An eye-opening look at the ever elusive and widely unknown, questionable and abusive practices of The Church of Scientology, by those who survived it.
Leah Remini (best recognized for the role of Carrie Heffernan in the long running U. S. t.v. Series, "The King of Queens"), who is a well known celebrity and one that essentially grew up throughout her entire life within the folds of this "church" (and made her separation from it very public in 2013), is our guide on the trepidatious path that lays between joining and leaving this well known religious organization, which has been described by many as a cult.
After my own brief secondhand experience with this consortium (a loved one nearly fell into the permanent clutches of these divisive tacticians after they utilized a technique which preyed on her personal childhood trauma) and its manipulative methods to draw people "in," I believe that anyone can see, through this documentary, how and why it could be so difficult for those within this sect to escape it.
Personal testimonies from Remini and numerous other former C. O. S. Members (which includes Mike Rinder, spokesperson for The Church of Scientology for over 20 years and member for over 40) give us an unprecedented view from behind the sanctimonious curtain which this religion attempts to conceal itself and its' injustices and abuses, within.
One will hopefully gain an understanding that many of these inherently good minded people can not be entirely faulted for their naive "goose-stepping" to a drum beat that carries/carried the promises of being a part of a greater and better picture, as they were and are regularly recruited in their most impressionable years.
Perhaps many who view this will also come to understand that that proverbial "drum beat" is also not limited to the Church of Scientology, but to virtually any and every authoritarian construct within the realms of our modern day society which portrays itself as 'a place to make the good-hearted better than they could be on their own' yet bleeds those same people financially and vilifies those who criticize, or examine it (the organization) too closely.
*Update & note - I originally rated this an 8/10, but have after a viewing of the full first & several episodes of the second season, raised it to 10/10 as my initial review was based on only the initial episodes.
The series continues to be fascinating & riveting as it has expanded to not only show the indignities, abuses, manipulations, divisive attacks, assaults & so much more that this megalomaniacal CULT has perpetrated upon it's members, but the manner in which it attempts to harass both Remini & Rinder in their pursuit of truth & justice against this diabolical faction.
"Groundbreaking" is not a word I've ever used casually in rl, or in print, but for a television documentary like this I'd say it fits perfectly.
This is a show that should be seen by EVERYONE.
Whether you've had personal dealings with the C. O. S. Or have simply encountered any of their naive youth soliciting "The Church" and it's non-existent miracles, or if you've only raised an eyebrow by recent allegations against a well known celebrity who has ties to the C. O. S. & wondered how they are keeping him out of the very hot pot of boiling water he should be sitting in as of this writing.
This is eyeopening, compelling & will hopefully set a "standard" not only for those who are serious about watching real documentaries that give MORE than a simple insight into things that are unknown to most, but for those who produce, create, or aspire to tell us about actual unknown & limited views & stories that they feel need to be seen & told, like the stories you'll find in this captivating series.
