I watch a lot of TV shows, probably more than the average person during this lockdown but even that is not enough to cover everybody’s recommendations. I have this whole list of to-watch series and movies that will never end because I keep adding to it. So when someone suggests something, I am always like, I already have too much to watch. Yes! Add that to my list of first-world problems.
But then you just give in and watch it and then it turns out to be something as amazing as The People vs O.J. Simpson. A courtroom drama of the murder trial of football player/actor O.J. Simpson. He’s the prime suspect in the murder of his ex-wife and her boyfriend. It’s based on real events, so if you are going to catch this show because of my recommendation ( I wish), don’t google anything. Just go on Netflix and watch it!
Not going into the details of the plot because this isn't a review of any sort. I really just want to write about my favourite characters Johnnie Cochran ( Simpson’s lawyer) and the dynamic duo Marcia and Chris Darden ( Government Prosecutors). Even when the show settles into the courtroom where there is no visible action. These three put on a great show.
Marcia and Chris portrayed one of my favourite work friendships ever on screen. There are moments of sexual tension but the way they support and work on their shortcomings together as a team gives me a lot of hope. Platonic work friendships with the opposite gender FTW.
Coming to Johnnie, one moment I am feeling chills because of the pep talk he gives O.J and feel sorry for him when he’s being targeted as a black man. A few episodes down the line, when things take a turn and you really begin to question his integrity with the black community and judicial system. Is he inflaming or empowering people? It's always a love-hate relationship with that man.
The show talks about a lot of things, single mothers in the workplace, how strong women are perceived as unlikeable, how identity can blind your eyes to the truth, why systemic violence needs to be eradicated.
One great thing about this show was that you gain a lot of insight into court trials in the U.S.A. Surprisingly most of us will never have this kind of insight about any Indian court ever.
In some criminal cases, jurors (common people) are used to giving an impartial verdict. They are presented with all the evidence by both defendant and prosecution. Any US citizen above the age of 18 without any prior criminal records is eligible for jury duty. But being a juror is not as glamourous as it seems. Once selected as a juror, they are made to stay in a hotel. They can't speak to anyone, even the other jurors. They aren’t allowed access to any media such as television, newspapers, magazines or books since it can influence them. The O.J Simpson trial went on for a year. For one-year random people picked up by the government left their families and jobs to be on this case. You can clearly see how the outcome is affected by their biases and prejudices. Imagine having this kind of a system in India?
Another glass shattering moment for me was the 911 helpline. All this while, I thought it was established in 2001 after the Twin Towers crash which is referred to as the 9/11 incident. So when they kept mentioning the 911 tapes, I was confused because the story happens in 1995. Is it a mistake or a reference to Dark? Is this one of those causal loop thingies? But a simple google search revealed that it was actually established in 1967 and 911 was chosen because they wanted a unique number that had never been designated for an office code, area code or service code.
One great personal takeaway from this show is to give back to your community. When you grow always give back to your community. That is the only way you can ensure nobody goes through the struggles you had to endure. This is something I will always take with me. It doesn’t necessarily have to be money. Mentorship or voicing out their problems or just expressing solidarity. Always remember your roots. Do your part and don’t kick down the very ladder that you climbed.
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