"Dirty John" is a real crime story that serves as a showcase of talent

"Although this program is based on real events, certain scenes and characters have been dramatized or fictionalized."

This is the disclaimer at the end of each Dirty john This episode, and in a way, the fact that the series gives more respect and attention to its source than many other projects "based on real events" gives the impression that Dirty john the series is not exactly a 100% adaptation of Los Angeles Times' A real crime podcast, but it's straddling the kind of show that people will call "guilty pleasure" and telling a story that's pretty authentic and authentic, all things considered.

An admission: the real crime podcasts (as well as the real crime documentaries or the entire Investigation Discovery program) do not do anything to me. Are real people suffering from real trauma because both the logic and the system are lacking? That's why comedy podcasts have been invented because who would want to listen to it all day? That's what I feel, anyway. But put in the form of a scripted series and bring the necessary talent to play these "real people?", That's a hook I can have behind. Especially when Connie Britton and Eric Bana are involved.

With Dirty johneven after seeing only three episodes, I can say with some confidence that there are still some certainties in the series. The first is that Juno Temple deserves its own special award, especially for playing Veronica Newell, Debra's eldest daughter. Neither an Emmy nor a Golden Globe will suffice. The second certainty is that Dirty john is really special for the cast of Jean Smart and Connie Britton as mother and daughter, and also bright enough to subtly show how the thought process that allows Debra to avoid the warning signs when it comes John (and presumably any man with whom she had already been) was so clearly transmitted to her by her mother. Last but not least, there is the certainty – or at least a strong argument – that Connie Britton is and remains our greatest live television actress.

At this point, being a series with Connie Britton, the character matters less than the fact that it is played by Connie Britton. This is the draw which, honestly, could lead to much more disappointing choices, provided you realize that the character is less important than the actor. (That felt like that towards the end of his race on Nashville.) But like any great actor, she manages to bring something new to the role of Debra Newell that is not limited to saying "the new character of Connie Britton".

The defect is perhaps not to like his unconscious character – willingly, especially very early – but Britton emerges an empathy for this character (and for the real person in which he was inspired) who, unfortunately, just wants to be loved. Although it would be so easy (though not necessarily good) to make Debra the joke and the "as much" of the bad guy (in his mediocre decision-making) as John does, Dirty john and Britton really make sure not to stand in Debra's shoes (despite the bad choices) by agreeing that it's not easy for a woman of her age to find love, or even love her. # 39; honesty. The series opens with a voiceover of Debra, essentially explaining how she can continue to pass through all the red flags that she does:

I believe in dreams You can live in dreams If you design the space where the story will take place, you will be able to control both of them You can create beautiful people's rooms, where only the good things happen Peaceful mornings Elegant parties Romantic dinners Love If you design the most beautiful life, nothing ugly can get it.

The voiceover really explains everything, because the literal decorator sees life through a figurative interior design, through compartmentalization. It is a very naive approach, but at the same time tired of the world, of life. So it makes sense that Connie Britton be drawn to a series like Lifetime