Characters
You're a bit of a puzzlement to me these days, Wendell. You don't seem to be your old cruel self anymore. And I had such grand plans for your future.
— Dudley · L.A. Confidential
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker expresses disappointment that Wendell seems less cruel than before, presenting his former harshness as a quality worth encouraging. The reference to grand plans makes the complaint unsettling: what might look like personal improvement to others appears here as a loss of promise.
Context reviewed