I don't know how I'm going to survive my drive to work this week since I finished listening to the Serial podcast. My new job and hour commute was the perfect time to catch up on this gem that everyone was buzzing about in December.
For anyone even more behind than me, Serial was a weekly podcast spin-off of the radio show This American Life, hosted by Sarah Koening, who told the true story of the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee, a popular high school senior in the Baltimore area. Her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed was convicted and is serving life in prison for her murder. Koening skillfully re-examined his case and presented a gripping story with more holes than a slice of swiss cheese. You can and should download the Serial podcasts. Be sure to watch these SNL SERIAL and FunnyOrDie parodies too when you're done!
The series made me think of a book club I was in several years ago when we read The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold. The novel is told from the point of view of the young victim settling into heaven as she sees her murder solved and the reaction of her family and friends. I realized then that my idea of heaven is True Crime Heaven. I want the TRUTH about all of the murder stories I have heard throughout my life.
I picture myself on the escalator ride up to the pearly gates with each floor being a glimpse into the crimes of the century, like who murdered JFK, Marilyn Monroe, Nicole Simpson, JonBenet Ramsey, Reeva Steenkanmp, and now, Hae Min Lee. I'll finally get to see if what I suspected was TRUE (multiple shooters, Peter Lawford, OJ, Patsy, Oscar, Adnan). Huh, interesting, I knew it!, no way, why, no?
Then I got to thinking that maybe that's too ugly a view to take with me. Maybe senseless, ugly human behavior is best left to the imagination and writers of Law & Order franchises. Why is it so hard to know the truth? Does anyone ever say yes I did it, but here's why? Oscar Pistorius, to his credit at least admitted he made a mistake (take away points for killing her on Valentine's Day, though). Was he telling the truth?
I'd also like to know how the "Mail Kimp" soundbite got included on Serial. Seriously, did they only interview three people for that spot?
What is your idea of heaven? What would you like to know on your escalator ride?
