Os Filhos de Sam: Loucura e Conspiração

If you think this documentary is about Berkowitz, then you will be disappointed. I suspect not all the negative reviews made it to the last episode where it really reframed the story.

The descent into darkness mentioned in the title is not about Berkowitz's descent into darkness, it's about the journalist who got too obsessed with the case.

There are some aspects of the storytelling that could be better, but we thought it was interesting enough.

This one will take you on a four hour tour of New Yorks finest misguided pride and a reporter who just can't let go. Although the tale is not something you want to acknowledge by any positive words, it is, however, fascinating. Old interviews, old images of NY, footage of days long gone. Detectives with oversized moustaches and glasses. The Son of Sam has it all. Topped with some twists and turns, the episodes have enough to keep your attention. And finally a series where there is a beginning and an end. You may not like the outcome, but you will be entertained.

This is a look at the Son of Sam case from the perspective of an investigative reporter determined to reveal that David Berkowitz was not the sole actor in the infamous crime spree. Maury Terry, through documentary footage, interviews, news clips, and narration by Paul Giamatti, unfolds a detailed conspiracy theory that involves a Satanic Cult, the real sons of Sam Carr, and, even, Charles Manson. Whether you buy this conclusion or not the documentary is a good overview of one of the most infamous cases in NYC crime history. The 1993 Interview with Berkowitz himself is one of the most interesting elements. This together with the suicides and mysterious deaths around the other In Berkowitz's circle raise serious questions about the NYPD's ultimate conclusion. Worth watching.

The Sons of Sam: New documentary series about The Son of Sam murders. It gives the background to the killings and the accepted story that David Berkowitz was the lone gunman. But it moves on to suggest the involvement of others and makes a decent case that two brothers may not just have assisted Berkowitz but actually carried out some of the slayings themselves. It then goes further to suggest involvement by The Process Church of the Final Judgement (and their Scientologist origins), Charles Manson and even the murder of a "Snuff" film producer. There certainly was evidence in the case which was ignored by police and a series of strange deaths but perhaps the net is cast too wide here to create an all encompassing conspiracy. Nevertheless it is an enthralling tale as it outlines the obsessions of one man, Maury Terry, who pursued alternate theories of what was really behind the murders. Written & Directed by Joshua Zeman. On Netflix. 8/10.

It's worth watching but you must watch the entire series. All four episodes. Why? Because the fourth episode puts everything in context and does a nice wrap up that brings everything together to make sense.

The middle two episodes go down the rabbit holes of conspiracy theories pretty heavy. I think some of it was conspiracy, but my thinking is some of it was peer pressure. Some of it was copy cat and some of it crimes of opportunity, some of it was people getting their kicks by committing a heinous crime.

The series was entertaining and very informative. Everyone who watches the series will feel differently about it. It wasn't phenomenal but it was definitely worth watching.