It’s been a few weeks since I watched episode eight of the second season of American Crime. This season’s intertwining storyline has focused on schools, rape, sexuality, and more, and seems to have driven zero conversation in the topics it touches upon.
But, it’s not just that topic that makes this a gripping hour, it’s the fact that series creator/producer John Ridley and director Kimberly Pierce and the writers have interspersed real life individuals into the episode. Throughout the hour, real-life Columbine teachers, along with parents and victims of LGBT bullying are featured, reiterating that while we’re watching a dramatization, in real life individuals have and do experience what has transpired. A real face is put to entertainment.
JOHN RIDLEY (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR)
Some of the best television of 2015 went pretty much unseen. American Crime saw it’s first season on ABC average a 1.16 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 4.98 million total viewers. The series created by producer John Ridley (of 12 Years a Slave fame) is an anthology series that addresses real world issues and some of the best acting on television.
The first season addressed the murder of a young man and assault of his wife. Four individuals are brought in for the crime, two Hispanic, one African-American, and one a white woman. What followed was a complicated story that left you wondering who actually was behind the crime as every story became more complicated and character provided more depth in a season than many on tv get in an entire series run. At time uncomfortable, the first season was thought provoking and challenged the viewer to address their own biases and prejudices. It’s not surprising so many looked the other way.
ABC saw past the low ratings, bringing back the series for a second season with many of the same actors in new roles, this time addressing high school drinking, drugging, sexual assault, sexual orientation, socioeconomic disparity, social media, and more. It again continues the nuanced, gripping television the first season began. It’s also difficult to watch, much like the first.
I expected the first season to drive a conversation, a television show that was timely, smart, honest, and brutal. That didn’t happen. I hope the second season does the same, but I expect there to be more of the same, which is a shame since it’s some of the best television I’ve seen since the first season.
CONNOR JESSUP
I’ve seen the first two episode and can say the performances by Connor Jessup as Taylor Blaine and Lili Taylor as his mother Anne are some of the best on tv right now, and deserve award attention when that time comes. Like last year, Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, and Regina King continue to deliver performances of their careers. They’re joined by new and old faces alike for a cast that’s a tour de force.
Television is supposed to entertain, but entertainment can also challenge and make us think. That is embodied by this series’ first season, and so far its second. This is a series that should get us talking about our society, warts and all, and question our thoughts and opinions. By doing so, American Crime transcends entertainment.
The Emmy-nominated American Crime, will make its second-season premiere Wednesday, January 6, 2016 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET).
