Ep 1. Forbidden Love

The Case Against Adnan Syed is a true crime documentary series that chronicles the investigation and trial surrounding the murder of Hae Min Lee in 1999. Season 1 episode 1, titled Forbidden Love, delves into the initial discovery of Hae's body and the subsequent investigation that led to the arrest of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed.

The episode begins with a haunting recording of Hae's voice from a high school project, setting the tone for the emotional journey ahead. Hae was a popular high school student who disappeared on January 13, 1999. Her body was discovered a few weeks later in a shallow grave in Baltimore's Leakin Park.

Police quickly honed in on Adnan as a suspect, due in part to an anonymous tip and testimony from Hae's close friend, Aisha. Aisha revealed that Hae had dated Adnan and recently broken up with him, which led police to believe that Adnan may have been jealous and had a motive for the murder.

The episode explores the relationship between Hae and Adnan, which was kept a secret from Hae's strict parents due to Adnan's Muslim background. Hae's diary entries and recollections from her friends paint a picture of a tumultuous relationship, with Adnan struggling to come to terms with the breakup and exhibiting possessive behavior. However, Adnan claims that he had nothing to do with Hae's murder and that he doesn't remember much from the day she disappeared.

The investigation focused on Adnan's cell phone records, which showed calls made to a friend, Jay, on the day of Hae's disappearance. Jay eventually confessed to helping Adnan bury Hae's body and testified against Adnan in court. However, there were inconsistencies in Jay's story and the episode dives into the details of these inconsistencies and the subsequent trial.

Throughout the episode, we hear from a range of people involved in the investigation and court proceedings, including Hae's family, Adnan's friends, and the prosecutor and defense attorneys. The viewer is left to question whether justice was truly served in Adnan's case, as there are a number of loose ends and unanswered questions that arise from the evidence presented.

Overall, Forbidden Love is a gripping introduction to The Case Against Adnan Syed, giving viewers a deep dive into the complex and tragic story of Hae Min Lee and the investigation that followed her murder.