User Reviews

Bernard Goetz shoots four black youths in a subway, he claims he was defending himself, a huge media storm ensues.

A fascinating watch, the trial is of course hugely interesting, but it's the media furore that ensued, that makes this such an intriguing watch, media opinion swung side to side like a pendulum.

Very interesting to see how a seemingly ordinary, quiet man could do something so shocking.

The question here, was Goetz a crime fighting hero, who stood up for the rights of New York, or was he just an angry bigot with a gun?

I think this is designed to sway your opinion a few times, but ultimately we all know what was happening here. 8/10.

A controversial act changes the course of NYC and the lives of many. On one hand you have the right to defend oneself from an attack and on the other the devastation of actual human beings lives. A well put together doc that did a good job of trying to remain objective.

Oh, "Trial by Media" Season 1, Episode 2, you tried so hard to enthrall us with the tale of the Subway Vigilante, yet you landed somewhere between a legal thriller and an infomercial for subway etiquette. This episode, akin to a lukewarm cup of coffee, provides enough caffeine to keep you awake but lacks the punch to truly stimulate the senses. There's a decent attempt to navigate the complex moral and legal maze surrounding vigilantism in the claustrophobic confines of a New York subway, but it feels like the narrative train is running on the local track when we really needed it to express itself.

The episode does an admirable job of balancing viewpoints, giving us a taste of the media frenzy that surrounded the case, and painting a vivid picture of 1980s New York, a city grappling with crime and fear. However, it's like watching a fireworks display where half the rockets fail to launch; you're left waiting for the big boom that never comes. The interviews, archival footage, and dramatic reenactments are the documentary equivalent of a Subway sandwich - it fills you up, has a variety of ingredients, but ultimately, you're left dreaming of a more gourmet experience.

In conclusion, "Trial by Media: Subway Vigilante" is the television equivalent of finding an old newspaper on the train. It's interesting enough to pick up and skim through, but you wouldn't cancel your plans to read it. With a 3.5-star rating, this episode is the perfect companion for a lazy, rainy afternoon when you're out of options and your only other choice is cleaning your apartment. It's okay, not because it's groundbreaking or particularly insightful, but because it manages to be just engaging enough that you don't feel like your time has been completely wasted. Here's to mediocrity, the unsung hero of streaming content!