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?
