Ep 2. John Lennon Assassination

In episode 2 of Crimes of the Century season 1, the focus shifts to the tragic event that shook the world on December 8, 1980, when the legendary musician and peace activist John Lennon was assassinated in front of his home at the Dakota apartments in New York City.

The episode delves deep into the circumstances leading up to the shooting, the controversial and complex personality of the assassin Mark David Chapman, and the aftermath of Lennon's death. The episode takes a detailed look at the diary Chapman kept in the months leading up to the assassination, revealing shocking insights into his twisted mental state and obsession with Lennon.

The show interviews several key players in the case, including witnesses who were present during the shooting, detectives who investigated the crime, and journalists who covered the story. The experts provide their insights into the motivations behind Chapman's actions, and the impact that the assassination had on both Lennon's fans and the wider world.

The episode also explores the cultural and sociopolitical context of Lennon's life and death, placing the events in the context of the turbulent times of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The anti-war and anti-establishment sentiments that Lennon embodied were deeply ingrained in the counterculture of the time, and the episode examines the impact that Lennon had on the music, politics, and culture of the era.

The documentary also provides rare and never-before-seen footage of Lennon, both in his personal life and in his public performances, giving viewers a glimpse into his personality and his art. Interviews with his family members, bandmates, and friends provide a personal touch to the story, showing a side of Lennon that is often overlooked in discussions of his legacy.

Overall, the episode provides an in-depth and compelling portrait of one of the most shocking crimes in American history and the profound impact it had on the world. It offers a nuanced and complex exploration of the motives and mindset of the assassin, and the cultural context that both shaped and was shaped by Lennon's life and death.