Expert explains mind-blowing reason why Jamie is only offered half a sandwich by psychologist in Adolescence

An expert has revealed the mind-blowing reason behind a detail in Adolescence which left a few viewers confused.

People can't stop talking about the hard-hitting series which made it's debut on Netflix last week, hence why it's shot to the number one spot in the UK's top ten.

While it tackles serious issues such as incels, the online 'manosphere' and toxic masculinity head on, there are also some subtler moments in Adolescence to analyse too.

And we're not just talking about how production managed to 'get a camera through' a pane of glass or the hidden meanings behind emojis which protagonist Jamie (Owen Cooper) uses.

Although some viewers might have not clocked onto the significance of this moment, a host of people have been pointing out that the 13-year-old is offered only half a sandwich in episode three.

The murder suspect, whose parents are played by acting legends Stephen Graham and Christine Tremarco, is sitting down with psychologist Briony (Erin Doherty) when she presents 50 percent of a butty.

To make matters even worse, it's filling is cheese and pickle, which Jamie isn't a fan of.

The pair have a chat while the teen is being held at the young offenders facility and Briony decides to offer him the snack, as well as a hot chocolate with marshmallows.

This selection of refreshments might seem like a minor detail to some, but it turns out it's a lot more significant than you might think.

The food and drink offered to Jamie is a lot more significant than viewers might think (Netflix)

Don't worry if you didn't cotton onto it though, as a host of Brits took to social media to complain that they didn't have a clue about what was going on either.

Taking to Reddit, one person said: "Why did the psychologist on Adolescence make that disgusting cheese and pickle sandwich?"

Another added: "I'm so stuck on the pickle sandwich! I know he was obviously losing his composure. But at the beginning he said he hated pickles. And then he loses his fake composure has a couple tantrums.

"Tries to intimidate and then just sits down and eats the pickle sandwich!"

So, was Briony simply a few sandwiches short of a picnic, or did she purposely only offer half of one with an unfavourable filling to Jamie?

According to psychologist Dannielle Haig, the move was an attempt to gain an understanding of Jamie's thought process and responses.

"The half-sandwich, particularly the fact that it contains something Jamie dislikes, could be a way of testing his response," the expert told Tyla.

The psychologist is using these methods to test the teenage protagonist's response, according to expert Dannielle Haig (Netflix)

"Does he push it away? Does he eat it to be polite? Does he comment on it? These reactions provide insight into his personality," Haig said.

"If he simply tolerates it without complaint, it may suggest a history of feeling powerless and being accustomed to having things done to him rather than for him."

Haig explained that if he had outright refused the sandwich, it could have 'indicated defiance' or perhaps a 'need to exert control in a situation where he has very little power'.

"It’s a clever way of gauging how Jamie sees himself in relation to authority figures and whether he feels able to assert his own needs," Haig added.

So, why did Briony go the whole hog with the hot chocolate and add some marshmallows on it for Jamie then?

"Everything in a psychological assessment is deliberate; small actions can tell you a great deal about a person’s mindset, and this is no exception," Haig continued.

"The hot chocolate is a comforting, almost maternal offering. It’s something associated with warmth, safety, and childhood, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of Jamie’s situation.

"By giving it to him, the psychologist may be trying to create a sense of familiarity and ease, making it more likely that he will open up."

You can watch Adolescence on Netflix now.