The revelation that Kirby Reed, the final girl of Scream 4, is now an FBI agent creates 7 plot holes for in the Scream franchise. According to Kirby herself, she joined the FBI sometime before the events of Scream (2022), displaying a strong interest in the Ghostface killings due to her own traumatic experiences. Following the events of Scream 4, there was an 11-year gap leading up to the events of Scream (2022), during which Kirby had either relocated or been assigned to the Atlanta, GA, field office for the FBI.
Scream 4
Scream 6
However, Detective Wayne Bailey, one of the five identified Ghostface killers in the film, claimed that Kirby had been dismissed from the FBI due to emotional problems and erratic behavior. While Bailey’s statement could be seen as an attempt to shift suspicion away from himself, it does offer a potential explanation as to why Kirby appeared alone and did not assume control of the investigation on behalf of the FBI. While Kirby’s involvement with the FBI proves helpful in catching the killers in Scream 6, it also introduces several plot holes and unanswered questions due to the timing of her FBI career.
7 How Did Kirby Not Find Richie & Amber In Scream 5 (But Found Greg & Jason)?
Kirby mentioned that she had been following the online activity of the first two Ghostface killers of Scream 6, Greg and Jason, which is why she came to New York when they were murdered. However, she could not find any mention of the Ghostface shrine under their names. Detective Bailey could have potentially concealed this information from her, but based on his remarks, it appears that he wanted someone to discover it or publicly announce that he had found it. There must have been some trail or clue leading to the theater’s connection, given that Gale Weathers was able to connect Greg and Jason to the shrine.
Kirby would have been aware of the standard methods employed to follow the information on a specific crime. Considering her intense obsession with the Ghostface cases, it is reasonable to assume that she would have utilized every available tool at her disposal to locate information on the cases. This makes it curious that she didn’t also see Ritchie Kirsch or Amber Freeman’s online activity. They stated in Scream (2022) that they met online and exchanged messages on a public message board. Kirby should have seen that activity. Even if she had missed their online activities, she would have undoubtedly learned about the murders and should have intervened at that point.
6 Kirby Failing To Return To Woodsboro For Scream 5’s Killings Make No Sense
Kirby might not have been able to actively intervene or conduct investigations during the Ghostface killings in 2022. Still, she would probably have been aware of the events and their impact. Woodsboro was her hometown, meaning she had connections with numerous individuals in the area. In fact, Kirby attended high school around the same time as Samantha Carpenter, one of the survivors of Scream (2022). Although they may not have personally met during their time in school, the small-town dynamics would have ensured that they were aware of each other’s existence.
Given Kirby’s personal investment in the Ghostface cases, it would be expected that she would return to Woodsboro and offer her assistance in Scream (2022). Woodsboro held sentimental value for her, and she would have felt compelled to contribute her knowledge and expertise. Additionally, Kirby had established relationships with Gale, the former Chief Dewey Riley, and Deputy Judy Hicks. Their familiarity with Kirby would have likely resulted in a warm welcome and a willingness to collaborate, in contrast to the typical reluctance of local law enforcement to involve the FBI in their cases.
5 Would Kirby Really Be Doing Interviews With YouTubers In Scream 5?
As an FBI agent, Kirby would have been subject to various laws restricting when and how she could talk to the public. The Hatch Act, The Privacy Act, and other laws and regulations impose restrictions on the public political activities and job-related discussions of employees working in federal agencies. Additionally, it is highly likely that Kirby held a security clearance as part of her role within the FBI. Security clearances are granted to individuals who require access to classified information during the course of their duties. These clearances come with stringent rules and protocols, and one of the fundamental principles is maintaining confidentiality regarding ongoing cases and sensitive information.
With these considerations in mind, Kirby would have faced significant constraints when it came to discussing her cases or engaging in public discourse. Discussing her work or even personal experience with the Ghostface case with a well-known YouTuber would have required approval from the appropriate authorities. The clearance process often involves thoroughly reviewing and vetting individuals’ activities, contacts, and affiliations to ensure that classified information remains protected. On top of this, the FBI and other agencies tend to have policies restricting discussions of ongoing cases, like Ghostface. Given all this, It’s unlikely she would have been permitted to talk to someone on social media in Scream (2022).
4 How Did Gale Not Know That Kirby Became An FBI Agent?
In Scream 6, Tara punches Gale when she first comes to report on the Ghostface New York killings. The reason behind this confrontation is that Gale has, once again, exploited the trauma of Ghostface survivors for a true crime best-seller. Her books are sensationalized but well-researched in terms of facts. It is evident that Gale possesses a knack for thorough research, as demonstrated by her ability to uncover various crucial details throughout the Scream franchise, such as the theater’s location in Scream 6. Given her astute investigative skills, it is perplexing that Gale is surprised by Kirby’s transition into an FBI agent.
Gale almost certainly had her own alerts and tracking mechanisms in place to monitor survivors’ activities and stay informed about any new killings. That makes her apparent lack of knowledge regarding Kirby’s career choice after Scream 4 very unlikely, given the ease with which such information can be obtained, even for a layperson. This inconsistency in Gale’s awareness of Kirby’s professional trajectory doesn’t fit with Gale’s usually impeccable research. It is just improbable that Gale would be unaware of such a significant development in Kirby’s life, particularly considering her propensity for delving into the lives of survivors and the intricate details of the Ghostface cases.
3 It’s Unbelievable That Kirby Didn’t Reach Out When Dewey and Judy Died
It is plausible that Kirby may have had reasons for not wanting to return to Woodsboro during the Ghostface killings of Scream (2022), such as personal concerns or being engaged in another ongoing case. However, it is deeply implausible that she would not have reached out to Sidney Prescott and Gale Weathers upon hearing about the deaths of Dewey and Judy. Kirby had a longstanding connection with both Dewey and Judy, as they were members of her local law enforcement and part of her close-knit community. Furthermore, considering Kirby’s own transition into becoming a law enforcement officer herself, it would have only deepened the bond she had with Dewey and Judy.
Given this significant loss in Scream (2022), it is difficult to fathom that she would not have at least made the effort to stop by for a day or two on bereavement leave to attend the funeral and offer her support. The absence of such a gesture seems unlikely, considering the small-town dynamics and the sense of solidarity that typically arises in times of tragedy. Kirby may not have wanted to return, but she would have likely felt obligated to do so, given her personal history and interest in the Ghostface killings.
2 Kirby Should Have Known Something Was Wrong With Wayne Bailey
Detective Wayne Bailey and his two psychotic children, Quinn Bailey and Ethan Landry, were revealed to be three of the five Ghostface killers in Scream 6. It turns out that the three were the family of Richie Kirsch, who Samantha had killed in Scream (2022) after he revealed himself as one of the two Ghostface killers. The Baileys were driven by a desire for revenge for Richie’s murder and to frame Samantha as the New York Ghostface. Detective Bailey’s behavior had been erratic from the beginning. However, this was initially dismissed as a manifestation of his grief over Quinn, who appeared to have died early in the film.
However, as an FBI agent, Kirby would have undergone training to recognize behavioral indicators of individuals who may pose a threat or exhibit unusual behavior. Her familiarity with the symptoms of trauma and her personal journey after Scream 4 should have made her more attuned to the warning signs displayed by Detective Bailey. It is somewhat perplexing that Kirby, who had dealt with similar traumatic experiences herself, did not display a higher level of suspicion or investigate the detective’s behavior more thoroughly.
1 It’s Unbelievable Kirby Didn’t Know How Randy Meeks Died
Kirby would have accumulated a considerable knowledge regarding the Ghostface case over her nearly ten years in the FBI. As she claimed to have been deeply involved in investigating the Ghostface killings throughout her career, it stands to reason that she should have been well-acquainted with the main details of the case, including the manner of death for the primary targets of Ghostface. Moreover, Kirby should have been aware that the Scream 6 New York Ghostface killings were specifically targeting survivors and relatives of past victims and killers. Considering her dedication to the case, she should have particularly studied the deaths of these individuals and their connections to previous Ghostface incidents.
Therefore, it’s somewhat unbelievable that Kirby appeared unaware of how Scream 2 victim Randy Meeks, the uncle of current survivors Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin, was killed. While it is plausible that Kirby may not recall every single detail of each victim’s death, given the extensive number of victims throughout the series, she should have been paying special attention to the deaths of individuals linked to the current Ghostface targets. The fact that Mindy had to provide Kirby with an explanation of Randy’s death in Scream 6 indicates a gap in Kirby’s knowledge or attention to the specific circumstances surrounding these key individuals.
