Ep 1. Leaving Neverland: Part 1

Leaving Neverland: Part 1 is the first episode in the powerful HBO documentary series that examines the stories of two men who claim to have been sexually abused by Michael Jackson when they were children. The episode begins with the introduction of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who recount their experiences with Michael Jackson during the height of his fame in the 1980s and 1990s. Through interviews with the two men, their families, and other individuals who knew Jackson, the episode provides a detailed and emotional look at the impact of the alleged abuse on the survivors and their families.

Leaving Neverland: Part 1 is not an easy watch. The stories told by Robson and Safechuck are difficult to hear and the details they provide are often graphic and disturbing. However, the filmmakers do an excellent job of clearly and sensitively presenting the accounts of the two men, making it clear that their experiences are credible and worthy of investigation.

The episode begins with the story of Wade Robson, who met Michael Jackson as a child when he won a dance contest that allowed him to meet the pop star. Robson recalls how Jackson began to groom him and his family, showering them with gifts and attention and inviting them to stay at his Neverland ranch in California. It is during these visits that Robson alleges he was sexually abused by Jackson, beginning at the age of seven. Robson's mother and siblings also share their recollections of the visits to Neverland, revealing how Jackson became a central figure in their lives.

The second half of the episode focuses on the story of James Safechuck, who similarly met Jackson as a child through his work on a Coca-Cola commercial. Safechuck describes how he and Jackson became close, with Jackson inviting him to spend time at his house and taking him on tour with him. Safechuck alleges that Jackson also sexually abused him, beginning when he was ten years old and continuing for several years. Safechuck's mother also provides her own account of the relationship between her son and Jackson, revealing her regrets about her own role in allowing her son to spend time with the pop star.

Throughout the episode, the filmmakers do an excellent job of presenting the two stories side by side, highlighting the many similarities in the experiences of Robson and Safechuck. They also provide important context for understanding why the two men initially denied that they had been abused by Jackson, emphasizing the profound impact that the singer had on their lives and the complex emotional reactions that survivors of sexual abuse often experience.

Overall, Leaving Neverland: Part 1 is a powerful and devastating exploration of the impact of sexual abuse on survivors and their families. The episode is essential viewing for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of abuse and its long-term effects, and sets the stage for the equally harrowing Part 2.