Episode Guide
Monster is a review of a horror movie that is set in a black neighbourhood. The review score for the movie is 3/5, and it discusses how the film has negative effects on relationships between black people and white people. The review also discusses how the film does not provide any positive aspects to the community.
The true crime genre is a popular choice among fans of television, and Apple TV+’s venture into this territory certainly looked interesting on paper. However, the drama fails to reach its potential, delivering a somewhat predictable story full of plot holes and under-developed characters. Given the multiple talented actors working on this one, it’s a shame then that this fails to rise to the occasion.
Poppy Parnell is back and this time she’s taking on the murder of Chuck Buhram. Twenty years ago, Poppy was a journalist who wrote a series of articles that helped convict his young neighbour Warren Cave. However, in the season opener, Poppy discovers that one of the victim’s twin daughters may have given a false testimony. The rest of the season follows Poppy as she investigates the case, revisiting the different members involved to get to the bottom of the truth once and for all. ..
Truth Be Told is a decent drama with a strong premise. However, the show falls flat and never feels very tense or thrilling throughout its 8 episodes. The first few episodes are enough to bring you into the story however, setting the scene well and introducing us to all the different players in the series. While the story remains interesting enough to watch, the under-developed character arcs and sub-plots are what hurt the show most.
The flashbacks in “Warren’s Trial” feel like fillers, as the only thing that really happens in the show is Warren’s trial. This lack of development makes the characters feel one-dimensional and uninteresting. Additionally, these flashbacks could have done a lot to add depth to the show and make it more interesting.
The standout performance in Truth Be Told comes from Aaron Paul as the convict thrown in jail as a teenager. This was very convincing and powerful, and Lizzy Caplan is another who stands out here. Both twins are played with finesse and offer up a believable contrast between Lanie and Josie.
Truth Be Told is an interesting show with a lot of potential, but it doesn’t live up to it. The twins’ connection is explored well, but the show doesn’t build on it enough. The themes of racism, class and the aryan brotherhood are interesting, but they’re not developed enough to make up for the flaws in the show. ..
Truth Be Told had the potential to be a great true crime series. However, the show’s inconsistency and slow pacing hindered its overall success. While some viewers may find the show enjoyable, most likely fewer will remember it after watching it.
