NF & Chill M.A.M. Ep 8 It's Like A Crew

* Spoiler alert: There are items discussed on this post that may reveal a great deal of content if you haven't seen the series. As a result we advise that you watch the correlating episode first and then read the post. If you choose not to heed the warning, that's fine too. This is based on the Netflix Web Series and may not be entirely reflective of the actual court proceeding(s).

Episode Synopsis: Closing arguments now up and the jury deliberates. That being stated, Steven's fate now hinges on whether the jury believes police misconduct may have occurred. 


Key Players in Ep 8: 

Dean Strang & Jerry Buting

Episode 8 opens with Allan Avery as he reminisces about the plans that he made for his son Steve and him to raise and farm fish. It was then that it hit me like a ton of bricks. This man and his wife have been waiting for their son for a great deal of their lives. While others have been planning summer trips and holiday visits, the Avery family has been consumed with proving their son's innocence. Once for 18 years and now here they are again, feeling as if the system is set to work against them. It's got to be tough. 

"In some ways to be accused is to lose... Every time. What you can hope to get is your liberty back, eventually. That's all you can hope to get." - Dean Strang. What a powerful statement, especially as it relates to his client, Steven Avery; after all, I know from the start I was thinking about the rape as I listened to the new charges. Not of the fact that he was innocent, but in thinking that he was an ex-con... It's extremely biasing. 

Kratz came out swinging just as hard as I expected him to in defense of the crew, making sure to paint his officer's as the folks that come to save the day. Why not, I'm sure that all, but the Avery's see them in that exact light. I thought it was brilliant. It was just as smart to have the jury take the leap that if the officers did indeed frame Avery, then the jurors would have to be willing to believe that they killed and burned the body of Teresa Halbach. Who in the heck would believe the police would be willing to do that, just to get Avery off the streets for good? 

I thought that it was genius for Buting & Strang to characterize the officers as lawmen that didn't think they were framing an innocent man, but framing a man that they, in their heart of hearts, decided was guilty. This takes the sting out of calling them liars and criminals and almost serves to justify their alleged actions. I'm not sure if this was in response to the police murder and frame up theory that Mr. Kratz threw out there or the possibility that both he & Strang might one day have to depend on this department for help after dialing 911? 

It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, yet none come to me as I look at Avery's face as the verdict is read. This is probably that saddest part of this series... As the judge's voice fades, I imagine that's exactly how numbing that moment was to all that would like to have seen Steven Avery go free. Is he guilty? Was he framed? What's next and where do we go from here? Of course I feel for Teresa Halbach and her family, but I hope they have the right man behind bars... This is one of the roughest moments for all involved.


Next Up: Ep 9 - Humbled Lackey