Ep 1. Monster

In the first episode of Truth Be Told's inaugural season titled "Monster," we are introduced to Poppy Parnell (Octavia Spencer), a true-crime journalist who gained notoriety for her coverage of the murder trial of Warren Cave (Aaron Paul) nearly two decades ago. She is now a successful podcaster, utilizing her unique skillset to examine crimes from a fresh perspective and bring new information to light.

Poppy is approached by Micah Keith (played by Haneefah Wood), who had reached out to her previously to express her belief in Warren’s innocence. Micah has new evidence that she believes can exonerate Warren, and she persuades Poppy to reexamine the case on her podcast, "Reconsidered: The Warren Cave Story." Poppy initially has her doubts about Micah's claims but decides to investigate further.

Poppy also faces her own personal struggles as her father, Leander (Ron Cephas Jones), is dealing with early onset dementia, which has her questioning her work-life balance. However, she is determined to find the truth and sets out to peel back layers of the case that has haunted her since the beginning of her career.

Throughout the episode, we see flashbacks to the original trial and an uncomfortably personal connection between Poppy and Warren, only adding to the layered complexity of the story. Additionally, viewers are introduced to other key players, including Warren's mother (Elizabeth Perkins) and an old acquaintance of Poppy's who happens to be a police officer, Markus Killebrew (Mekhi Phifer).

As Poppy delves deeper into the case, she starts to uncover discrepancies and lies that were previously overlooked. She interviews key witnesses and people involved with the case years after the trial to re-examine the details of Warren's supposed crime. The conflict arises when Poppy starts to question whether she is doing more harm than good by re-examining the case after so many years.

"Monster" sets up the overarching theme of Truth Be Told: the exploration of truth, power, and perspective. Poppy's quest to uncover the truth behind Warren Cave's conviction is just the beginning of a larger conversation about the societal power structures that, for better or for worse, shape what we accept as undeniable truths.

The episode successfully sets up the mysteries and questions that will carry us through the rest of the season. It especially excels in teasing the complicated relationship between Poppy and Warren, leaving viewers with an eagerness to uncover more. The blend of true crime investigation with personal drama and social commentary make Truth Be Told a captivating show that is definitely worth the watch.