground, his mother was convinced to go along with a lie released to the news: she had a heart attack from the horror of Edwards’ crimes. Edwards was successfully tracked to a meeting with the sleeper, who was prepared to murder him for being a liability. The both of them were arrested, and one of the bomb vests was recovered. Detective Robert Goren interrogating Edwards, appealing to his faith and challenging his recruitment. Edwards recited his brainwashing, until Goren brought up his family, his hesitation with the plans, and watching Leslie get murdered. Edwards confessed he never wanted it to happen, and he led the police to Leslie’s body. Thinking back to saying he didn’t want to kill civilians with Galvez, the NYPD and FBI realized the parade was the target. Galvez was stopped before he could detonate the bomb by shooting him dead.
Edwards was imprisoned on charged of attempted terrorism and being an accessory to Leslie’s murder.
Trivia[]
- Edwards is inspired by John Walker Lindh, an American military veteran who was recruited by the Taliban into Islamic extremism, until he was arrested by American authorities for his participation in multiple insurgent operations.
