I'll Be Gone in the Dark Season 1 Episode 3

Ep 3. Rat in a Maze

  • TVMA
  • July 12, 2020
  • 61 min
  • 7.6  (343)

Michelle McNamara's investigation into the Golden State Killer leads her deeper into the case's disturbing history, as well as closer to the killers himself. This episode named "Rat in a Maze" focuses on the various psychological effects that these violent crimes have had on the victims, their families, and the communities they reside in.

The episode starts with the first victim of the East Area Rapist, Bonnie. Her roommate recalls the night of the attack and the mental trauma that followed. McNamara explains how the fear and paranoia generated by the case gradually seeped into the fabric of the communities in which the crimes occurred. She cites horrifying examples of people, who would patrol their streets with guns in hand, fearing a potential attack. The palpable terror of these crimes would go on to have a profound effect on the lives of those who lived in California at the time.

McNamara delves deeper into the psychological profiles of criminals who commit these types of crimes, explaining that many predators derive satisfaction and admiration from the attention their crimes generate; often referred to as "the glory of the kill." She uses one of the crimes attributed to the Golden State Killer, wherein the attacker stayed inside a victim's home for several hours, to discuss the type of psychopathology that informs such behavior.

The episode also discusses the politics of crime-solving and how the higher-ups in the FBI at the time may not have been particularly interested in the Golden State Killer case. The animosity between different departments such as the FBI, who wanted control of the investigation and the experienced detectives keen on solving the case only added to the already complicated nature of the case. McNamara discusses how the importance of fame and recognition in the FBI may have played a role in the lack of progress with the case.

Michelle speaks with Wendy, a former student of Shelley Robertson, the police officer who helped create the composite sketches of the East Area Rapist/Golden State Killer. Through Wendy, Michelle learns about Shelley's life and what drove her to pursue the elusive serial killer. Shelley's sketches provided a critical lead in the case, and her career as a forensic artist would go on to influence the development of many modern forensic techniques today.

The episode highlights the different angles being explored by the investigators in the case. The detectives who worked on the case, made up of both seasoned veterans and new officers, the FBI profilers, and the online community made up of amateur investigators, all bring a fresh perspective to the investigation. The online community was instrumental in keeping the case alive and in the public eye.

Finally, the episode touches on the many twists and turns this investigation has taken over the years. The introduction of DNA technology into criminal investigations dealt a significant blow to the Golden State Killer's anonymity, and the case would gain significant momentum in the following years. Despite the many missteps and setbacks along the way, the dedication, grit, and intelligence of the investigators, amateur sleuths, and those affected by the crimes themselves, would eventually lead to the unmasking of one of the most feared serial killers in history.

Overall, the episode does a great job of shining a light on the psychological and social impact of these crimes, as well as providing insight into the investigations that followed. The episode contextualizes the case within the time period in which it occurred, and establishes how the crimes affected California's communities. Whether the viewer is familiar with the case or not, this episode does a fantastic job of providing depth and nuance while never losing sight of the emotional weight of these crimes.

Description
Watch I'll Be Gone in the Dark - Rat in a Maze (s1 e3) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Season 1 Episode 3, is available to watch and stream on HBO. You can also buy, rent I'll Be Gone in the Dark on demand at Max, Amazon Prime, Amazon, HBO NOW, Vudu, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    July 12, 2020
  • Content Rating
    TVMA
  • Runtime
    61 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (343)