Sins of Our Mother

In my opinion this documentary came way too early. I'm writing this review as somebody who has been trying to follow the case since 2020. I remember when the kids were still missing and that lady was found just chillen in Hawaii... and then later it was just such a heartbreaking discovery after those poor kids were found in Idaho. The details however have not been made public and most people who are following this case have already known what was put into that documentary. It seemed more focused on the brother's feelings towards his mom (which is fine) but it's shocking that the mom of Lori Vallow had the nerve to be in the documentary. Was she paid after that? Not sure how that works exactly but if so, that's ridiculous cuz she already made a fool of herself doing early interviews defending Lori. That family is twisted. We wanna know what happened exactly to those kids, to Charles, and to chads wife.

Also... Melanie Gibb is a 2-faced liar and I really think she knows waaaaay more about the plans chad and Lori had concerning the children. She tried to look like a naive friend during that recorded phone call but that woman knew what Lori and chad believed spiritually, agreed with them, fed into their conspiracies, and was a member of their little cult! The podcast was made from her too! They trusted her for a reason as a person who "had JJ." Something isn't adding up there so although the documentary shared a lot about the case, it wasn't enough. I guess we'll learn the sad horrific details next year during the trial. It's very, very sad.

It amazes me that there are people in the world who think they can be the voice of God. Lori and her friends supposedly believed that God was talking to them and telling them to kill demonic spirits that were trapped in the human bodies of their family members.

It's frightening to realize how insane these types of people can be. The show even interviews a woman who claims she hears from God personally. As if this small town hillbilly is so important that God would speak to her before anyone else. Just shocking how delusional some people can be but I suppose it happens all the time, sadly. Great documentary. I never followed much about this case and the series caught me up to speed. What a nutcase Lori and her followers are. None of them had any logic or critical thinking. Yikes.

Where to begin with this train wreck? Chad Daybell, a grandiose narcissist mediocre in every way, finds an enabler in Lori Vallow, a covert narcissist who is as unhinged as he is, to help him carry out his fantasies of being god and executioner. These people are narcissistic because they have never cared about anyone else but themselves. They would not otherwise have played those around them like a chessboard and decreed who was worthy of living; note how someone was a light or dark spirit depending on their utility to them.

Ironically, when they accuse other people of being zombies, they are the ones with empty and soulless eyes, hiding behind masterfully crafted disguises as faithful man and dedicated mother to conceal their voracious appetites for admiration and validation that can never be sated, and a deadening void that can never be filled. These people are prime examples of why we should always pay attention to what people do, instead of being beguiled by what they say. In this instance, doing so could have saved a few lives.

Another documentary about cults and "religious" groups showing that a mothers love can be shattered by these weirdo's. How can people be so gullible?! I'm an atheist but I truly respect other people who believe in a god as long as they don't try to preach to me, but these groups take it too far. So sad that there are people out there who feel so much of a void in their own life that they get hooked in by these nutters. A decent documentary but once again Netflix feel the need to chop up what could have been an hour and a half documentary, not two 50 minute episodes and the last 39 minutes. I guess they just want to have the words "true crime series".

Respectfully, Mrs. Janis Cox, I don't think so. The way Lori Daybell's parents give interviews makes me too uncomfortable. Lori killed her children for her selfish reason to make the marriage with Chad work and covered the real motive for religious reasons. Religion surely played a part but it is the coping mechanism for her to justify the horrible deeds she's done and the channel to alleviate her guilt. Her parents are doing the same thing. Barry and Janis blame Satan for her daughter's moral corruption right from the start. No wonder Lori and Alex turned to be fanatics who give spiritual meaning to all of their wrongdoings and take no responsibility for their actions.

A few advisory panels and guest speakers of the series undermine the credibility of the whole series. Julie Rowe - who says the same bs as Chad Daybell does - criticizes him and tells how his belief is different from hers or traditional LDS. Are you for real? What is the role of Justin Lum, an Arizona-based journalist? All the facts and information are clearly organized and delivered from the producer while he says stuff like 'Lori was smiling when the police came.' We can see that with our own eyes and make inferences based on observations. Those are the roles of friends or witnesses. For god's sake, he's the journalist, and the only thing he does is to make assumptions.

Making Colby a main narrator of the story is a hard but wise choice. He is the victim of the case as well but misunderstood as an accomplice by stupid Internet. He is the one who is most affected by the crimes and who can tell the most accurate story in the most convincing way.