Vanity Fair Confidential Season 1 Episode 9 Mad About the Boys

Vanity Fair Confidential season 1 episode 9, titled "Mad About the Boys", is a gripping tale about teenage anguish, social media, and violence. The episode deftly combines interviews with the victim's friends and family, as well as law enforcement professionals and reporters who covered the case.

The story centers around the murder of high school student Skylar Neese, who was viciously killed by her two best friends, Rachel Shoaf and Shelia Eddy, in July 2012. The three teenagers were close friends and inseparable until the tragic night when Rachel and Shelia lured Skylar into the woods and stabbed her to death. They then hid her body and pretended that their friend had simply run away.

The episode delves into the psychological makeup of the two girls who murdered Skylar. Rachel Shoaf, who eventually confessed to the crime, is painted as a lost soul who struggled with mental health issues. Shelia Eddy, on the other hand, is portrayed as a narcissistic social climber who used social media to create a fake persona that masked her true nature.

While the murder itself is a gruesome and shocking act, what makes "Mad About the Boys" so compelling is the exploration of the complex social dynamics between the three teenage girls. As one interviewee notes, "Teenagers are so good at keeping secrets and so bad at keeping secrets." The episode suggests that Skylar may have been the odd one out in the trio, and that her murder was motivated by jealousy and a desire to maintain a certain image on social media.

"Mad About the Boys" is also notable for its examination of the investigation and legal proceedings that followed Skylar's murder. The episode details the difficulties that law enforcement faced in piecing together what happened, as well as the ultimate success of forensic evidence in solving the case. Additionally, the episode touches on the legal battles that arose around the fact that Rachel Shoaf was a minor at the time of the murder and was therefore subject to different sentencing guidelines.

Overall, "Mad About the Boys" is a deeply disturbing and yet fascinating episode of Vanity Fair Confidential that explores the dark side of teenage social dynamics and the pitfalls of social media. While the episode is focused on the murder of Skylar Neese, it raises broader questions about adolescent psychology and the ways in which social media can amplify existing insecurities and anxieties. As one interviewee notes, "We're all human, we all want to connect with somebody. But we're doing it in this way that can be so dangerous."