We’re just going to go ahead and say it. Serial killers are fascinating. Yes, it’s hard to stomach what they do. Yes, their actions are things that no sane person can really wrap their mind around. But, maybe not being able to understand why, or how, they can do what they do is part of the strange draw. The first season of Mindhunter debuted in 2017. The newest season premiered in August of this year. Both revolve around the FBI and how the Behavioral Science Unit came to be. This is the branch of the FBI that would go on to create a template of sorts to catch repeat offenders using profiling techniques.
But in order for the agents involved to build a case that this was even a pursuit worth taking seriously, and something that could be useful, they had to gather information. That meant interviewing serial killers who were already within the prison system. The show is an interesting and chilling watch. Here are some reasons why you should be watching Mindhunter right now.
The character of Holden Ford on the show is based on the real flesh and blood FBI agent John E. Douglas. Douglas wrote a book called Mindhunter:Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit. The book is a work of non-fiction, and what the show is based off of. Two other major characters, agent Bill Tench and professor Wendy Carr, are also based on actual people. Then, there’s of course the serial killers. When you watch agents Ford and Tench interviewing the killers, the dialogue is taken from real interviews. Knowing that these killers really exist(ed) is definitely enough to give you the chills. Hannibal Lecter is frightening and all, but these guys aren’t fictional.
If you’re a crime show or movie junkie, you’re probably used to some hot shot detective rambling off a profile. “White male, early 30’s, probably lives alone, well educated.”. Well, the reason they’re able to do that is because of the very work being done in Mindhunter. It’s especially interesting to see how the work was treated like the FBI’s dirty little secret in the beginning. The agents were working out of a basement after all. They had to scrape for funding, had to battle for even a shred of credibility, and were given almost impossible deadlines. In fact, they were largely dismissed by not only the rest of the FBI and higher ups, but even local law enforcement and government officials when they did try to help or lend their growing expertise.
So, Mindhunter does try to inject some narrative that goes beyond the killers and the budding Behavioral Unit. Especially in the second season, where much of it, especially Bill Tench’s issues, are purely fiction. But the serial killers here are the real deal. The first season sees a few different faces, but the main focus is Ed Kemper. Ed is a big man. He’s tall, and he’s imposing. But, he’s also intelligent. He’s well and soft spoken.
The real Ed Kemper has such a pleasant voice, that he’s even spent over 5000 hours in a sound booth, recording hundreds of audio books. He’s also the guy that brutally murdered 10 people over the span of around 9 years. It’s strange. You know this is the bad guy. Guys don’t get much worse than this. But watching Mindhunter you almost forget for a moment what he did. He seems likable. He seems “normal”. And that’s really really scary.
The interviews of the killers are really fascinating to watch. It’s interesting to see how some seem numb. Others seem indifferent. Others are boastful. Some clearly delight in making the agents squirm. It’s an interesting study in the men themselves. The psychology behind it all is something that will grip you. But, the show also does a good job of keeping you on your toes. There are times when the agents get comfortable, and you do too. But then Mindhunter is also quick to remind you that you should be anything but comfortable.
The second season especially will make you feel the frustration and frantic energy surrounding the work. It deals primarily with a series of child murders in Atlanta. Holden’s unit tries to help, but receives a lot of push back. In the end, someone is caught. But did they get the right man? Watch, and let us know what you think.
