This is one of the best documentaries we have ever watched. The director did an excellent job of making you feel a certain way in the first half of the series and then completely flip the switch in the second half. You cannot make up the crazy crap that happened in this case! The only part of this documentary I was not a fan of was the parts showing the town play being discussed with the actors and the play itself. I get why the director put it in there because by the end of the play, one of the family members finally got to see/hear all of the facts of the case. So I get it, but found that aspect of it quite boring and almost unnecessary. Whatever you do, do NOT start googling the case, I know it gets slow sometimes, but hang in there because it's so worth it! This case will sit with me for a bit. It's insane!
44 Reviews
The theatre production is critically important to this documentary.
Good-Will28 August 2022
For the people that didn't understand why it was included then gave up before the final episode: you missed something that the rest of us would say was amazing.
Not the quality of the production itself, which seemed well done, but for the impact it had on the locals and particularly on the families involved, some of whom were in the audience.
I'll admit that I did wonder why they were spending any time on it, but it paid off spectacularly.
Most people would have realised that Burt had employed some fairly dodgy interviewing techniques by about episode 4, but seeing his reaction to both the documentary and what he had been told about the play was illuminating.
Not the quality of the production itself, which seemed well done, but for the impact it had on the locals and particularly on the families involved, some of whom were in the audience.
I'll admit that I did wonder why they were spending any time on it, but it paid off spectacularly.
Most people would have realised that Burt had employed some fairly dodgy interviewing techniques by about episode 4, but seeing his reaction to both the documentary and what he had been told about the play was illuminating.
You can't make this stuff up! Facts stranger than fiction
paul-allaer6 July 2022
As Episode 1 of "Mind Over Murder" (2022 release; 6 episodes of about 55 min each) opens, we find ourselves in a remote small Nebraska town called Beatrice, population 12,669. Various Beatrice residents introduce themselves and speak directly into the camera. Then we learn that in February, 1985, a 68 yr old grandma called Helen Wilson was brutally raped and murdered, causing a seismic shock in the small community. Who could've done such a horrible and heinous crime? At this point we are 10 min into Episode 1.
Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary of Nanfy Wang ("One Child Nation"). Here she reassesses the events of February, 1985 and how it all plays out afterwards. I don't want to go into more specifics in case you are not fully aware of this case. Let's just say that there are quite a number of "twists" along the way, I mean you can't make this stuff up because it wouldn't be believable. Indeed once again these facts are stranger than fiction. The film makers do a good job of covering all the different possibilities. It's truly like making a 1,500 pieces puzzle, one piece at the time.
"Mind Over Murder" premiered a couple of weeks ago on HBO and a new episode comes out every Monday (and then stream on HBO Max). We are now 3 episodes into it, and I can't wait to see the remaining 3 episodes. If you love true crime and a good documentary, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary of Nanfy Wang ("One Child Nation"). Here she reassesses the events of February, 1985 and how it all plays out afterwards. I don't want to go into more specifics in case you are not fully aware of this case. Let's just say that there are quite a number of "twists" along the way, I mean you can't make this stuff up because it wouldn't be believable. Indeed once again these facts are stranger than fiction. The film makers do a good job of covering all the different possibilities. It's truly like making a 1,500 pieces puzzle, one piece at the time.
"Mind Over Murder" premiered a couple of weeks ago on HBO and a new episode comes out every Monday (and then stream on HBO Max). We are now 3 episodes into it, and I can't wait to see the remaining 3 episodes. If you love true crime and a good documentary, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.
Unique
shefts64126 July 2022
There are a few things I don't like about it, but many that I do. It's artfully produced and certainly not a waste of time. At some point I think the town folk even mention that the series is bringing a lot of money to Beatrice, and are urged to cooperate as much as possible with the crew. In the end you get a story full of candor, contradiction and absurdity in equal parts.
Above all, it manages to humanize all the characters despite the extraordinary tale, which itself is quite a feat. Even when they disagree you find a way to relate to each of them. Seeing the same picture from different perspectives is important as you look to explore the key question posed throughout the series: What do you do when the truth you've believed for 35 years may actually be false? There are no easy answers for the individuals, much less for the community.
Above all, it manages to humanize all the characters despite the extraordinary tale, which itself is quite a feat. Even when they disagree you find a way to relate to each of them. Seeing the same picture from different perspectives is important as you look to explore the key question posed throughout the series: What do you do when the truth you've believed for 35 years may actually be false? There are no easy answers for the individuals, much less for the community.
Remarkable
chughesbabb30 July 2022
A mark of intelligence is the willingness and ability to change one's perception as new information becomes available. It's rarely seen among group thinkers, be it a tight knit neighborhood or a virtual community with an opinion. The movie Mind over Murder is remarkable when we see people literally putting themselves in others' situations, changing their minds and imparting their collective gained wisdom on others.
As I suspected those slamming the series did not watch through to the end. At first I too was put off a bit by the pacing and the play aspect, but then I began to understand the reason for it. By the last episode I knew I was seeing something truly unique and a project that tangibly led to healing in this small town.
The true crime murder component of the movie is a vehicle for what I saw as something far more meaningful which is humans softening and beginning to understand one another in the face of heightened emotion and years of pain and solidifying opinions. It is something the residents of our world need so much. This docuseries was life changing for so many people who were in pain. I felt that while watching the last episode. Are there moments of cringe? Yes. But they serve a purpose. Give it a chance. We learn in the movie that some people simply don't want to hear the truth after investing so many years in a certain way of thought. I recommend softening, opening your mind and then diving in to this.
As I suspected those slamming the series did not watch through to the end. At first I too was put off a bit by the pacing and the play aspect, but then I began to understand the reason for it. By the last episode I knew I was seeing something truly unique and a project that tangibly led to healing in this small town.
The true crime murder component of the movie is a vehicle for what I saw as something far more meaningful which is humans softening and beginning to understand one another in the face of heightened emotion and years of pain and solidifying opinions. It is something the residents of our world need so much. This docuseries was life changing for so many people who were in pain. I felt that while watching the last episode. Are there moments of cringe? Yes. But they serve a purpose. Give it a chance. We learn in the movie that some people simply don't want to hear the truth after investing so many years in a certain way of thought. I recommend softening, opening your mind and then diving in to this.
That Burdette guy should be put in jail as these poor people were
MNR87BPF29 August 2022
Can't stand how ignorant that Burdette guy is. He should spend as much time in jail as these people had to. This guys clearly has no empathy whatsoever. Just protecting his image and lying to himself and the people around him. Should be ashamed.
Other than that pretty interesting documentary. It took some time to really take me in. But after two episodes it started to get twisted. Before that I didn't really care a lot.
Sad that this was possible. To just put people in that position by pressure.
It's annoying that the review needs a certain amount of words. I don't know what to say more. I recommend it if you don't know what to watch else and you're into true crime.
Other than that pretty interesting documentary. It took some time to really take me in. But after two episodes it started to get twisted. Before that I didn't really care a lot.
Sad that this was possible. To just put people in that position by pressure.
It's annoying that the review needs a certain amount of words. I don't know what to say more. I recommend it if you don't know what to watch else and you're into true crime.
With One Episode Remaining...
normaxjean-2375319 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I went into this docu-series with no prior knowledge of the case, so with one episode remaining I'm not sure if there'll be any more twists or turns or how it's going to play out, but a few observations so far:
I think this series does a really good job of giving us a microcosm of American right now though. Corruption at the top, ego and lack of empathy, no accountability, mental illness, etc...
Additionally, some of the "6" being led to believe a lie and the community members and family members of Helen Wilson still believing that lie despite all of the evidence proving otherwise is so eerily similar to Trump supporters believing in his big lie and not being able to snap out of it. It just goes to show how stupid so many normal Americans are. The inability to use critical thinking over magical thinking is a terrifying thing that shows that common sense is not really all that common. It's depressing.
- it's difficult to watch from a subject matter. It's crystal clear within seconds of hearing many of the "6" talk that we're dealing with people who suffer from mental illness and/or handicap. To watch them be taken advantage just feels dirty.
- I'm going to assume that there was no true accountability for those who did this to them: the DA, the "hero" cop, or the psychologist. Just another in a long line of examples of corruption and misdoing in institutions that we're supposed to trust. I don't know whether it's more depressing or infuriating.
- the community play aspect of the series does nothing for me. Essentially feels like filler. Filler that is annoying and drops this series down a notch or two.
I think this series does a really good job of giving us a microcosm of American right now though. Corruption at the top, ego and lack of empathy, no accountability, mental illness, etc...
Additionally, some of the "6" being led to believe a lie and the community members and family members of Helen Wilson still believing that lie despite all of the evidence proving otherwise is so eerily similar to Trump supporters believing in his big lie and not being able to snap out of it. It just goes to show how stupid so many normal Americans are. The inability to use critical thinking over magical thinking is a terrifying thing that shows that common sense is not really all that common. It's depressing.
A True Crime Triumph
wholelottalove-9356230 July 2022
This is one of the few series that I feel really used the length to build an emotional story for the audience too. The ending episode had a feeling a catharsis for me as well. You'll see some complaints about the length, but it's necessary to look at this from all angles. The individuals testimony were heartfelt.
Burt Searcy is an asshole though, and the guy in the play did him perfect. Looking at his phone because that's easier than facing the pain he caused these people just because they were "undesirables." He wants to talk about how this is hurtful to Helen's family, this is just capitalizing on their pain, but who's the one who inserted himself into this and whined about his legacy to the cameras? He didn't "solve" this case because he's a kind person, he did it because he wanted to live forever through it and erase his cloud that came with leaving the Beatrice PD. A very repulsive man.
Burt Searcy is an asshole though, and the guy in the play did him perfect. Looking at his phone because that's easier than facing the pain he caused these people just because they were "undesirables." He wants to talk about how this is hurtful to Helen's family, this is just capitalizing on their pain, but who's the one who inserted himself into this and whined about his legacy to the cameras? He didn't "solve" this case because he's a kind person, he did it because he wanted to live forever through it and erase his cloud that came with leaving the Beatrice PD. A very repulsive man.
All Over the Place
algrantham-4924820 July 2022
Would have benefited greatly from cutting all the local theatre stuff. It doesn't add anything to the story and appears to be there purely for stylistic flourish. Check out the documentary Procession to see a similar artistic approach that actually enhanced the subject matter.
Beyond that, it's hard to follow along with a true crime doc when only one episode is released per week, especially one in which the filmmaker isn't content with telling the details of the story succinctly. There's a lot of obfuscation at work here, likely in an attempt to create suspense, but things just become muddled.
Very surprised with the glowing critical response.
Beyond that, it's hard to follow along with a true crime doc when only one episode is released per week, especially one in which the filmmaker isn't content with telling the details of the story succinctly. There's a lot of obfuscation at work here, likely in an attempt to create suspense, but things just become muddled.
Very surprised with the glowing critical response.
Episode 6 Blew Me Away
mrjeffmoore1 August 2022
There are some reviews on here complaining about the length of this series, and that it could have been shorter. Stick with it until the end, because it all comes together in an explosive and emotional finale. Watching the family of Helen Wilson finally realize that the story they have been told was in fact wrong was just heart wrenching. The families of the victim and the families of the people falsely incarcerated for the crime come together by the end, and you can finally see generations of affected family members reach some sort of peace and closure. As a huge true crime fan, this one really hit the mark.
Strange phenomena of confessing to something you didn't do!
billsoccer26 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is a study of things you've seen/heard of before - unless you're too insular. A murder occurs, the local cop finds 6 reasonable persons of interest and in the process of interviewing them, makes all the mistakes a small town cop made in the late 20th century. So 5 confessions follow - it becomes obvious that some were made because they were scared - and details were inadvertently given to them by the lead cop. Others were just mentally low functioning so could be talked into most anything.
Convictions follow, years go by and new lawyers test for DNA, which ultimately identifies a now-dead new suspect. Surprisingly, this doesn't convince a lot of the locals, including bizzarly - one of the 6 convicted, who long continues to insist she was there! The 6 are ultimately released/pardoned and win a whopping settlement.
Like I said - you've likely seen this story before, but not likely involving so many people, nor so many from the community, and over such a long period of time.
A couple flaws already pointed out include the weird circumstance of a play being put on in the town, the actors playing out the story, based on trial accounts. Many of the principals are invited and attend. In fact, this seems to convince some of the injustice of the original verdicts! The other flaw is the length - much of the material is presented multiple times, and the flow of the story is interrupted. This could have been cut dow to 3-4 episodes.
Convictions follow, years go by and new lawyers test for DNA, which ultimately identifies a now-dead new suspect. Surprisingly, this doesn't convince a lot of the locals, including bizzarly - one of the 6 convicted, who long continues to insist she was there! The 6 are ultimately released/pardoned and win a whopping settlement.
Like I said - you've likely seen this story before, but not likely involving so many people, nor so many from the community, and over such a long period of time.
A couple flaws already pointed out include the weird circumstance of a play being put on in the town, the actors playing out the story, based on trial accounts. Many of the principals are invited and attend. In fact, this seems to convince some of the injustice of the original verdicts! The other flaw is the length - much of the material is presented multiple times, and the flow of the story is interrupted. This could have been cut dow to 3-4 episodes.
Definitely worth watching
sarahlietz26 July 2022
I have never reviewed before and am writing this positive review to counteract the effects of the premature negative reviews. This documentary was fascinating and horrifying. I really recommend giving it a chance. Most of the negative reviews I read, whatever their complaint, were written after only two or three episodes. Stick with it! This doc was thoughtfully constructed to reveal all the various elements of the story at the exact right time. Above all, I am thoroughly impressed with the director's success at getting so many meaningful interviews from all points of view at various stages of the project. What fabulous work!
Good, but...
twin-chaos17 August 2022
This is a good documentary due to the subject matter, however it definitely drags on too long. The focus on the theater players is frustrating because it takes you out of the main story, it was unnecessary. Also, the conspiracies brought forth by Searcy, some of the police and the victims family are absolutely ludicrous. It's absolutely astonishing how incompetency and ignorance can ruin so many lives. Humans need to be better and do better!
Theater Aspect Ruins It
davidlohr26 July 2022
Good doc, surprising in areas, but too long
HorrorDonLeash14 August 2022
Okay. Midway through episode 3 I wanted to turn it off, but it reeled me back in. When I first started watching this I was highly convinced of one outcome and then my mind was completely opened to a totally different outcome. It definitely takes a sharp turn. So because of that, I liked it. But there were major things I strongly disliked and I thought ultimately impacted the docuseries.
Firstly, it is WAY too long. I would've accepted 2-4 episodes. That's al we needed. Secondly, the play they continued to focus on. I hated the theater part of it. I after a few episodes I ended up fast forwarding through al of the play/theater parts. Thats not really what I signed on to watch. While I understand why the play was important in the end, I don't think we needed to hear about it so much. They should've just mentioned there was a play and what the play was about and then highlighted why the play was important to some of these people's lives.
But all in all, I liked it. I didn't love it, but it was worth watching. The story is a heartbreaking insight to what happens when the system fails and reminds you that a few bad apples really can ruin many peoples' lives. It reminds us we're not safe from injustice due to greed and pride. None of us are safe.
Firstly, it is WAY too long. I would've accepted 2-4 episodes. That's al we needed. Secondly, the play they continued to focus on. I hated the theater part of it. I after a few episodes I ended up fast forwarding through al of the play/theater parts. Thats not really what I signed on to watch. While I understand why the play was important in the end, I don't think we needed to hear about it so much. They should've just mentioned there was a play and what the play was about and then highlighted why the play was important to some of these people's lives.
But all in all, I liked it. I didn't love it, but it was worth watching. The story is a heartbreaking insight to what happens when the system fails and reminds you that a few bad apples really can ruin many peoples' lives. It reminds us we're not safe from injustice due to greed and pride. None of us are safe.
Elegant documentary ~
poppincorps15 July 2022
Brilliant unfolding and story telling for such a horrific tale. With a strangely almost loving under current for all the principals. An adept fairness. Can't wait for the next episode. Kudos to the filmmakers for their portrait of Helen Wilson. Carefully setting in our minds the love of for family and her poetic nature with the use of old footage and tapes. Even the town of Beatrice is fixed in my memory now. All done with such light strokes, never devices or manipulation.
GREAT story, mid pace
manuschupp2 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is my first review of a show ever.
As a victim of miscarriage of justice, to learn about this story and all the things these people went through was really interesting. It was so cool to hear it from the actual lawyers and victims, and also the fact that Burt Searcey was confronted with all the evidence and seeing his reaction.
However to be honest it gets INCREDIBLY slow at times and I'm not a personal fan of the whole play thing. But who knows, maybe it's not bad and it's just a personal issue.
With all this being said, I 100% recommend this doc for anyone who likes true crime and justice being served at the end.
As a victim of miscarriage of justice, to learn about this story and all the things these people went through was really interesting. It was so cool to hear it from the actual lawyers and victims, and also the fact that Burt Searcey was confronted with all the evidence and seeing his reaction.
However to be honest it gets INCREDIBLY slow at times and I'm not a personal fan of the whole play thing. But who knows, maybe it's not bad and it's just a personal issue.
With all this being said, I 100% recommend this doc for anyone who likes true crime and justice being served at the end.
More than a True Crime Docu-series
michaelglenadams8 September 2022
Like others who read reviews on IMDB before investing 6 hours into a docu-series, I was skeptical based on the 7.0 overall rating at the time of this writing.
But what led me to invest in watching it was that the reviews were polarized between 7 and 10. I wanted to understand why and hoped that I'd come out in the 10 camp.
IMO, those who rated it a 6, 7 or 8 wanted a "Making a Murderer" or "Serial" type of open-ended mystery and were disappointed the weird side story about a small-town play getting in the way of the cold hard facts. As far as true crime, it's interesting but just OK and certainly took too long to tell that story. If I had stopped watching after 5.5 episodes, I would have been in that camp.
But the final half episode changed everything and moved me into the 10 camp. Hell, I would rate it an 11 and say it was one of the most profound explorations of humanity in the context of tragedy I've ever watched.
It moved me to absolute tears as the story the series creators were actually telling all along suddenly came to light and we watched the individuals of the previous 5 episodes begin to heal from an absolutely tragic situation and we watched others double down in their ego and pride. The "twist" caught me by complete surprise as I finally understood that this docu-series was using the True Crime genre to tell human story about healing. It hit me like a ton of bricks and was relatable at personal level, even tho I've never experienced loss even close to that experienced by the people in this series.
My personal take away: At different times I play both the Victim and Villain in tragedies of my own life. Time and self-compassion for both sides of myself are the pathway to healing.
But what led me to invest in watching it was that the reviews were polarized between 7 and 10. I wanted to understand why and hoped that I'd come out in the 10 camp.
IMO, those who rated it a 6, 7 or 8 wanted a "Making a Murderer" or "Serial" type of open-ended mystery and were disappointed the weird side story about a small-town play getting in the way of the cold hard facts. As far as true crime, it's interesting but just OK and certainly took too long to tell that story. If I had stopped watching after 5.5 episodes, I would have been in that camp.
But the final half episode changed everything and moved me into the 10 camp. Hell, I would rate it an 11 and say it was one of the most profound explorations of humanity in the context of tragedy I've ever watched.
It moved me to absolute tears as the story the series creators were actually telling all along suddenly came to light and we watched the individuals of the previous 5 episodes begin to heal from an absolutely tragic situation and we watched others double down in their ego and pride. The "twist" caught me by complete surprise as I finally understood that this docu-series was using the True Crime genre to tell human story about healing. It hit me like a ton of bricks and was relatable at personal level, even tho I've never experienced loss even close to that experienced by the people in this series.
My personal take away: At different times I play both the Victim and Villain in tragedies of my own life. Time and self-compassion for both sides of myself are the pathway to healing.
This is a great, creative and touching documentary
sendbriceemail25 December 2022
I live in Nebraska, not very far from Beatrice. I have never liked Beatrice, something about the place always seemed kind of creepy to me. I remember when this murder happened and when the six suspects were put on trials. I also remember when they were exonerated and the controversy over how the county was going to repay them. Beyond that I never followed the case that closely. This documentary does a terrific job of showing all sides, a lot of facts, and letting the people involved speak for themselves. A lot of people have complained about the play involved. However, I think it gave a nice touch.
If they made this a straight documentary and excluded the goofy actors workshopping dialogue, it's a 10
zorba-3627124 July 2022
Stick to the documentary format. 86 the hactors (yes I meant hactors) reading dialogue and you have a great series. It also diminishes the severity of this hideous crime against an older woman. Have a "Snyder Cut" style redo and you're in business.
Great Look At American Unjustice System
neongen28 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Couple of years or so ago saw a HBO true life crime drama that never paid off so was slow to latch onto this. Mood of the piece is low key , suspense with interviews of the accused perps and cops being the meat and potatoes of the piece. False confessions and confessions under duress are not super rare but this crazy quilt of characters takes the hide right offin the hog.
This is indeed a tangled web with characters short on brain matter and long on coo coo craziness. After two episodes matters are already far off the beaten path of suspects should just keep their mouths shut. One one hand there's all the gotcha material a copper would ever want but on the other the picture that's been painted is just nutsoid. The accused are a sordid collection of low life but will the system try to sort out the wheat from the chaff . Seems certain to head down the path of law enforcement doesn't care if you really did it as long as they can convict you. Definitely unique look at strange doings as the train goes off the rails but lock 'em all up anyway justice system.
Edit : Chapter three was an expected trip down hill. One and two presented the procession of illogical confessions and accusations that as a whole was a one of a king look into the minds of several people with many screws loose. Even the explanations of the five of six who talked rubbish did not shed much light on their actions.
Episode 3 was mainly a lot of self - serving lawyer babble with the exception of one guy who started to peel away the torn wall paper to show how little anyone cared about the possible truths that could come from a more thorough testing of the crime scene.
Primary blame has to fall on the lawyer of the one guy who went to trial. He thought hid client was guilty so why bother with DNA.
The actions of the county DA and first appeals court panel more than anything reveal how evil is the " justice " system.
What remains of interest to me will be how any of the six , given the entirety of what happened, could get any compensation beyond a minimum state amount for serving time then being acquitted by an appeals court. Can see why the state would not want to retry after the DNA results and what came from that.
EDIT My concern as to how the defendants could get big compensation after confessing went away when inepisode 5 all of the misdeeds of the prosecution team were brought to light. Truly sad to see how people who represent the state just routinely get away with, what I see, as major crimes. The series is not slow at all , rather a great look at the psychology of the people involved.
The lawyers for the defendants in the initial state of the cases were all wretched and , for anyone with a modicum of intelligence, come over as such.
The actors in the staged version of the events serve the purpose of making insightful comments about the horror of what happened to balance the views of many city folk who think the 6 are guilty. Sad to see the relatives of the dead woman holding on to absurd views ...certainly because they are too stupid to realize that they swallowed the state's case...hook, line and sinker.
All in all series shows how rotten people are.
Look forward to the final episode tho no doubt the biggest shock came in episode 5 when then the story of the 6th person of the Beatrice six was revealed.
Detractors of the series who found the theater group to be a big negative should leave retractions as the play caused a major change in one key characterwhich was a huge part of the story.
Can't understand why the civil trials had 12 instead of 8 jurors and needed a unanimous verdict instead of a majority one. Should have been explained. Also a better job of explaining how much the 6 or families of the 6 got in the first yearand should have looked at the chances of their getting the full amount of the award.
Does not seem to be any young adults in this city, probably they left due to lack of opportunities there.
Only one of the state's players participated in the piece, without him it would have had far less of a human touch.
Piece combined crime , the legal system and human psychology very well.
This is indeed a tangled web with characters short on brain matter and long on coo coo craziness. After two episodes matters are already far off the beaten path of suspects should just keep their mouths shut. One one hand there's all the gotcha material a copper would ever want but on the other the picture that's been painted is just nutsoid. The accused are a sordid collection of low life but will the system try to sort out the wheat from the chaff . Seems certain to head down the path of law enforcement doesn't care if you really did it as long as they can convict you. Definitely unique look at strange doings as the train goes off the rails but lock 'em all up anyway justice system.
Edit : Chapter three was an expected trip down hill. One and two presented the procession of illogical confessions and accusations that as a whole was a one of a king look into the minds of several people with many screws loose. Even the explanations of the five of six who talked rubbish did not shed much light on their actions.
Episode 3 was mainly a lot of self - serving lawyer babble with the exception of one guy who started to peel away the torn wall paper to show how little anyone cared about the possible truths that could come from a more thorough testing of the crime scene.
Primary blame has to fall on the lawyer of the one guy who went to trial. He thought hid client was guilty so why bother with DNA.
The actions of the county DA and first appeals court panel more than anything reveal how evil is the " justice " system.
What remains of interest to me will be how any of the six , given the entirety of what happened, could get any compensation beyond a minimum state amount for serving time then being acquitted by an appeals court. Can see why the state would not want to retry after the DNA results and what came from that.
EDIT My concern as to how the defendants could get big compensation after confessing went away when inepisode 5 all of the misdeeds of the prosecution team were brought to light. Truly sad to see how people who represent the state just routinely get away with, what I see, as major crimes. The series is not slow at all , rather a great look at the psychology of the people involved.
The lawyers for the defendants in the initial state of the cases were all wretched and , for anyone with a modicum of intelligence, come over as such.
The actors in the staged version of the events serve the purpose of making insightful comments about the horror of what happened to balance the views of many city folk who think the 6 are guilty. Sad to see the relatives of the dead woman holding on to absurd views ...certainly because they are too stupid to realize that they swallowed the state's case...hook, line and sinker.
All in all series shows how rotten people are.
Look forward to the final episode tho no doubt the biggest shock came in episode 5 when then the story of the 6th person of the Beatrice six was revealed.
Detractors of the series who found the theater group to be a big negative should leave retractions as the play caused a major change in one key characterwhich was a huge part of the story.
Can't understand why the civil trials had 12 instead of 8 jurors and needed a unanimous verdict instead of a majority one. Should have been explained. Also a better job of explaining how much the 6 or families of the 6 got in the first yearand should have looked at the chances of their getting the full amount of the award.
Does not seem to be any young adults in this city, probably they left due to lack of opportunities there.
Only one of the state's players participated in the piece, without him it would have had far less of a human touch.
Piece combined crime , the legal system and human psychology very well.
So Incredibly Powerful
Heiura10 February 2023
I, like other viewers, would virtually roll my eyes the first 5.5 episodes when they would show the community play group. Like, ok, a bunch of hipsters making a local play about a tragedy. But when they showed the parts of the actual production, it was amazing. They seemed to have truly taken the relevant parts of what happened and managed to put it together in a compassionate and accurate way. So in a sense it was a production within a production, and both were very well told. I even got the lesson which I think the whole documentary was trying to impart about the dangers of prejudging. This was just an amazing, eye opening real life story of humans and how imperfect we are in so many ways. So tragic, so important and thank you to those who made this.
Underscores the importance of community theater.
pete-grimm14 August 2022
This a sad story with many victims. At first I thought it was a little slow, but I am so glad I stuck with it. I agree with other reviews that a bit more editing would be a plus. While I was watching, I felt that the play that was being produced by the community theater was simply opening an old would. I was wrong. It reminded me that theater at all levels from Broadway to volunteer community theater has its place and is important. Watch it. I had tears at the end.
Great until.....
everyhoureveryday17 October 2022
This is a really sad but interesting case in a town full of characters. I like how the victim is not lost. We get to meet her through old movies, tape recordings, and family members.
The only draw back to this documentary is the intermingling of the actual case and the side project play and it's actors. While watching it feels as if it/they are completely unnecessary and only serve to drag this doc out, but stick it out because it all collides in ep 6.
It is mind blowing how badly this case was handled. So many people drug through the mud and a family left with wrong answers and so much grief all for one guys ego.
The only draw back to this documentary is the intermingling of the actual case and the side project play and it's actors. While watching it feels as if it/they are completely unnecessary and only serve to drag this doc out, but stick it out because it all collides in ep 6.
It is mind blowing how badly this case was handled. So many people drug through the mud and a family left with wrong answers and so much grief all for one guys ego.
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