Never thought I'd make it through all four episodes but I did. Compelling content with sharp hooks to keep viewers engaged.
At first I was surprised they had so much footage of Jim given that the action largely took place pre-cell phones/pre-cameras being ubiquitous in society. I later realized it wasn't that they had ample footage, but that they were using and re-using the same shots and clips in creative ways- backed by different tones, sequences and music- so that they never felt recycled. Speaks to the production value of the series that such repetitive usage of the same pictures and home videos never derailed the pacing or came across as cheap.
In terms of the story, I found the most fascinating character to be Sierra's grandmother (Jim's third/last wife). I wonder if she didn't have more intel she could have shared but was holding it back out of loyalty to her late husband. I mean I'm just speculating- maybe she just wasn't a big talker. But I'm curious how such a beast could manage to hide so many dark secrets from his partner over multiple decades, when he seemed like such an opportunistic abuser (if not borderline psychotic) with most everyone else. She was a contradiction in that way, by being both a passionate supporter of the investigation while also keeping herself at arm's length from it (perhaps to honor her vows- even in death?). It presents another debate that the series didn't cover head-on: what do you 'owe' your husband who's 15 years gone if you learn he was 100x more monstrous than you had ever known while he was alive? Seems like quite a dilemma. I doubt if she's even answered that question for herself yet.
Enjoyed the series. Much respect to the entire family but particularly Melissa and Jaime Mordecai for bravely facing their biological father's past. Even if it was the "right" thing to do, it couldn't have been easy for them. Hope they can all find some peace now as a broader functional unit- together. Their saga crystallized a key point for me: that while it's important to love and support your family in general, it's also ok to prioritize those who *truly care about you in practice.
At first I was surprised they had so much footage of Jim given that the action largely took place pre-cell phones/pre-cameras being ubiquitous in society. I later realized it wasn't that they had ample footage, but that they were using and re-using the same shots and clips in creative ways- backed by different tones, sequences and music- so that they never felt recycled. Speaks to the production value of the series that such repetitive usage of the same pictures and home videos never derailed the pacing or came across as cheap.
In terms of the story, I found the most fascinating character to be Sierra's grandmother (Jim's third/last wife). I wonder if she didn't have more intel she could have shared but was holding it back out of loyalty to her late husband. I mean I'm just speculating- maybe she just wasn't a big talker. But I'm curious how such a beast could manage to hide so many dark secrets from his partner over multiple decades, when he seemed like such an opportunistic abuser (if not borderline psychotic) with most everyone else. She was a contradiction in that way, by being both a passionate supporter of the investigation while also keeping herself at arm's length from it (perhaps to honor her vows- even in death?). It presents another debate that the series didn't cover head-on: what do you 'owe' your husband who's 15 years gone if you learn he was 100x more monstrous than you had ever known while he was alive? Seems like quite a dilemma. I doubt if she's even answered that question for herself yet.
Enjoyed the series. Much respect to the entire family but particularly Melissa and Jaime Mordecai for bravely facing their biological father's past. Even if it was the "right" thing to do, it couldn't have been easy for them. Hope they can all find some peace now as a broader functional unit- together. Their saga crystallized a key point for me: that while it's important to love and support your family in general, it's also ok to prioritize those who *truly care about you in practice.