Stockholm syndrome isn't real. Details were left out of the singular case the theory was built on. The police were handling the situation badly and the hostage was more worried about Police action getting her killed than about the hostage taker killing her.
Its real, but its not officially recognised... also, I was just using it as a term because, I fear, everyone knows what it means. It's easier to use the term Stockholm syndrome, rather than saying; i feel like the character sympathises with the person holding them hostage because it may be putting a strain on their mental capacity, so they're trying to sympathise with them to make their situation not seem as dire as it actually is??
It actually isnt real. Thats what "not officially recognised" means. What you are referring to is a "fawn" response to abuse. There are four "f responses" in human survival. Flight, Fight, Freeze, and Fawn. Fawn is the one in which the victim attempts to appease their abuser. Its like when a dog rolls over on its belly to try to make a more aggressive dog leave it alone.
It is the response most often seen in intimate partner violence relationships.
Okay, so the only thing I can think of is either a severe case of Stockholm Syndrome OR he dies OR by some miracle, he does a whole 180 flip and that's how he's forgiven, but I doubt it.