What if Father Tanner and Dennis Grimes were the same man?

[Ked]

One of the most common complaints about Season 9 is how disconnected Sammy Jo was from the main plot, and suddenly, I thought up a potential solution: what if her new love interest, Father Tanner McBride, was actually Dennis Grimes in disguise?

I mean, Dennis was involved in the search for the Nazi treasure that was originally thought to have been buried around Delta Rho, maybe he thought romancing the ranch owner would offer him an excuse to go poking around the place, especially after the "Scuba" guy made such a mess himself by shooting Sammy Jo and nearly burning the place down.

Plus, another reason could be that getting close to Sammy Jo would be a way to get info on the Carringtons without getting too close to the family, and potentially getting recognized by anyone who'd notice the resemblance between him and Daddy Roger. That is, of course, if we kept in the detail that Dennis is supposed to look an awful lot like his father.

In fact, this could mean that Sammy Jo could be with Fallon and Krystina in the tunnels when they're ambushed by Dennis.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Good idea!

 

[Alexis]

But does he fake being a Priest? I don't know how that would work? Like there's going undercover and then there's doing 5 or 6 years at seminary? A lot of work for even the most dedicated crook. Unless he kills a Priest and assumes his identity which is, a lot, but maybe that could soapy?

 

[Ked]

Good idea!

Thanks!

 

[Ked]

But does he fake being a Priest? I don't know how that would work? Like there's going undercover and then there's doing 5 or 6 years at seminary? A lot of work for even the most dedicated crook. Unless he kills a Priest and assumes his identity which is, a lot, but maybe that could soapy?

I'll admit, I haven't worked out the details, but maybe Dennis Grimes was *already* a priest when he was approached to help find the collection. Maybe after a life of juvenile delinquency, he "found his calling" and joined the priesthood, but then was contacted by whoever was in charge of the search, and after some major cajoling/manipulating, regressed to his old mindset and agreed to help out. Which could make him more tragic in that he found peace, only to be pushed back into a life of crime and hatred.

Then there's the issue of his name... either he gives Sammy Jo a false name... or when he joined the priesthood, he had his name legally changed. The latter might work better.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

But does he fake being a Priest? I don't know how that would work? Like there's going undercover and then there's doing 5 or 6 years at seminary? A lot of work for even the most dedicated crook. Unless he kills a Priest and assumes his identity which is, a lot, but maybe that could soapy?

I'll admit, I haven't worked out the details, but maybe Dennis Grimes was *already* a priest when he was approached to help find the collection. Maybe after a life of juvenile delinquency, he "found his calling" and joined the priesthood, but then was contacted by whoever was in charge of the search, and after some major cajoling/manipulating, regressed to his old mindset and agreed to help out. Which could make him more tragic in that he found peace, only to be pushed back into a life of crime and hatred.

Then there's the issue of his name... either he gives Sammy Jo a false name... or when he joined the priesthood, he had his name legally changed. The latter might work better.

He did time in prison, and his mama was abusive so he cut off contact with her, turns his back on his past. Became a priest, then was collared (so to speak) to search for the Collection, fell for Sammy Jo (sincerely or not). It would be more tragic if he was compromised than just plain evil.

But I want Alexis to (accidentally) shoot Dennis/Tanner to death in Season 10 after he'd been stalking he for months -- so he can't be too nice.

I, too, sometimes like to blend characters: Daniel Reece and Brady Lloyd, as well as Lady Ashley with Frankie the Whore, et al...

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

 

[Monzo]

Sammy Jo and Tanner's chance encounter in the hospital with the torn-apart stuffed rabbit could certainly have been arranged by Tanner. It would have made sense if the lady in the limousine wanted more than one informant, not just Handler with the police but also someone with the Carringtons. However, I would have preferred it if Tanner/Dennis had been more of a torn man and had actually found God in prison, thus wanting to become a priest with a new identity. The bad guy in the story should have been Tanner's boss, I mean the priest who was always annoyed that Sammy Jo was interested in Tanner. He should have been on the payroll of the lady in the limousine and should have influenced Tanner/Dennis to go along with the whole scam.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

I really think they should have done this. But it took @Ked to think of it!

 

[Ked]

I really think they should have done this. But it took @Ked to think of it!

Heh, awwwww. See? I do come up with good ideas once in a blue moon.