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Mindhunter - Tell, don’t show


Mindhunter


Mindhunter is an interesting show about the origins of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. I was curious, the minute I heard about it. It’s the beginning of a study that I was quite interested in during my college days.

The story takes place in the seventies, extremely well recreated down to the smallest detail. It also gives us good, deep characters in a combination that makes it impossible for you to watch only one episode. As The Sinner, it is not about the crime itself, but rather about the "why" and understanding the mind of the criminal. 

Fighting For Recognition


Focused on the early days of the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, Mindhunter shows how a couple of passionate professionals worked hard to be taken seriously by the rest of the bureau and other law enforcement agencies.

It is fascinating the way they enter the psyche of serial killers, trying to find out how their minds work. While conducting their intriguing study, they must continue living their lives, which don’t remain unaffected, as you may imagine, by the things they see and hear. 

From my point of view, this show is a fresh angle on the theme.

Second Season - one step forward


The second season, recently released, is, psychologically speaking, more intense than the first one.

Crimes that involve children are always more terrifying, but in this case, the whole environment was under pressure. It raises the delicate question of race and color. The victims were all black kids, in a time when the KKK was a very active group. Besides, it was common knowledge that there were police officers among them, which added an additional layer of pressure on the FBI team.

More Than Theories


For the first time, theories come to practice - on the field, under pressure. Not everyone willingly accepts the behavioral unit's knowledge as true. This environment of doubt makes Holden (Jonathan Groff) eager to prove himself right, leading the team to face some delicate situations with the Atlanta PD. 

Soon, frustration takes place. They realize that the progression will be slower than they would like to, and that theory and practice are two very different things. The chock between the FBI agents and the local authorities is quite evident.

In this season, we also have a more intimate side of the story, when the personal life starts to come across work. The barrier that should separate both parts of their lives begins to get thinner, and Agent Tench (Holt McCallany) has a hard time balancing all sides of his life.

This second season has more drama, and it is more emotional. I liked the way the show evolved.

Psychological show


Mindhunter is a psychological show. There aren’t walls covered in blood and terrifying screams as you might think, because the show is about serial killers. You don't watch the crimes; you are told about them by their perpetrators. Its impact, however, is quite impressive.

With a very clever plot, it shows us the beginning of the studies that led us to what we know now, revealing the importance of that information. 

In two words: fascinating and absorbing.
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