"When I first proposed the idea of a serial show that you couldn’t binge on and had to wait for every week, some people thought I was insane. I might still be insane, but at least all my listeners are now crazy with me."-Sarah Koenig
Are you listening to the Serial podcast? The extremely popular and critically acclaimed spin-off podcast from NPR's This American Life is not only the number one podcast in the United States but is also listened to by millions globally. Thursday, episode 10 came out after a Thanksgiving hiatus and it seemed like right before it was available, the internet was about to explode in anticipation. Like most listeners, I was hooked after episode one and like most I have numerous burning questions that I relish discussing with anyone that listens (I usually spend a few hours each week discussing Serial with my husband. The discussion starts after he spends approximately three minutes saying "Mail Kimmph?" You have to let him get it out of his system.)
The rest of this post assumes you have already started listening to the podcast or someone has already spent a few minutes telling you either how riveting the investigation is or how exceptionally well done the narrative is. But in the off chance you are not listening, here is the basic summary. The podcast presents journalist Sarah Koenig's investigation of the murder of a high school girl named Hae Min Lee in Woodlawn, Baltimore in 1999. Her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was convicted of the crime and has been in prison for it the last 15 years. Sarah Koenig spends each episode slowly peeling back another layer of this giant onion of a case.
I would love to write a long essay about Serial (and my hope that Adnan Syed is innocent and not a "charming sociopath") but I'll spare you since it is astounding how much has been written about the podcast already. Instead, I will point you to some of the best written articles and interesting links about the case and podcast. Very briefly, here are my general thoughts about the popularity of the series. For me and many others I have talked to, it seems the draw to Serial is in its deep complexity--on so many levels. First, this is a no-duh-given, but the case itself is complex and confusing which makes it an interesting mystery. (And I am not a fan of shows like True Detective or even Law and Order, so you do not have to be into this genre to get drawn in). However, the thrilling, entertainment value coming from following a real life case does causes conflicted reactions. "Is it wrong to be hooked on Serial?" is a hot topic. After all, a young woman died and an innocent teenager may have gone to jail for it. (I will say, that I think Koenig is quite respectful of the victim, but your heart does break for the family having to relive this). In addition, Koenig's investigation and the case presents complicated questions regarding culture, religion and discrimination which are very poignantly discussed in episode 10. There is also the duality of the two worlds the investigation presents. One is that of the familiar and simple world of a diverse group of high school friends (which is quite relatable to anyone that went to high school in the 1990s and perhaps even more relatable if you are the child of immigrants) and that is contrasted with a not-so-familiar world: the complex judicial system. But primarily, the draw to Serial is the unique reporting done by Koenig. It is inevitable to become a fan of her (well, unless you are this guy). I'll stop here and instead direct you to the Serial rabbit hole I recently went down (Note: Do not google “Serial Jay” unless you have some time to spare).
A Serial guide with links for every type of listener:
For the "I can solve this myself, just give me a minute" types: A list of the best threads from the Serial subreddit
For the critics: This harsh (and high-profile) critique of the podcast and this excellent rebuttal
For the Adnan supporters: Latest news regarding Adnan Syed's appeal and Rabia Chaudry's blog
For those that need another podcast before next Thursday: Slate's Serial Spoiler podcasts (Slate’s Serial page is also filled with lots of interesting reads)
For those that need a glimpse into Sarah Koenig's brain: Her interview with Vulture
For those that wonder about the impact of Serial: Will Serial change how we talk about crime?
For the satirists: This funny Serial parody
For the visual learners: Fun charts for people obsessed with Serial and a timeline
image source: charts from The Bold Italic
-SD
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