Created by Richie Mehta, the Amazon Prime series Poacher is based on the investigation of elephant poaching for illegal ivory trading in Kerala, Malaya. A character named Alan becomes involved in the case due to his passion for animals and his dedication to preserving the ecosystem. Richie Mehta drew inspiration from a Kerala-based IT engineer named Jose Louies to create the fictional character Alan Joseph in his work. The incident of animal poaching deeply troubles him, igniting his pursuit for justice. He teams up with Mala Jogi, the forest ranger, under the supervision of Neel Banerjee, the Chief Wildlife Warden of the area. However, as the series progresses, we discover there is more to Alan than meets the eye. He conceals the truth about his involvement in the investigation to protect his family. Roshan Matthew, known for his roles in films like Darlings, delivers a noteworthy performance as Alan in Poacher. Is Alan a liar or a protector? This question will be explored through an in-depth analysis of his character. Let’s delve deeper to find out!
Spoilers Ahead
How Did Alan Get Involved In The Case?
As the series begins, it is evident that Alan has a genuine interest in snakes, including their behavior, venom, and fear of humans. He possesses extensive knowledge on the subject and often poses as a doctor in hospitals to provide information about patients suffering from snake bites. While his family knows him as a computer programmer living in Delhi with a passion for snakes, they are unaware of his secret identity as a wildlife enthusiast who works for the forest department to protect the ecosystem. Upon learning about the ongoing elephant poaching in Kerala, Alan becomes deeply troubled by the situation. When Mala reaches out to him for assistance in tracing the suspect Raaz’s calling patterns to individuals involved in ivory dealing, Alan provides her with software to aid in the operation. However, feeling compelled to take more direct action, Alan decides to travel from Delhi to Kerala to discreetly assist in the operation, as he believes he can contribute significantly to the cause. Recognizing the high-risk nature of the operation, Neel Banerjee, the supervisor in the investigation, instructs Alan to gather any information he can and directly contact him. He talks about the unprecedented scale of the ivory trade, creating a complex chain of command among poachers, buyers, and sellers. Upon arriving in Malayattoor, Alan suggests using pattern analysis to crack the poachers’ contact networks. He wanted to identify the potential locations where the ivory might be delivered. Through Alan’s investigation, it is revealed that Raaz’s sister and her family live in Peringazha, where Raaz often visits, and his phone is activated in a house nearby. As Alan and Mala venture into the forest on their way to get hold of Raaz, they encounter a herd of elephants walking by in front of them. It reinforces Alan’s determination to fight for their protection and serve justice to these magnificent creatures. This encounter serves as a sign that Alan has made the right decision by involving himself in the operation to safeguard the wildlife.
Why Did Alan Decide To Tell His Wife The Truth About His Job?
Alan struggles to maintain a good relationship with his wife at home due to his extensive workload thanks to the investigation. His wife fails to understand why his job as a computer programmer requires him to spend long hours at the office. This often leads to arguments between them. She observes how Alan frequently wakes up in the middle of the night and leaves. His secretive behavior makes her suspect him of cheating. Despite his efforts to balance his responsibilities as a father and husband, Alan’s commitment to his job leaves him unable to attend his son’s PTA meetings or fulfill promises to spend time with his family. His wife, unaware of his true work in the forest department, feels neglected and frustrated by his constant absence. She laments, expressing how Alan had promised to take her and their son to Delhi but failed to do so due to concerns about pollution. He assured her that he would only be away for two weeks in Delhi and would spend the rest of his time with the family, yet he couldn’t keep that promise. Now, even while he’s in Kerala, he struggles to find time to spend at home, which troubles her deeply. As tensions escalate, Alan realizes the importance of honesty in his relationship and decides to confess the truth to his wife. One rainy night, he takes her to the forest, where they witness the beauty of fireflies twinkling in the greens around a stream. Amidst this serene setting, Alan reveals to his wife how he is working for the forest department anonymously, focusing on protecting and conserving the ecosystem by combating elephant poaching. Touched by Alan’s honesty, his wife shows her support and understanding, stressing the importance of being truthful in their relationship. She promises to stand by him, giving him the confidence to carry on with his mission. This honest moment brings them closer together, giving Alan comfort in knowing his wife is on his side.
How Does Alan Manage To Be A Family Man?
After investigating Sasi Illampally’s involvement in the elephant poaching case, Mala and Alan discover that he isn’t directly involved in poaching but has been selling tusks to a man named Morris after taking them from the politician Prabhas Peradi. They made a plan to lure him by pretending to have a vintage car to sell, knowing about the politician’s interest in vintage cars. However, Alan, despite his commitment to the operation, had promised to attend a wedding with his wife and son. Feeling torn between his personal and professional obligations, Alan struggles with balancing both. At the wedding, Alan’s father criticizes his job, considering it mediocre, and encourages him to aspire for credible job opportunities, buy a big house and an expensive car, and become a true man. Alan, however, expresses his belief in living modestly in small houses, as they are good for the environment. Despite the pressure from his family, Alan decides to leave the wedding discreetly to assist Mala in capturing Prabhas, realizing the urgency of the situation. Prabhas gets into the car to discuss his interest in vintage cars, and Alan signals the team. However, Prabhas becomes suspicious and attempts to attack Alan, but Mala and her team swiftly capture him and take him to the police station for further investigation. Alan manages to return to the wedding without his wife noticing his absence, and he tips off the driver to keep quiet. His wife is pleased that he came to the wedding. He knows he’ll have to return to the police station later, so he asks for permission from his wife. She is pleased that he attended the wedding with her and kept his promise, so she understands the urgency of his work and allows him to go.
As Alan and Mala capture Poonam Verma, the main culprit involved in the ivory dealing, their operation comes to an end. Alan is shocked by the cruelty of people who harm animals for their own greed, seeing tusks worth millions redeemed from her house. Alan takes his wife and son to the forest, aiming to instill in his son a sense of responsibility toward preserving the ecosystem. He talks about how nature needs to be balanced to keep everything alive and the earth green. Alan thinks humans are the most dangerous in the forest because wild animals usually don’t hurt people unless they’re scared. He tells his son to respect animals and keep them safe. This shows that Alan isn’t just a good citizen and husband but also a caring father who tries to influence his son to keep the wildlife safe.
