Les Ex de l'enfer

The Worse Ever series are fine if you just wish to wither a couple of hours away without using your brain cells or have it in the background while you do something else. Don't expect any earth-shattering insights or nuggets of wisdom because this is true crime lite. There is nothing more to glean in these episodes than if we were to simply read about the events as reported in the news.

Some of these events are so recent, like episode 1, that it makes it impossible to invite further comment and investigation by forensic experts and psychiatrists without risking a lawsuit as there are still living members in the immediate family of the perpetrators, who may object to being cast in an unflattering light. But it is really true crime if the motivations and machinations of unhinged people like Benjamin Foster are not explored at all?

How did Ben turn out the way he did? What was his childhood like? How was his relationship with his parents? What did his brother have to say about their experiences growing up together? Why didn't his parents seem more upset when spoken to about him being on the run? Could they have done more to intervene after his initial brush with the law or did they not care enough to? What skeleton in the closet is his family hiding? When he misdirected his rage and sadism at the women, who in his mind was he really lashing out at? All of these questions and not a single answer.

There is also a curious absence of reflection from those affected by these malevolent characters. What lessons did they learn from their experience and how has their ex affected the way they view the world or interact with others? What advice or recommendations do they have for anyone who should find themselves in the same unfortunate predicament of facing a toxic partner?

Watching this program will make you want to scream at your television. Not to sound too judgmental, but some of the women in these episodes are just far too trusting and just horrible judges of character. How many times do you need to get abused or beaten before you realize a guy is bad news?

The first episode in particular also shines a terrible spotlight on law enforcement in Nevada and Oregon. The utter incompetence is just enraging. The fact that Ben Foster was able to threaten and abuse women over and over again is a disgraceful failure by the legal system. And watching the almost slapstick antics of the cops in Oregon trying to apprehend Foster was just theater of the absurd.

All the episodes are very interesting and worth a watch, but I found the 3rd and 4th ones particularly sad and horrific. I was so impressed with the protagonist/narrator from the last one in getting an amendment to a bill passed after what she experienced - what an amazing thing to do after what she went through. That will help so many people. Well done. So sad for what all these victims went through, it's so shocking to see what can happen to the human psyche to make people do such insane things. And so awful to see how the victims try to get away but they can't because procedure needs to be followed, and while it is, sometimes much worse things happen that could have been avoided.

Great series. Looking forward to whatever they do next!

This is well put together series, expertly edited with a strong narrative to each episode. It's easy to binge these shows not just because they are so concisely edited and filmed but the stories are compelling.

However, it should be noted that the victims, their families and friends, demonstrate a naivete that borders on stupidity. Each victim, and most of their friends and families had all the clues about their perpetrators behavior but look the other way. In a country where millions voted for a president who is abusive and a criminal, it comes at no surprise that these victims have been so easily manipulated.

Anybody with early insight into the true nature of these abusers are dismissed. It's not just a story of people being misled and abused but of a country too often allowing themselves to be misled and abused.

As far as thrills and adrenaline rushes go, I think that Worst Ex Ever was much more effective than Worst Roommate Ever. These stories were horrifying because of both the ongoing DV, but also at how pathetic the police has been through time. It should NOT have to get the point of assault happening for these people to get some level of protection against their former partners!!! "Killing for Custody" was right out of a horror movie, but I was grateful for such a striking example of men being victims of DV as well. It's necessary representation, and I hope that others who watch this show leave with a better understanding of DV, DV warning signs, and the lasting impact these experiences have on survivors.