JMO. Even I was slightly sympathetic towards DSC, while totally understanding the fear this double murderer inflicted on the inhabitants of PA. A minute ago, I understood the phenomenon, at least for myself.
I loved the books by LeCarre, Graham Greene, and Robert Ludlum. Does anyone happen to remember the general plot of all Ludlum's novels? I copied it from the Wikipedia, it describes them well.
"Ludlum's novels typically feature one heroic man, or a small group of crusading individuals, in a struggle against powerful adversaries whose intentions and motivations are evil and who are capable of using political and economic mechanisms in frightening ways. The world in his writings is one where global corporations, shadowy military forces and government organizations all conspired to preserve (if it was evil) or undermine (if it was law-abiding) the status quo." (And the hero usually wins).
Some other authors (partially Forsyth in his "the Day of the Jackal", and definitely, John Grisham in "The Rainmaker") exploit similar concept. Those of us who were raised on these books fall for the prototype, only the prototypes are seldom to be met in real life.
So it is early imprinting (the recognizable plot) plus the substitution of a heroic idealist who is no angel but whose cause is just by a resourceful planner who is a criminal caring only for himself.
But the plot is catching. (And honestly, this photo, with the arrestee so small and the group around him, so huge, doesn't help.)
So I hope that eventually, most people will understand that we fell for a fake prototype resembling a familiar hero. DC is not devoid of certain talents but his adventure is self-serving. No one made him kill a woman in front of her kids, and I think that with time, we'll realize that DC in not even close to David Spaulding or Jason Bourne. DC might end up being somewhat similar to BK, only smarter.
(My own opinion.)
