Ep 1. Hooked

Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult is a ten-part documentary series that explores the inner workings of the infamous NXIVM organization led by Keith Raniere. The first episode, Hooked, introduces viewers to India Oxenberg, a young actress who was seduced by NXIVM's promises of self-improvement and empowerment, and became deeply involved in the group.

The episode begins with India recollecting her early years and her relationship with her mother, actress Catherine Oxenberg. India describes feeling lost and looking for purpose in her life when she first learned about NXIVM. The group marketed itself as a self-help organization that could help individuals achieve their full potential. India was drawn in by their message of empowerment and began to take classes in the organization's curriculum.

The show explores the tactics used by NXIVM to recruit and retain members. India recalls being encouraged to take more classes and progress through the levels of the curriculum, which required significant financial investment. The leaders of NXIVM promised that their teachings would result in success and happiness, but as India became more deeply involved with the group, she found that the opposite was true. She was struggling with anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder, but was told by NXIVM leaders that these were just "obstacles" to overcome on her journey toward self-improvement.

The episode also reveals how NXIVM's leader, Keith Raniere, used his charisma and intelligence to manipulate and control his followers. Raniere is portrayed as a cult leader who demanded complete fealty from his followers and abused his power to maintain control over them. The show features interviews with former members of NXIVM who describe how Raniere used humiliation, gaslighting, and mind games to maintain his grip on the group.

As India became more deeply involved in NXIVM, she was introduced to Raniere himself. The show depicts their first meeting as a fateful encounter that would change India's life forever. Raniere is shown as a charismatic figure who sought to create a harem of women around him. India was drawn in by his charm and soon found herself involved in a secret society within the group called DOS. The episode reveals the shocking truth about DOS, which was essentially a sex cult in which women were branded with Raniere's initials and were expected to perform sexual acts on him.

The episode ends with India describing how she became disillusioned with NXIVM and eventually left the group. She describes the moment when she realized that she had been brainwashed and manipulated by Raniere and his followers. The show raises important questions about the dangers of cults and the power of charismatic leaders to control the lives of their followers.

Overall, Hooked is a powerful and compelling introduction to the world of NXIVM and the experiences of those who were seduced by its promises, only to find themselves trapped in a dangerous and abusive cult. The episode raises important questions about the nature of power, control, and manipulation, and serves as a warning about the dangers of organizations that seek to control and exploit vulnerable individuals.