NF & Chill M.A.M. Ep 9 Humbled Lackey

* 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: Steven's trial is over and Brendan's is underway. Will the jury find his confession or his conflicting statements more trustworthy? It's anyone's guess. 

Key Players in Ep 9: 

Brendan Dassey 

As the episode starts and after listening to Ken Kratz one more time, I felt the urge to paint.
Come on, there's no way that you don't find yourself thinking of this guy each and every time you here that calm, almost inaudible voice. I guess that's used to disarm and gain trust. It does the opposite for me. When Mr. Fremgen called Brendan suggestible I finally felt like someone knew what was going on here. "You will learn that Brendan will meet two highly trained intelligent adult police officers. At times they cozy up to Brendan to get the answer they want. At times they pull back from Brendan when he's not giving them the answer they want or expect. It's like a new puppy dog." "When you watch the videos carefully, they'll be exposed for what they are. And I think they're just garbage." - Mark Fremgen. That about sums it up both in his words and how that situation is presented in this film. As Kayla backtracks her original statement to the police now that she's on the stand, you can clearly see the source of the suggestions that were given to Brendan during his questioning at school. Quick note to Teresa's brother; I'm sure that the Avery's & Dassey's would love the police too, if they didn't feel victimized by them. Just a thought, while understanding your reverence and acknowledging your pain.

The fact that Brendan's father, Peter shared the crazy dream that he had really shows how doomed Brendan was from the start. If he thought this was appropriate to share, then there is no wonder there's a disconnect. "It was Teresa and she was alive and it was all a joke." I have to think that even he knew that there had to be a better word than joke, all things considered. I cringed when that word came out of his mouth.

During Brendan's testimony I never saw his emotion change, not once. He would only sit, listen, blink and finally speak. I'm not sure what to think of him at this point. The notion that he got the "girl chained to the bed" story by reading Kiss The Girls, was ridiculous. I'm sure that his lawyers researched that and prepped him, but they should have had him say that he watched the movie or had someone else tell him about this in the book. He's operating on a 4th grade reading level, how in the hell am I supposed to believe that he's even made an attempt to read that book?

Closing Arguments:

"Don't convict him because he couldn't pick his parents. Don't convict him because he simply doesn't know and he's honest about it."  - Ray Edelstein. I'm sad to say that I was feeling the same way about his parents. They seemed to be the ones that failed Brendan. Have they ever acknowledged that Brendan had cognitive disabilities before or have they just patted him on the head and told him that he was just special? To allow this young man to ever speak to the detectives without a lawyer and outside of your presence is folly at best.

"People who are innocent don't confess. The defendant confessed because he was guilty, because he did it. Just as Teresa's lifeless body was consumed by that fire, the defendants presumption of innocence has been consumed by the fires of his own sexual desire. He wanted to know what it was like." - Tom Fallon. Did dude just quote a Rick James song? Fires of his own desires? Come on man, he doesn't seem to be able to function on that level at all. Either he didn't do it or he was directed to do it by someone else, at least that seems to be his level of functioning.

The Verdict:

As we all know, a quick verdict is rarely good for a defendant. It's normally a precursor to a verdict of guilty. Brendan is found guilty of all charges and emotions, as should be expected, have boiled over. For the time being, I'm left wondering if there are now two people locked up with the killer still on the streets. I'm just not sure, I don't know how anyone could be...

Judge Willis sentences Steven Avery to life in prison without the possibility of early release.

Judge Fox sentences Brendan to life in prison with the possibility of early release in 2048.


Up Next: Ep 10 Can I Live.