'Serial' Episode 8 Recap: Race, Identity, Credibility And 'The Deal With Jay'

"Serial" episode 8, "The Deal With Jay," may not have answered all of our questions, but it was an interesting moment in the popular podcast's exploration of the murder of Hae Min Lee, Adnan's conviction and Jay's testimony. In many ways, though, the latest episode of "Serial" further complicates host/reporter Sarah Koenig's investigation into the 15-year-old case.

Also, the word of the day is "believable."

After the end of episode 7, which mostly looked at the strength of the case against Adnan, Jay would once again be the focal point for Koenig's story. Adnan's conviction for the murder of ex-girlfriend Hae is based on Jay's testimony. Koenig has already examined the inconsistencies in Jay's story and in "The Deal With Jay" she explores what made Jay -- ready for it? -- believable.

Koenig talked to several jurors about the trial and Jay's time on the witness stand. Juror Stella Armstrong said she thought Jay had nothing to gain from acknowledging that he helped Adnan bury Hae's body in Leakin Park. She assumed Jay was also being punished for his involvement but his plea deal did not involve any jail time. For Armstrong, Jay was streetwise, the type of guy people would turn to if they were in trouble.

Koenig also brings in Jim Trainum, a former homicide detective from Washington, D.C., to look at the possibility of coercion and false testimony. Trainum's interest in coerced testimony is a personal one, revealing how he unintentionally forced a confession from a woman who was completely innocent during an interview on "This American Life."

Trainum said the police investigation was pretty solid and the detectives did their job well. The former detective looks at the consistencies in Jay's testimony and how, for the detectives, he completed the "circle." From the annonymous tip to Adnan, Jay was the key that unlocked the investigation. He knew where Hae's car was and other details of the case, which added to his credibility.

As for the inconsistencies, like Petapsco State Park and the cliffs? Well, those were overlooked as they didn't help build the best case possible, argues Trainum. Jay's house was never searched and he did not take a polygraph. What could have been the most useful to Koenig's investigation is the material that's not there; the three hours of Jay's interview that was not recorded. At the end of his investigation into the case, Trainum thinks Jay is minimizing his role in Hae's murder and he is either protecting himself or someone else.

Another reason Jay seemed credible was because he answered every question during the five days he testified and handled himself well despite aggressive cross-examination by defense attorney Christina Gutierrez.

The trial itself features in episode 8. Trials can be boring, but that's also a tactic, an attempt to bog jurors down with details so it will be harder to focus on the most important aspects of the case. In some ways Gutierrez's tactics may have backfired and hurt Adnan's case.

Racial politics and the concept of identity is perhaps the central theme of this episode of "Serial," even more than being believable. In the clips of Gutierrez's questioning of Jay, she seems to be actively yelling at Jay in an accusatory manner. She implies that Jay could have been "stepping out" and perhaps tries to pin the murder on Jay. As Koenig notes, here's a white woman yelling at a black teen in front of jury that's half black.

Race and identity also inform the many ways Jay is described by friends and acquaintances. Be it "goofy," "stoner" or "different," Jay is viewed differently by different people. Some people viewed Jay as tough or intimidating while others said he was gentle, an animal lover and loved the outdoors. Identity is a complicated, multifaceted thing and seeing the numerous interpretations of Jay, and how some of those descriptions fell along racial lines, was perhaps the most interesting segment in this episode of "Serial."

We don't get to hear what Jay had to say to Koenig, but the brief meeting with him resonates with Koenig and her producer, Julie Snyder. Jay is adamant about Adnan's guilt and is, at times, frustrated about having to revisit this moment in his life. Jay declines to be interviewed for "Serial" and, despite being so crucial to the investigation, remains on the periphery.

"Serial" episode 8 ends on a compelling note with a completely new retelling of Jay's involvement by his friend Chris. According to Chris, who was never interviewed despite Jay telling police he told him about the murder, Jay was at a pool hall and the murder occurred at Woodlawn Public Library. Chris said Jay was worried that Adnan would hurt Stephanie and he would do anything to protect his girlfriend.

In the next episode of "Serial" we're going to learn more about what Adnan was going through during the trial and why he chose not to testify.

For more on "Serial," check out our recap of episodes 1-6 and timeline.