The Idiot - Chapter 4

The podcast delves into M. Gessen's attempt to understand her cousin Allen's motive for hiring someone to kill his ex-wife, Priscilla. Allen, now incarcerated, agrees to speak with Gessen, offering a convoluted narrative involving Russian assets and money laundering, which Gessen finds unconvincing. The conversation evolves into Allen's personal history, from his privileged childhood in Moscow to his struggles as an immigrant in the U.S. Gessen explores two theories: Allen's need to be a problem solver, particularly for his mother, Lena, and the concept of "madness for two," suggesting Lena's influence and shared delusion about Priscilla's role in their lives contributed to Allen's actions. Despite Allen's attempts to portray himself as a loving father seeking reconciliation, Gessen concludes he is still lying and guilty.