Ep 2. A Lover Scorned

In episode 2 of Jodi Arias: An American Murder Mystery season 1, titled "A Lover Scorned," the focus shifts from the victim, Travis Alexander, to the accused killer, Jodi Arias. Viewers are taken deeper into Jodi's past, exploring the dynamic between her and Travis, and gaining insight into their tumultuous relationship.

The episode begins with Jodi's childhood. She grew up in Northern California with her parents, brother, and sister. Her parents had a rocky relationship, and Jodi's dad was physically abusive towards her mother. As a result, Jodi and her siblings often witnessed their parents' fights and were exposed to violence from a young age. Despite this, Jodi was described as a happy child who loved animals and was good at sports.

As a teenager, Jodi struggled with her parents' divorce and turned to drugs and alcohol for solace. She dropped out of high school and moved in with her boyfriend, Darryl Brewer, who was twenty years her senior. Brewer would play a significant role in Jodi's life, supporting her financially and emotionally for years to come.

In 2006, Jodi met Travis Alexander at a conference for a multi-level marketing company they both worked for. Travis, a devout Mormon, was immediately attracted to Jodi and pursued a romantic relationship with her. Jodi, who had converted to Mormonism in her twenties, was also interested in Travis and the two began dating long-distance.

The episode delves into the ups and downs of Jodi and Travis's relationship. Travis was a successful businessman and motivational speaker, while Jodi struggled to find steady employment. Travis was also deeply committed to his faith, while Jodi had a complicated relationship with Mormonism and often pushed back against Travis's religious views. Despite these differences, Jodi and Travis had a passionate and tumultuous relationship that was marked by jealousy, infidelity, and fights.

As the episode progresses, viewers are given a glimpse into the events leading up to Travis's murder. Jodi and Travis had broken up in 2007, but continued to keep in contact and occasionally hook up. Jodi grew increasingly jealous of the other women in Travis's life and, in May 2008, she drove from her home in California to Arizona to visit him.

What happened next is the subject of intense speculation and controversy. Jodi claims that she and Travis had consensual sex and then he was attacked by intruders who broke into his home. Prosecutors, on the other hand, allege that Jodi killed Travis in a fit of jealous rage. As the episode ends, viewers are left with more questions than answers about what really happened on that fateful day.

Overall, "A Lover Scorned" is a gripping episode that sheds light on Jodi Arias's troubled past and complex relationship with Travis Alexander. Through interviews with friends and family members, as well as reenactments of key events, viewers are able to piece together a fuller picture of Jodi's motives and state of mind leading up to the murder. As the season continues, audiences will be eager to learn more about the investigation and trial that followed.