Episode #2.5

Finally the episode we were all waiting for, the Manson family gets psychologically analyzed. Side storylines are getting good, great acting from the Tench family.

That is a pity that the Manson interrogation was relatively a small part of the show, however his portrayal by Herriman was excellent. Also the make up artist did a great job of his look, he just nailed the character quite perfectly. Could not quite make a difference whether watching the real Manson or the actor, superb implementation. Would not be surprised if he won Best Supporting Actor at the upcoming Emmys. Would be disappointed if not.

I have to respond to the presentation of Manson. It was so well done. Let's face it. Crazy as it sounds, the guy really understood what he was doing. His responses were out of left field but addressed the questions in his otherworldly way. I thought the guy who portrayed him was outstanding. Having seen quite a bit of footage of Manson, I thought he was captured. A word about Bill. He and the wife are coming to a major collision. He is not coming to grips with his son's problems.

I can't take the bad writing. I went back in and got as far as Manson, but I couldn't stop groaning. The scene with Kemper, who was marvelous in season one, was so lamely written I got angry (why does every character have to be Shecky Green? Nobody was cracking jokes during the first season, now everyone speaks in "Show Runner-Ese" that bland generic, non specific language where everyone Is being wry all the time.) I can't think of another show that the bed quite as badly - Maybe Roseanne in the final season when the family won the lottery. I watched Mindhunter in the first place because it was subtle and the scenes were snaky and full of telling details. it was for grown ups who didn't need everything to be telegraphed and every point hammered in again and again and again. This season nobody sounds even remotely human. There has never been a second where I've been confused or scared or interested. Here am I am again writing a pointless review. But I'm upset. I waited two years...for THIS? ugh. I'm going back to reading books.

After watching this I saw the real Manson in his first prison interview and the show's portrayal of him is more dramatic but the actor still did a good job. Is Manson as crazy as he's made out to be? The answers pretty obvious. Even Bill got the message.