For fans deeply entrenched in the Saw universe, the franchise is populated with figures that evoke strong reactions. Beyond the notorious Jigsaw, John Kramer (Tobin Bell), the series boasts a roster of memorable characters including his apprentices Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith), Detective Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor), and the unexpectedly returning Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes). While villains often dominate discussions, it’s time to spotlight a protagonist who garnered significant fan appreciation: Special Agent Peter Strahm Saw his introduction in Saw IV and continued into Saw V. Although these installments are sometimes ranked lower within the Saw saga, they offer considerable depth, particularly through Strahm’s character. For those familiar with Scott Patterson from his beloved role as Luke Danes in Gilmore Girls, his portrayal of Strahm presents a stark contrast, yet it’s a performance within the Saw films that deserves a closer examination.
Peter Strahm’s Introduction in Saw IV
Agent Peter Strahm saw his first Saw crime scene at the outset of Saw IV, alongside his partner Special Agent Lindsey Perez (Athena Karkanis). They are brought into the investigation following the gruesome death of Detective Allison Kerry (Dina Meyer) in a Jigsaw trap. Working alongside Detective Hoffman, Strahm immediately establishes his sharp intellect. His opening line, reciting Jigsaw’s clue, “open the door and you will find me,” sets the stage for the intertwined fates of himself and Officer Daniel Rigg (Lyriq Bent) that culminate at the film’s climax. Rigg’s pursuit leads him to open a door revealing Hoffman’s treachery, while Peter Strahm saw another door unveil the deceased John Kramer.
From his initial scenes, Strahm is depicted as the quintessential, hardened detective. He quickly deduces that Amanda, the known apprentice at that point, lacked the physical capacity to construct Kerry’s intricate trap, as did Kramer himself. This early display of Strahm’s analytical skills is underscored by dramatic irony when Hoffman’s complicity is later revealed. Strahm’s pointed remark to Hoffman, “we’re here to find the person your department couldn’t, Detective,” intensifies the palpable tension between them, foreshadowing their central conflict across Saw IV and its sequel.
Image alt text: Peter Strahm and Lindsey Perez investigate a gruesome crime scene, showcasing their partnership and the grim nature of the Jigsaw case.
In a private moment, Perez informs Strahm that Kerry’s final message hinted at potential danger for two police officers. Despite Perez’s urging to alert Hoffman, Strahm dismisses the idea, asserting his authority and highlighting his distrust of Hoffman. While Strahm and Perez function effectively as a team, Strahm is clearly the dominant figure, a dynamic further emphasized by his reluctance to confide in Hoffman, thus amplifying their existing friction.
The narrative of Saw IV primarily revolves around Rigg’s tests, but Peter Strahm saw himself actively involved in the parallel investigation, tracking Rigg and pursuing the elusive killer. Discovering photographs of Hoffman in Rigg’s apartment, Strahm swiftly recognizes Hoffman’s peril and demands his location. Despite his independent and sometimes headstrong approach, Strahm demonstrates a strong sense of duty towards his colleagues. The discovery of Detective Eric Matthews’ (Donnie Wahlberg) photos further fuels Strahm’s deductions. He accurately concludes that Matthews is still alive, held captive by Amanda since the events of Saw II. Strahm’s profound understanding of Jigsaw’s methods and his network solidifies his position as the lead investigator on the case.
However, Strahm is not infallible, falling prey to a calculated red herring. Noticing photos of Jigsaw’s former wife, Jill Tuck (Betsy Russell), Strahm fixates on her as a prime suspect for the accomplice role. He brings her in for interrogation, initiating a classic good cop/bad cop routine with Perez. This interrogation scene underscores the contrasting approaches of Strahm and Perez. Strahm embodies objectivity, focusing solely on facts and evidence, while Perez displays more empathy and emotional engagement with the victims’ plight. When a forensic scientist becomes a casualty of a triggered crossbow at a crime scene, Perez is visibly shaken, whereas Strahm remains composed, relentlessly pursuing leads to Jigsaw’s new hideout.
During Jill’s recounting of John Kramer’s transformation into Jigsaw, triggered by the tragic loss of their unborn child, Strahm displays a complete lack of empathy, dismissing her narrative as an unconvincing motive. (An interesting detail emerges here: the flashback to Jigsaw’s origin subtly foreshadows Strahm’s ultimate fate. As Kramer unveils a glass box lined with shards, the scene cuts back to Strahm – mirroring the very trap that becomes his demise in Saw V.) Strahm’s interrogation tactics become increasingly aggressive, particularly after Perez is critically wounded by a shrapnel bomb orchestrated by Jigsaw. His demeanor escalates from stern questioning to outright intimidation. He raises his voice, resorts to profanity, and physically corners Jill, venting his fury directly at her.
Image alt text: A tense interrogation scene between Peter Strahm and Jill Tuck, highlighting Strahm’s aggressive tactics and determination to uncover the truth.
“You see this? This is my partner’s blood. She’s fighting for her life right now because of your lunatic husband!”
The focus shifts entirely to Strahm’s visceral reaction to Perez’s injury. His emotional detachment from Jigsaw’s other victims is starkly contrasted by his intense loyalty and protectiveness towards those he cares about. This moment reveals a key aspect of Strahm’s character: a deep-seated emotional repression that manifests as either cold detachment or explosive anger when those close to him are threatened. A fleeting glimpse of vulnerability surfaces as he tenderly holds Perez’s hand as she’s being stretchered away, but this quickly gives way to violent frustration as he trashes his office, redirecting his emotional turmoil back into his investigation.
Deciphering the cryptic clue “four walls build a home,” Strahm pinpoints Jigsaw’s lair. In a characteristic Saw twist, upon entering, Peter Strahm saw the grim tableau of Saw III – the lifeless bodies of Dr. Lynn Denlon (Bahar Soomekh), Amanda, and Jigsaw himself. Jeff Denlon (Angus MacFadyen), Lynn’s grief-stricken husband, raises his gun at Strahm, who, acting in self-defense, fatally shoots him. This violent encounter effectively closes the chapter on the intertwined events of Saw III and IV.
Image alt text: Peter Strahm enters a dimly lit room, gun raised, discovering the aftermath of Jigsaw’s game and the bodies of his victims.
Simultaneously, the film unveils Hoffman’s role as the true Jigsaw accomplice. Hoffman reappears at the lair, trapping Strahm in the room with the chilling pronouncement, “game over.” But, as Saw V demonstrates, the game is far from over for Peter Strahm saw.
Peter Strahm’s Relentless Pursuit in Saw V
Picking up directly where Saw IV concludes, Saw V opens not with a trap victim, but with Peter Strahm saw finding a hidden door. Kicking it open, he discovers a tape recorder.
In Jigsaw’s familiar, analytical tone, the tape describes Strahm’s “insatiable hunger to uncover the truth,” a trait that Jigsaw warns could lead him “deeper into the abyss” – a crucial foreshadowing element. The tape advises Strahm against proceeding through the doorway. Characteristically defiant, and with an understandable expletive, Strahm ignores the warning. He enters, only to be immediately ambushed by a figure in a pig mask – Hoffman. This sets the stage for one of the most visceral and memorable traps in the Saw franchise.
Strahm awakens with his head encased in a glass box, slowly filling with water. This scene is particularly impactful due to Scott Patterson’s commitment to realism, actually performing the underwater sequences himself without a stunt double for the close-ups. In a truly iconic moment of ingenuity and resilience, Strahm retrieves a pen, empties it, and performs an emergency tracheotomy, stabbing it into his neck to breathe. This act of sheer survival is arguably one of the most remarkable displays of resourcefulness in the entire franchise. Hoffman, who clearly intended for Strahm to perish in this trap (evident by the absence of a tape with instructions inside the box), is visibly stunned to find Strahm alive, further escalating their already intense rivalry. The audience, now fully aware of Hoffman’s villainy, understands the heightened stakes of their conflict.
Image alt text: Peter Strahm trapped in the infamous water box, showcasing his struggle for survival and the brutal ingenuity of Jigsaw’s traps.
In a frustrating turn of events, Hoffman is promptly promoted to Detective Lieutenant for his fabricated heroism in ‘saving’ Corbett Denlon (Jeff and Lynn’s daughter, played by Niamh Wilson) and ‘closing’ the Jigsaw case. Conversely, Peter Strahm saw himself removed from the case, placed on medical leave by Agent Dan Erickson (Mark Rolston). Adding to Strahm’s losses, he learns of Perez’s death in the hospital. Strahm is left stripped of his professional standing and grappling with personal grief. A poignant scene depicts him at Perez’s empty, bloodstained hospital bed, flashbacks of her attack replaying in his mind, consumed by guilt and the belief that he could have prevented her death. While Perez’s death serves as a somewhat controversial example of “fridging,” it undeniably amplifies audience sympathy for Strahm and fuels his determination for justice.
Adding insult to injury, Hoffman appears at the hospital. In a hoarse voice, Strahm reveals Perez’s dying words: “Detective Hoffman.” The tense exchange that follows highlights the stark contrast in their survival experiences – Strahm’s near-death in the water trap versus Hoffman’s superficial injuries. Strahm pointedly states, “Jigsaw doesn’t make mistakes,” underscoring the improbability of Hoffman’s unscathed survival when his entire department perished. Strahm’s accusations are clear and direct; he makes no attempt to conceal his deep suspicion of Hoffman. His ability to assemble evidence and formulate accurate theories, barring the Jill Tuck misdirection in Saw IV, remains sharp.
However, the narrative arc of Peter Strahm saw in Saw V takes a slight detour. While Saw IV showcased Strahm’s rapid deductions and decisive actions, Saw V sees him somewhat slower in piecing together the puzzle. As some viewers have noted, he spends a portion of the film essentially retracing the plots of Saw III and IV. This arguably diminishes his portrayal as an exceptionally quick-witted investigator. The audience is already privy to much of this information, and the film interjects somewhat forced flashbacks of Hoffman’s backstory. This criticism, however, is more directed at Hoffman’s character development than Strahm’s actions. It’s important to consider that in Saw V, Strahm is operating in isolation, officially removed from the case, which naturally hinders his progress.
Undeterred, Strahm uses his precinct access to secretly delve into case files. He uncovers the details of Hoffman’s sister’s murder by her boyfriend, who subsequently became the victim of the Jigsaw copycat trap shown at the film’s opening. Strahm deduces that Hoffman staged this trap to avenge his sister’s death under the guise of Jigsaw’s MO, only to be noticed and recruited by Kramer himself. The film visually emphasizes Strahm’s investigative process through numerous shots of him intensely studying files, the gears of his mind visibly turning. During one clandestine visit to the precinct, he encounters Erickson, offering a flimsy excuse about collecting personal belongings before going on leave, a lie that Erickson likely sees through.
Image alt text: Peter Strahm meticulously reviewing police files, driven by his relentless pursuit of the truth and uncovering Hoffman’s secrets.
Peter Strahm saw himself revisiting past Jigsaw crime scenes, a grim tour of the killer’s macabre legacy, attempting to understand Jigsaw’s perspective. These scenes are juxtaposed with flashbacks of Hoffman’s apprenticeship under Jigsaw, creating visual and thematic parallels between Strahm and Hoffman. They are portrayed as opposing forces, detectives on divergent paths – one dedicated to justice, the other corrupted and allied with a killer.
Strahm’s independent investigation leads him to realize Hoffman’s calculated plan to ensure everyone’s death in the final games of Saw III and IV, positioning himself as the hero, a strategy that yielded him a promotion and media acclaim. Overwhelmed by rage, Strahm again lashes out, violently overturning furniture in his frustration. This uncontrolled anger culminates in his fatal decision to confront and arrest Hoffman alone. Throughout Saw IV and V, Strahm consistently operates on instinct and suspicion, often without backup. This time, however, his final choices prove catastrophic.
Entering the location Hoffman directs him to, Strahm discovers a large glass box, identical to his water trap, lined with shards of glass and a tape recorder. The tape commends his dedication and questions whether his “journey of discovery” has yielded any lessons. Strahm is instructed to trust the tape and enter the box to survive. In a fatal act of distrust, Strahm ignores the warning, instead ambushing Hoffman. Their brief confrontation ends with Strahm trapping Hoffman inside the box, triumphantly declaring, “I got you, you motherf*cker.” This moment of perceived victory becomes his undoing. The glass box descends, safely removing Hoffman from the path of the crushing walls, while sealing Strahm’s fate.
While Strahm’s skepticism towards a serial killer’s tapes is understandable, his failure to heed the explicit warnings is his ultimate downfall. Despite surviving the initial tape’s warning in Saw V, he disregards the second, more critical instruction. This final trap is inescapable.
The walls close in, reducing Peter Strahm saw to a gruesome end. The graphic depiction of his arm snapping is a particularly horrifying and memorable death in the franchise. Adding to the tragedy, Erickson, tracking Strahm’s phone (unbeknownst to Strahm, stolen and planted by Hoffman), and coupled with the missing precinct files, concludes that Strahm is the Jigsaw accomplice. Thus, not only does Strahm meet a brutal demise, but his reputation is posthumously tarnished, at least until Hoffman’s eventual exposure.
Image alt text: Peter Strahm’s final moments, a mix of shock and realization as he confronts Hoffman and the inescapable trap that seals his fate.
And so concludes the arc of Peter Strahm saw in the Saw franchise. In a series characterized by bleak outcomes, Strahm’s fate is perhaps not entirely unexpected. His relentless pursuit of the Jigsaw case, driven by his defining traits of persistence and obsession, ultimately leads to his downfall, mirroring the tragic trajectory of other dedicated officers like Detective David Tapp (Danny Glover) from the original Saw. Despite his grim end, Strahm’s intelligence, unwavering drive, and fearless nature resonated with audiences, making him a compelling character to root for. Scott Patterson’s intense portrayal brought a dynamic energy to the role, making Strahm a memorable and impactful figure in the Saw universe. Surviving not one, but two Saw films, including an ‘impossible’ water trap, solidifies Peter Strahm saw himself as a force to be reckoned with within the gruesome world of Jigsaw’s games.
