I watched the first two episodes of the premier season before I wrote this review. Episode 1 is really horrible. Do NOT judge the entire series based upon Episode 1 because Episode 2 displays marked improvements.
My thoughts about Episode 1...
This pilot fails in two main areas:
1. Uses same old "The First 48" format
Unfortunately, this format now appears in three series - "The First 48", "After The First 48", and "The First 48: The Killer Speaks". Producers apparently think that success of "The First 48", now in its 15th season, lies in format.
Even worse, the content of this episode merely rehashes the original case that aired in "The First 48" S2 Ep1 "A Serial Killer Calls" with *LOTS* of the same clips; any "new" clips were probably gathered from the editing room floor of the original case.
Append a few scenes from the trial, and the result matches any episode from "After the First 48".
Sprinkle in a handful of excerpts from the murderer's prison interview, and Voila! - an episode of "The Killer Speaks".
However, viewers early in the episode begin to think, "I want to see something new".
2. Bad choice of convicted murderer
Terry Blair still maintains his innocence; therefore, he won't really "speak" about the crime. Instead, viewers get treated to typical inmate talk... a stream of "I'm innocent" and flaws in the case against him. He utters single sentences, carefully watching every word.
At about 1/3 into the episode, where Blair gets arrested and jailed, he starts to provide a few more details because, of course, he can't deny those events.
Why, then, did the producers select Blair as the "hook" to grab viewer interest in this new series? Well, Blair's original case in "The First 48" (S2 Ep1 "A Serial Killer Calls") was probably the most spellbinding episode ever for that series because Blair, before his capture, repeatedly phoned police to reveal more dead bodies. Very bad judgment by producers to assume that Blair's "The Killer Speaks" episode would be equally spellbinding.
Ultimately, this episode lacks so many aspects that viewers want to experience - details about Blair's developmental years that could have contributed to his serial killings, his feelings about events surrounding the murders, his motives beyond "prostitutes are scum".
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Besides these two main failings, here are a couple of minor complaints:
1. The title should have the same format (catchy words: killer's name) as all other "The Killer Speaks" episodes;
2. The killer's prison interview is conducted by the off-camera producer with low-quality, tunnel-sounding audio.
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...and a positive note - the ending of this episode is shocking and powerful, to describe it would be a HUGE spoiler.
Remember, give episode 2 a chance.
My thoughts about Episode 1...
This pilot fails in two main areas:
1. Uses same old "The First 48" format
Unfortunately, this format now appears in three series - "The First 48", "After The First 48", and "The First 48: The Killer Speaks". Producers apparently think that success of "The First 48", now in its 15th season, lies in format.
Even worse, the content of this episode merely rehashes the original case that aired in "The First 48" S2 Ep1 "A Serial Killer Calls" with *LOTS* of the same clips; any "new" clips were probably gathered from the editing room floor of the original case.
Append a few scenes from the trial, and the result matches any episode from "After the First 48".
Sprinkle in a handful of excerpts from the murderer's prison interview, and Voila! - an episode of "The Killer Speaks".
However, viewers early in the episode begin to think, "I want to see something new".
2. Bad choice of convicted murderer
Terry Blair still maintains his innocence; therefore, he won't really "speak" about the crime. Instead, viewers get treated to typical inmate talk... a stream of "I'm innocent" and flaws in the case against him. He utters single sentences, carefully watching every word.
At about 1/3 into the episode, where Blair gets arrested and jailed, he starts to provide a few more details because, of course, he can't deny those events.
Why, then, did the producers select Blair as the "hook" to grab viewer interest in this new series? Well, Blair's original case in "The First 48" (S2 Ep1 "A Serial Killer Calls") was probably the most spellbinding episode ever for that series because Blair, before his capture, repeatedly phoned police to reveal more dead bodies. Very bad judgment by producers to assume that Blair's "The Killer Speaks" episode would be equally spellbinding.
Ultimately, this episode lacks so many aspects that viewers want to experience - details about Blair's developmental years that could have contributed to his serial killings, his feelings about events surrounding the murders, his motives beyond "prostitutes are scum".
=====
Besides these two main failings, here are a couple of minor complaints:
1. The title should have the same format (catchy words: killer's name) as all other "The Killer Speaks" episodes;
2. The killer's prison interview is conducted by the off-camera producer with low-quality, tunnel-sounding audio.
=====
...and a positive note - the ending of this episode is shocking and powerful, to describe it would be a HUGE spoiler.
Remember, give episode 2 a chance.
