It’s hard to imagine the magnitude of responsibility that rests on the shoulders of each FBI agent. NetFlix chose 2017 to be the year they pulled back the current on a specific time in the Federal Bureau of Investigation history, the late 1970’s. A time when the phrase serial killer was foreign to local law enforcement across the country. Leaving only a select group of government agents qualified to properly handle tracking down reoccurring murders with no apparent motive.
To the shows credit, the stress absorbed by both leads, Jonathan Groff and Holt MacCallany felt authentic as well as terrifying. Starting with Bill Tench, played by Holt McCallany. The senior partner’s family life from the beginning of the story is an upward battle. Combined with consent travel and a troubled son, the viewer can sense the relationship is in jeopardy. The true exposure of Bill’s taxing commute comes at approximately 19:33 of episode 3. The director of photography Erik Messerschmidt masterfully captures the actor in an almost completely dark hotel room. The expression, a picture tells a thousand words, rings true. As the scene unfolds you watch a man at the brink of exhaustion attempt to hold a conversation with his wife Stacey Roca.
Along with Bill, his optimistic partner Holden Ford showcases just how much his position has affected his psychic when he is unable to perform with his girlfriend, Debbie in season 7. The prison interviews finally took their toll, turning the once composed young investigator into an impotent boyfriend.
The level of stress that the two main characters endured did more than entertain, it raised several important questions. One being to what extent do traumatic childhood experiences, especially those involving their parents, affect the degree to which they can feel empathy as adults? Additionally, to what extent should society be educating their citizens about the potential long term damage of chronic stress? Questions I’m sure can only be fully answered by the men and women who have dedicated years to psycho analysis. None the less my interest in human psychology is heightened; creator Joe Penhall will certainly see the light of a second season.
Chris Bonafede