Fall River

Quick summary: A well produced documentary on a very complicated story. Police corruption, rampant sexual violence, brutal criminals, and satanic panic at its most extreme, who is telling the truth?

Overall, I thought it was very well done. Stick with it, it's all interesting but episode four is the Cherry.

I really only have one issue with this series. The constant excuses made for violent cruel behavior because of past trauma. I agree that Robin, Carl and a host of others in this story were horribly victimized in their past. I wish this hadn't happened to them, but it is not an excuse for victimizing others. Destroying other people's lives is not an acceptable "coping mechanism".

This is an impressive documentary that takes you on a journey into the Satan Worshiper hysteria of the Seventies, walks down seedy alleyways with pimps and prostitutes and turns the lens on the way police and prosecutors did business back then.

It is really well constructed snapshot of the underbelly of small town America, full of sordid personalities that worked on, stalked and patrolled the streets.

It is fascinating to hear the men in charge of the investigations condemn the young girl they used to frame various people: a girl who was suffering from rape and abuse. They have elevated her to mythological proportions of maniacal evil. They still talk about this (then) child as if she is an evil genius and they were putty in her hands. Later we hear those same officers making excuses for the pedophile rapists and brutal pimps that perpetrated the crimes in order to humanize them and belittle their involvement, "Yes, he sure was a funny character alright..." they said of the serial pedophile rapist in the area. Yet his victim is an evil manipulator.

A little time and distance (and a few women's rights movements) brings much clarity. Well, to some of us may be.

I highly recommend this doc series.

Too many people giving conflicting opinions with little focus on facts and evidence. No one is believable. Hard to follow.

I was glued to my seat for the entire binge-watch. Like in every great detective story, the truth becomes crystal clear at the very end.

Plus, an atmosphere of New England of the 70s/80s is beautifully recreated. A pleasure to watch.

A lot of footage and photos from back then, interesting and mysterious set up about weird murders.