369. Web-series Reviews – 184

More web-series reviews…

Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer – Documentary that came out in 2024.  A fascinating new perspective on the woman whose crime hunting innovations changed history. To stop serial killers, psychiatric nurse and professor Dr. Ann Burgess must first learn to think like one. With unprecedented access to the mastermind behind the development of modern serial-killer profiling, the series tells Burgess' tenacious story and her compassion for victims which puts her at the center of America's most infamous true-crime cases. From the widely known Ed Kemper and Ted Bundy to lesser-known cases like the Ski Mask Rapist, Burgess investigates and studies the damaged psyches of victims and their attackers, putting two halves of the same story together to catch a killer. Largely an unsung heroine until now, Dr. Burgess impacted not only the FBI, she also radically championed the plight of women in America.

A review from IMDB...

This was a truly excellent and appropriately timed series about an unsung hero in the behavioral science game, Ann Burgess. It follows her early work with victims of rape and using what she knew to formulate standards when the FBI was talking with serial killers. This gave the FBI something to compare and contrast when going through the data and arguably has very much improved what FBI knows about people who kill and how they treat victims. All while Mrs. Burgess was raising three kids and a married mother and nurse.

That being said, I have a quibble in general with profiling these days due to its being taken too far and its potential for abuse. When looked at as a "gut feeling" it isn't allowed in a court of law, but when called a "science" gut feelings are allowed in. I also have a quibble with her support of the Menéndez brothers. She supports there abuse story without a bit of evidence. That makes me think she could be manipulated and wonder about her credibility.

Nevertheless it was a gripping documentary and wonderful to see a spotlight on a woman making a difference.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Until I Kill You – Based on a true story. Came out in 2024. Delia Balmer, an agency nurse, met Sweeney, who confessed to killing his ex-girlfriend. He attacked her before evading capture. Balmer rebuilt her life to confront Sweeney seven years later after he was arrested for another murder.

A review from IMDB...

This short series left me speechless, just blew me away! Not only because of the great actors and performance but also because of how well the story is told, realistic, very strong and at times uncomfortable and frustrating. Once you start watching it you won't be able to stop it!

The first two episodes are the most intense and brutal. The actress Anna Maxwell, in the role of Delia, is simply magnificent! She acts with great strength, power and realism, I can't imagine anyone better, it is simply perfection!

The series reflects on the protection systems that are established around victims of abuse, and she holds responsible those who should contribute to guaranteeing their safety.

The plot is very well structured, marking each of the episodes as outstanding stages in the development of events, and they look very deep into personal obsessions.

Don't miss this one! It is an extremely solid British true crime production that will get under your skin thanks to the excellent performances.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

The Bay Season 4 – Season 4 came out in 2023. Police in the Morecambe Bay area in Lancashire investigate missing persons and suspicious deaths.

A review from IMDB...

I eagerly awaited this season but was disappointed with the quality of the script and acting. It could have been condensed into 3 episodes instead of 6 and been more tolerable. Slow, actors seemed to be standing around waiting for something to happen, the younger actors appeared inexperienced and poorly directed, the lead female detective did not come across as believable. There were many hints about blossoming relationships and difficulties in relationships but they were never fully explored. If they had been, it would have helped flesh out the characters and storyline.

Plus, resolution of the crime itself as well as sub-plots seemed contrived with a lot of forced positivity messages and too much effort to include political correctness that fell flat. That ruins so many shows when that in itself become a sort of cameo appearance.

My Take – An ok watch!

Adios till next time😊!