Burden of Proof

This beautifully presented documentary is at once a profound family drama and a haunting mystery. Its themes range from coming of age feminine angst over first love lost to a dogged pursuit of elusive justice for a younger sister whose fierce light never dims for the older brother investigating her disappearance in the course of decades. Away at college when she simply vanishes from her bedroom one night, aged 15, he turns over every stone he can, sacrifices a relationship with his mother, and turns middle aged while believing that both his parents conspired to cover up their part in her loss. His own "side investigation" and the case authorities re-open at his urging unfold and show various facets, growing ever more complex, while his personal perspective slowly but surely begins to shift. So we, the audience, also grow in knowlege--and ultimately--in some measure, in wisdom. Pacing is wonderful, allowing for reflection, which continues after the credits have rolled.

I would give this a 6.5 if I could. Burden of Proof avoids most of the pitfalls of the genre, with the exception of padding. It could've been a tight three episodes just by cutting repetitive and meandering content. Which might have helped nudge Jennifer Pandos, the missing 15-year-old whose brother relentlessly pursues justice here, more squarely into the center of things.

From the start, the Pandos parents hurt themselves in the investigation. Until Stephen has to suspect their involvement, becoming estranged from them after hiring investigators and experts in an attempt to tell Jennifer's story.

Increasingly, though, the focus is on Stephen's agonizing over his sister's fate, setbacks in the case and his mother's honesty. I question whether the documentary team had free rein...or if they were beholden to Stephen Pandos for funding.

To wit, one question I waited for: In an abusive home, with a violent, controlling father who isn't getting along with his increasingly troubled teenage daughter, was there also sexual abuse?

It would explain Jennifer's emotional issues and her parents' unfathomable choices and behavior during the investigation. For an outspoken kid, I noticed none of her friends knew exactly what was going on in the house where she felt unsafe.

Without spoilers, I think the issue of the note is far from settled and the final testimony we hear raises as many questions as answers. Possibly more.

Burden of Proof is an outstanding true crime series. I genuinely loved every minute of it and finished all four episodes in one sitting. I would consider on par with some of the best true crime documentaries.

I love how the investigation of this case actually takes place in real time, so we get to watch it unfold as the show was filmed over 7 years. This is an aspect of this series that makes it so compelling, and it is emblamatic of many of the best true crime documentaries. One example that comes to mind would be the Netflix series Making of a Murderer, and also some of the true crime classics like Capturing the Friedmans and The Thin Blue Line.

The production is excellent as it is clear the director and producer are deeply invested in this case, and it is clear that their primary goal is to get to the truth.

The producers go out of their way numerous times to try and track down everyone involved in the case so that they can give them a chance to tell their side of the story in relation to the case. At one point they even manage to track down a person of interest whom the police could not even locate for several years. And the filmmaker's also focus heavily on the family that has literally been torn apart by this tragic case for decades, but they do so in a way that is both objective and compassionate.

On top of that, this case turns out to be a huge mystery, with twists and turns that you will not see coming, and a motley crew of potential suspects.

Burden of Proof will tug at your hearstrings, but it is very entertaining because it covers such a fascinating mystery of a case. I was hooked after watching the first 15-20 minutes and did not stop watching until I had binged all four episodes.

Highly recommended.

Whilst the events surrounding Jennifer's disappearance and strange and intriguing the main thing I took away from watching this is the awful way Margie was treated both by the police and Stephen, her own son.

The officers in the 2006-2009 investigation were disrespectful, obnoxious, accusatory and borderline abusive. The way the spoke to Margie was appalling and downright out of line, they should be ashamed.

As for Stephen he was nothing but mentally abusive towards Margie. He was so obsessed with the notion that his father murdered Jennifer and that Margie was complicit in covering it up that he veered of the path of justice to that of pure vengence, he just wanted his mother to pay whatever the cost. In my view he was cruel and abusive to his mother. He dangled promises of reconciliation and the prospect of allowing Margie a relationship with his daughters like a carrot. She could have these things but only if she (Margie) told him (Stephen) what he wanted to hear regardless (in my opinion) of what was true.

Margie was nothing but consistent in her denial of involvement or that of Ron's involvement and yet Stephen, so blinded by his obsession, was determined to break her down and get her to confess. He comes out of this badly, very badly. He ruined his relationship with Margie and denied her and his daughters any kind of relationship. He doesn't deserve forgiveness for his treatment and abuse of Margie. Shame on him and respect to Margie for somehow remaining decent and dignified through out.

It is definitely an interesting and sad story but the interviews with the father, Ron, and his watered down Walmart-level 3rd wife are so unnecessary. Who need to hear from that couple? He's a felon and still acts arrogant although a christian? He's as trash as they come. That 3rd wife has absolutely no reason to talk about this issue at all. She should have been wiped from any footage. The other interviewees contributed more to this series and were much more interesting to watch. All the father contributed was his little man syndrome machismo.

The brother spending his life looking for his sister is just heartbreaking and his parents are the epitome of deplorable human beings.