Eddie King
Staff Writer
A crime drama unlike any other on television, “American Crime” captivates viewers in its first season. An intriguing plot and characters, as well as a realistic and relatable setup, propel the series to greatness.
“American Crime” captures the essence of crimes from a completely different perspective. The series chooses to focus on various characters who are interconnected by a single murder, chronicling the hardship and oppression they face in their search for justice and freedom.
The series begins with a phone call to a father (Timothy Hutton) who is informed that his son has been killed in what seems to have been a home invasion. The remainder of the first episode introduces the other main characters connected to one another by this single murder.
A major highlight of the series is the use of interconnected stories and characters which enrich the plot. The added insight from each of the characters gives more depth to the plot due to the multiple perspectives presented to the viewers. This also allows for more character development because more time is dedicated to the individual story of each character, providing the show with a more lasting appeal than other generic crime series.
Additionally, the different perspective the plot of “American Crime” takes on is innovative and effective in replacing the dull, repetitive storylines most crime shows adopt. The single murder is tracked over the series of ten episodes this season, enabling the producers to complicate the plot, and show all sides of the crime and prosecution process. Therefore the plot is not rushed and the real tragedy takes a back seat to the lives the main characters now lead. The plot is able to develop at a gradual pace which adds more suspense to the series making it more enjoyable than the average crime series.
Also the stellar acting from a relatively unknown cast pushes “American Crime” over the top. The raw emotion and pain the characters express feels incredibly real, drawing in viewers due to the realistic atmosphere the actors create. Since the series closely mirrors an event that could take place in reality, more people are able to feel a strong connection to the show.
However, “American Crime” does touch on questionable subjects such as the prevalence of racism in the United States. A mother who wants her son’s murder charged as a hate crime with no motive for such and a Muslim woman who doesn’t agree with her brother’s Caucasian girlfriend are just a few examples of instances that could potentially fuel racial controversy over the series. These racial undertones while intriguing, are an unnecessary topic that can only further harm the series due to its controversial nature.
Overall, “American Crime” is a refreshing new crime drama that takes a step forward from the repetitive nature of most police procedurals. Profound plot and character development coupled with phenomenal and emotional performances from the actors solidify “American Crime’s” ascension.
“American Crime” airs every Thursday at 10 p.m. on ABC.
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