Waco

This miniseries was done very well, giving perspective from both sides. Based on 2 books written, one by a Branch Davidian and one by the main FBI negotiator. Because the official government report that was written, I had always thought it was a mass suicide at the end of the standoff. This miniseries sure points to the government's failure as the cause of most of the deaths. Very thought provoking indeed. There are many well-known actors in this series, which elevates the quality of the accounts. This also brings great insight into the aspects of people's personalities that get caught up in the cult mentality. When you are insulated from any information outside your bubble, you lose the ability to think critically.

For anyone that was not alive in 1993, or living under a rock, this miniseries takes a look, from all sides, at the standoff in Waco Texas, led by the FBI and ATF versus one David Koresh. Fearing the amount of guns being hoarded at the retreat occupied by the religious group, the ATF tries to serve a warrant that turns into a firefight and a 51 day stand-off.

This series explores these event from both side, told by the survivors, from both sides. I do not know where other reviewers on here can substantiate the claims that this is factually inaccurate, given that the information comes from those that lived. Surely there is the typical embellishment that is typical for anything that is produced by Hollywood, you know, to amp up the drama. This does raise a lot of good questions though. Does the government go too far some times? I think we can all agree to this. Who actually shot first? Who or what started the fire?

I feel it was necessary to end the conflict, as it did stretch on for almost two months, but was it ended in the best manor? This with some other questions will never be answered, I am sure. The real tragedy here is that 25 children died, and these are wholly innocent lives. They did not choose to be there and it is beyond sad that this had happened to them. As for the reviewer that said they all deserved to die, who are you to judge? Children never deserve death.

I read a few reviews of this series, and some people seem to say that the facts have been accurately portrayed. If so, not only were ATF and FBI irresponsible, but also erratic, spiteful, deplorable on every step and angle.

Why have a negotiator in charge if it was to systematically undermine him and renege on every deal he made?

I read that oh yeah Koresh did abuse young girls so he deserved it etc... For starters, that fact does not seem unequivocally established, looks like the ATF/FBI have tampered a tad with reality to match their best interest, and controlled the story-telling, at least partially. Needed to cover their backs. "If you want to put down your dog, blame it on rabies" says an old french adage.

Whatever the guy did, don't go all guns blazing. Catch him and try him.

I think everyone (pro or anti-Koresh) who watches the show will be appalled by the way they handled things. But then again, did the story really happen this way?

Every actor in this is incredible. The resemblance of Koresh to Kitsch is uncanny, even the voice. This man has many movies in his future, his acting is superb and the screen loves him. This movie seems pretty accurate so far, and it really delves into the human side of every single person involved. It is almost if there are multiple protagonists - the children, Koresh, the FBI negotiator who clearly wanted to end this with no violence, and the lost souls whom we only slowly get to know. There are no dull moments. I am loving this series so far....

All I can say is WOW. Michael Shannon and Taylor Kitsch are incredible in their roles as an FBI agent and cult leader. Although you don't want to root for Kitsch's character, you can't help but be drawn in by his outstanding deliverance from David's vision of the bible. Michael Shannon portrays his character in an exact delivery on an apposite side of what David believed, but has a severe sense of conflict with the FBI that he shows in his alone time.

If this initial episode is just the fire cracker of what we all know is to come, I cannot wait for the following episodes.