Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story

[Sarah]

Started watching this last night after a very exciting build up to it.

My first thoughts are I don't know why they have cast Christian Slater as Dan Broderick and 'why is it called Dirty John?' when we've already had that series. It's produced by the same people but apparently the inclusion of DJ in the title is confusing many people.

I had watched a film about Betty Broderick with Meredith Baxter many years ago, and always thought of Dan as a 'big' man - so I can't really settle with Christian in the role. The story itself is very good and I'm on episode 4 now, which is leading to the affair which leads to - well....don't want to spoil it.

Amanda Peet is excellent as Betty although for me does lack the edge that Meredith brought to the role. It is nice to see the couple during their younger years, when they were apparently happier together.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Dirty Betty is on my to-watch list.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

What's the spin -- are they trying to validate that simpering sociopath -- Betty, that is -- in a contemporary way? Or is it something else?

#NoMurderedExHusbandAndHisNewWifeIsEverInnocent

 

[Sarah]

It's set between the build up to the killing (I'm on episode 3) and the early days when Betty and Dan met. She is very much portrayed (so far) as the victim - well apart from when she drives her car into his house - and he so far is portrayed as the controlling partner in the relationship. I'm up to the point where he has started to (creepily) reference his new love interest @Snarky's Ghost

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

It's set between the build up to the killing (I'm on episode 3) and the early days when Betty and Dan met. She is very much portrayed (so far) as the victim - well apart from when she drives her car into his house - and he so far is portrayed as the controlling partner in the relationship. I'm up to the point where he has started to (creepily) reference his new love interest @Snarky's Ghost

The feminists always tried to portray her as the victim (an attitude one of her daughters condemned, saying, "You're not listening....!") so hopefully this series won't go there at the end.

 

[Alexis]

What's the spin -- are they trying to validate that simpering sociopath -- Betty, that is -- in a contemporary way? Or is it something else?

#NoMurderedExHusbandAndHisNewWifeIsEverInnocent

It's set between the build up to the killing (I'm on episode 3) and the early days when Betty and Dan met. She is very much portrayed (so far) as the victim - well apart from when she drives her car into his house - and he so far is portrayed as the controlling partner in the relationship. I'm up to the point where he has started to (creepily) reference his new love interest @Snarky's Ghost

The feminists always tried to portray her as the victim (an attitude one of her daughters condemned, saying, "You're not listening....!") so hopefully this series won't go there at the end.

Well It does sort of portray her as a victim to begin with and he does indeed seem to be a bit of sociopath but as the story unfolds I think she's clearly portrayed as being a nutcase obsessed with her ex and her ex-life. I think it does show her as a whackjob who cant let go despite everyone she knows giving her advice to the contrary.
I mean I know this woman. I've met this woman, I have wasted my time giving this woman advice.

I have been enjoying it and there were a few scenes that were shot where Betty is having lunch with her girlfriends at some California marina restaurant and it right away struck me as very Knots Landing. I think they may have actually filmed such scenes for Knots Landing in the same place in the 1980s. Then in the next episode the ladies are all being seated at their table in that same waterside restaurant and what are they discussing? The previous nights episode of Knots Landing!

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

One should read the Youtube comments on her interviews -- they're 99% women, and all of them defend Betty and even the murders. On and on and on.

Imagine what they'd say if you flipped the genders.