Ep 7. Unmasked

American Monster is a popular true-crime series that explores heinous crimes committed by everyday people. Each episode of the show sketches the horrifying details of a notorious crime by using a mixture of re-enactments, interviews with family members, and police investigation footage. Season 6 of the show takes us further down the path as it details even more spine-tingling and twisted stories about the evil that hides in suburban America. The seventh episode of the season titled "Unmasked" focuses on a shocking crime that was carried out with a cool-headed disposition over several years.

The episode opens with a serene suburban neighborhood accompanied by twinkling background music. As the camera moves from street to street, viewers see fancy cars, well-manicured lawns, and neatly fenced houses. Suddenly, the tranquil image is interrupted by a flurry of police sirens and flashing red-and-blue lights. We are transported to the case of a killer who was successfully masquerading as a loving and devoted spouse for years.

"Unmasked" is about how an average-looking American man, seemingly committed to his family, becomes a murderer. With deceptive ways and no indications, the audience sees how he is always capable of hurting someone. The episode gets more haunting as it unveils the mind of the killer and his actions from start to end. Through the interviews conducted with his family, friends, and the local community, we begin to understand what could have motivated him to commit such heinous crimes.

The family and friends are left with a vast amount of confusion and are left asking questions about the events leading up to the shocking outcome. Friend and family members are interviewed, describing the man as a loving spouse and father who doted on his wife and kids. Neighbors echo similar sentiments, describing him as the ideal next-door neighbor and a reliable member of the community. He was even popular amongst his colleagues, who were shocked to hear of his involvement in criminal acts.

However, the police paint a different picture of the American Monster, revealing that his criminal behavior started way earlier. It is seen that his actions had been escalating slowly, perhaps for years, before the dam broke, leading to his ultimate arrest and incarceration. Viewers learn how the police were able to track him despite him successfully evading arrest for a long period.

Stories like "Unmasked" are a reminder that there is more to the people we know, and those we presume to know, the obscure and blurred lines that the human species has yet to understand. The show's strength lies in its specificity, the interviews, the re-enactments, and the footage that help piece the story together. The shock and awe that come with each story are often overwhelming, which has turned American Monster into a must-watch show for true crime fans all over the world.

In conclusion, American Monster season 6 episode 7 "Unmasked" highlights the importance of looking beyond the goodwill of a person and digging deeper into their past and ongoing actions. The episode focuses on one person's gradual descent into criminality and the surprise of those around him when the veil is finally lifted. Fans of true crime documentaries will find "Unmasked" to be an intriguing exploration of how evil can exist behind a wholesome mask, and how anyone can become a monster when we least suspect it.