This week on American Crime Story, 911 calls are released, articles are written, and the Kardashian sisters begin their climb to infamy. My spoiler-y thoughts are after the jump.
We got out hour long chase scene out of the way. Now we are back to business as both sides of O.J. are preparing their offense and defense. As this is going on, the permanent effects of this landmark event are finally taking hold of the media. We got to see the iconic Time and New Yorker magazine covers and the outrage surrounding both were portrayed well. I really love the show's depiction of racial outcry and how it is not one sided. It is acknowledging that there was a legitimate racist climate surrounding the case but is also not afraid to leave open the possibility that the racist outcry could have been over reactionary. It is letting audiences take both sides and I find it very commendable that the show is not making itself a specific soap box to stand on. I think that makes the show infinitely more compelling because the audience is able to bring their own thoughts and beliefs into the show and also explore the other sides of this topic. It is all incredibly fascinating.
I am also loving how the show feels like the classiest soap opera style movie ever made. It subtly acknowledges the gossipy and melodramatic nature of this entire thing, but still takes it completely seriously. This is shown in how the cinematography is handled. At times it is sweeping and cinematic while at other times it remains static and superficial (like a soap opera) when characters are in rooms together. The color palette contributes to this as well, especially the opening scene with Robert Kardashian and his daughters talking about the frailties and merits of fame, ironically of course considering what the Kardashian sisters become in time. This is all a bit on the nose, but it lends a bit of irony and nuanced humor to the episode that I found welcome with all of the melodrama.
This opening scene was also a great introduction to what this episode was mainly about. As these cases begin to come together and evidence was explored, put in the spotlight, and scrutinized, media outlets and other individuals began to capitalize on the fame and attention of all of this to write big pieces on social issues or, like with O.J.'s couch hopping buddy Kato Kaelin, advance their own personal exposure and careers. Even Shapiro is recognizing what this case will do for his already widely publicized standing. This all paved the way for what 24 hour media outlets and reality programs are today. I thought it was very telling that even though 911 calls of O.J. victimizing his wife were instantly dismissed by the public when the New Yorker published its article that proposed all of the proceedings as a race issue. Even then, the American people's overly reactionary instincts rose their head once the big R word was brought up, which is kind of funny given how actually racist issues are completely ignored until they involve some sort of big name celebrity who is already on the public mind. It is funny to see what issues people will defend and which ones they will not given the exposure and the circumstances. Someone should do a study into this.
Also, how great is it to see Nathan Lane on the show? It has been a while since I have seen him in anything not on stage so I was very happy to see him playing John Travolta's foil here. His screen time is minimal but I am sure that once the defendants get closer to the upcoming trials that he will get more screen time to shine.
All in all, this was a very compelling episode of American Crime Story and it ended on the perfect note with Sarah Paulson's Marcia Clark f-bombing her way into basic cable television history (I cannot think of another time where an unbleeped 'fuck' made its way onto basic cable) as she realizes the fight that is coming her way. This is great television and I will most definitely be back next week to share my thoughts on the next episode!
Grade: A-.
The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story airs every Wednesday night on FX.
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