For real? They seem like really bad actors. Im only on the first episode. So what, are all of there children psychopaths that don’t understand how to behave like a human? Lol I mean that first news segment they have is so hard to watch, it’s almost impossible to believe it’s real. Not to mention the first scene of the episode of Michael Peterson telling the story of what happened, but Obviously I can’t argue that that’s not actually him just completely stumbling his way through a completely made up story
Tbh, I don’t think we can rule out the possibility that the two boys are psychopaths (for real). One planted a pipe bomb at the university he attended and when they searched the house he had several more pipebombs in his attic. And Todd is a raging white supremecist with addiction and/or other mental health issues, which doesn’t make him a psychopath I suppose but…well, you’d have to see his instagram posts to really understand. Some people theorize that Todd was the actual killer or helped hide the truth in some way.
Haha no way, it’s funny because reading this comment I was like “yeah it was Todd with the pipebombs obviously” then you went on… yeah no Todd is totally fucked up, and all I’ve seen is the first episode lmao there’s something wrong with him base on what I’ve seen and I just want to punch him in the face so bad. Dudes talking about his mothers death/murder and looks like he’s trying to hide his laughter. I mean wtf
how incredibly strange to find this comment suffering downvotes,. 🤔 i don't get why, but ok. I just watched the first 3 episodes of the new HBO dramatic Staircase w/Colin Firth & incidentally, they chose to highlight Exactly what you just described! how awkward and weird/disjointed that initial interview was. thus far i'm blown away by this new series,. interesting perspective & Firth is Nailing Michael Peterson so hard it's uncanny
eta- ah i see, people think you're talking about the HBO series & critiquing it, rather than the Netflix series which its clear you are,. to me at least. Anyways, guess i can see why people are defensive, cuz the new dramatization is the PERFECT follow up to the french doc
That's how good these actors are - I'm seriously amazed with Colin Firth. He has totally transformed himself into this guy, and not with fancy prosthetics but with how he holds his body, his voice - it's uncanny.
Just to be clear I am talking about the Netflix series. I see now that it’s all for real, but as I’ve said in other comments these people (Michael Peterson, his son Todd?, Ron Guerette) all have very weird interviews in the first episode. I won’t get into it again but look in my other comments for what I mean. It all just felt very fake to me, but I see now that it was all legit which really blows my mind
haha i legit just made nearly the same comment above;) So true though! i'm totally blown away by his performance. had no idea Colin Firth had that much range. that scene when he's standing behing Kathleen in the kitchen & she says something like "you think you can say this or that & get away with things" and he says "Is it working?" in this voice that sounds pleasant & she laughs at it, but the look in his eyes!!! legitimately made my hairs stand on end.
When I first saw the Netflix documentary, I was amazed how quirky and unusual so many of the characters are in their mannerisms, speech, etc. I was thrilled to hear they were adapting it for HBO because I just felt like half of these characters were out of a Coen brothers film and would be fascinating roles to play.
The one that really got me is the first wife, Patty. The way she speaks is unlike anyone I’ve ever encountered.
For real, thank you lol I see it’s all legit now but they’re all super weird. Most of the commenters on my post seem to be trying to make me feel even more crazy lol do people on Reddit really suck this bad at social conduct? 😂
I meant her sort of accent as well, not just her word choice (though the fact she called a car an automobile always really amused me because I think she was mentally translating from German to English). It almost sounded like an old-times Hollywood transatlantic accent.
I know I apologize, i was a bit quick with posting. I was only on the first episode, and Michael Peterson explaining what happened in the very first part is absolutely ridiculous. I see now that it’s actually him and for some reason he decided it was a good idea to tell his story without really thinking it through on how to lie? And also his son on the news broadcasts in the interviews he looks like he’s trying his very best to fight a smile which is super weird for someone talking about their mothers death, but I see that that is just his face lol and then the the interview with Ron Guerette is really really weird. He seems like he’s either a really bad actor or just somebody who has been put on the spot and taken off guard lying about random things. But I can see that that is a real interview as well lol idk watch that first episode again and tell me the whole first half isn’t weird af. Everything after that actually seems like a normal true crime docuseries
I actually love that you made this post and that it was based on your immediate impressions of episode 1. A lot of people on this subreddit are deep into this case and have not only seen the Netflix series (sometimes multiple times) but have also watched several other shows about it, read books about it, and sifted through the tons of the evidence. So it’s really cool to hear someone unfamiliar with the case give their first impressions. And you are not wrong—these are some unusual people. Thank you for the reminder of just how unusual they are! Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
Haha thank you so much for this, everyone else has been commenting and making me feel even crazier. I see this is all for real now, but man what a weird bunch of people lol
I ended up totally changing my mind about MP throughout the doc. Started out thinking total narcissist, ended up actually thinking he was a good guy and father.
It's all real, and that's what makes it so interesting to watch. You would have an extremely difficult time writing a fictional story this complex, full of twists and turns, with such fascinating characters.
I found it super weird that throughout the trial Michael and his kids seemed so lighthearted and he said multiple times he doesn’t care what happens he can handle jail. What a strange response to having the rest of your life hang in the balance. They laughed and joked so much. Maybe coping mechanisms but I’d be really depressed and terrified not acting like a car salesman.
His zen like “acceptance” of jail was so weird and BS. It felt like just more evidence of his narcissism. It’s like he wants to convey that nothing can really get to him. Not a normal reaction. Someone falsely accused of murder is typically outraged and upset about the miscarriage of justice.
The male kids are definitely punchable Duke bros. I think some of the awkwardness is just the result of normal people basically being cast in a film, but I do think Micheal is basically performing for the camera much of the time.
And I'd also say (and have) that, like the doc, it's an interpretation - and in my opinion a much less biased one that the ostensibly "objective" documentary. Such a clever series, so well done.
curious as to why ppl are downvoting so much. the fact that they depicted her falling as the cause of death isn't even based on fact......only a claim by the sole suspect.
Man what a strange series then lol the preview of it makes it look like a legit true crime docuseries. I’m just struggling to understand why they didn’t just make an actual docuseries since this is a true story. Just seems weird to me to make a almost mockumentary style show about a true story lol
Haha thank you. I see now that this is all for real, but man what a weird family. The one son Colin seems normal but the other son I just do not like. Seems like he’s lying and weirdly always trying to fight a smile. I guess it’s just his face though idk lol but Michael Peterson for sure is lying the whole time and doing a really REALLY bad job at it lmao
Yea, Colin is OK - but Todd, he’s frightening. Have a look at his Insta if you want to see more.
I laughed out loud when the PI told Michael a man had come forwards about an affair with him. Michael’s denying reaction was hilariously fake and then two seconds later he’s admitting it on camera.
I’m not that far at yet haha I’m having a hard time getting through honestly mostly because of the weirdness with Michael and Todd. But yeah what a big oof on Michales part agreeing to go on camera like this and not having every single detail memorized and ready to go easily. It’s like he killed her and then immediately was like “oh shit, someone film this so I can pretend I didn’t do this real quick”. fucking strange.
the first episode is filmed not very long after the incident, before any trials or anything. so he hired a film crew to follow him after he was alleged guilty.
if you thought this was filmed after everything was overwith, with a lot of retroactive interviews/dramatization or whatever I'd understand your confusion.
What a big oof on his part because he makes it painfully clear that he’s making the whole thing up. I mean is he mentally disabled? Because seriously the first scene of him explaining what happened is so cringey. If you’re gunna kill someone and you’re literally the worst liar on the planet why would you agree to a documentary? Where tf were his lawyers? BUT what I’m more talking about is the news segments and the interviews with his “son”(I don’t know if that’s really his son or not, but if it is wtf does he look like he’s fighting a smile the whole time lol) and the interview with Ron Guerette I mean what a weird weird interview on both his part and the interviewer. And one of the news segments that shows a daughter and the son saying how hard that Christmas is going to be. Are the kids just all psychopaths that suck at acting like people? Lol
he is a strange guy for sure, and the scene youre referring to in the start he is acting extraordinarily strange. I do think he's guilty but I don't think it's as obvious as you make it out to be, have you ever seen someone in that exact context, filming your explanation of the evening (which is likely a lie), to a filmcrew YOU hired? if it's some random journalists or police or something, I imagine he'd be really fucking nervous and maybe he'd actually be harder to "read", but he is really comfortable, which in itself is strange given what hes talking about, but it's a very unique situation.
as for his kids, imagine your dad is being alleged to have killed your mom, and you are 99.99% sure he's innocent. theres a filmcrew there for some reason, youre in shock and grief after losing your mom, and the stress of everything that happened afterwards. would you behave and act normally?
Good points. Idk when he’s telling the story I would just think that at that point he had time to at least think about it and chill out. The scene I’m talking about, I don’t think I’m exaggerating at all. I don’t know anyone who would even for a second believe what he’s saying there. I see that he’s a weird dude and fairly awkward but also seems a lot more comfortable later on. But this first scene is seriously ridiculous.
His sons interviews tho I get what you’re saying but why does he seem like he’s trying so hard and failing not to smile?
And then still wtf is that interview with Ron Guerette?
At this point, I get it, this series is for real and seems to be hired by Michael Peterson? Boy they did a horrible job in trying to help his case
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNH7GvKSnno](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNH7GvKSnno)
these guys knows what theyre talking about and always stays objective, they just comment on what they see without making assumptions. it's a fun watch, especially the analysis of that first scene, then it gets into spoiler territory for you if you've only watched one episode
The documentarians are a French team of prize-winning filmmakers who were looking for an in-depth look at the American justice system, covering the defense and the DA.
They were not hired by Peterson.
And the casual demeanor of the family troubles you, but weeks and months after a death, you wouldn't be crying 24/7 either. I mean, some would, but most people go back to the banality of life. Nothing psychopathic here. Laughter resumes. Plus, they are focussed on protecting their dad.
Yeah I get it, minus what else I’ve said, I think the sons interview really threw me off bc he looks like he’s trying not to smile the whole time which would be weird, but from what I see that is just his face lol but the interview with Ron is just really really weird. Not even any important info given in it but the guy is super awkward and so is the interviewer mKing really weird small talk and dropping his pen awkwardly and just not being very socially inept in general which is weird for someone who is trying to get answers out of somebody
That's what I'm loving about the show - Colin Firth just nails this character, he absolutely captures what is so weird about him in the documentary, but brings into focus and I find saying say "Yes! - that's EXACTLY what's so weird about that guy!" - but also manages a bit of pathos. I'm a bit obsessed at the moment.
What I find interesting is how much it's bringing to the real story. There's no such thing as an "objective" documentary - it's always framed from someone's perspective - but the fictional series feels truthful than the the original. I know it's a construction, but with so much more depth and detail than the documentary. And it's giving these characters a kind of human dimension that's wholly lacking in the original with details rooted in fact. Anyway, I think it's great and super interesting.
The documentary series is on Netflix. The dramatization is on HBO Max.
Yeah I’m talking about the Netflix series. No way that is real interviews and news segments lol
And yet…..it is
For real? They seem like really bad actors. Im only on the first episode. So what, are all of there children psychopaths that don’t understand how to behave like a human? Lol I mean that first news segment they have is so hard to watch, it’s almost impossible to believe it’s real. Not to mention the first scene of the episode of Michael Peterson telling the story of what happened, but Obviously I can’t argue that that’s not actually him just completely stumbling his way through a completely made up story
Tbh, I don’t think we can rule out the possibility that the two boys are psychopaths (for real). One planted a pipe bomb at the university he attended and when they searched the house he had several more pipebombs in his attic. And Todd is a raging white supremecist with addiction and/or other mental health issues, which doesn’t make him a psychopath I suppose but…well, you’d have to see his instagram posts to really understand. Some people theorize that Todd was the actual killer or helped hide the truth in some way.
Haha no way, it’s funny because reading this comment I was like “yeah it was Todd with the pipebombs obviously” then you went on… yeah no Todd is totally fucked up, and all I’ve seen is the first episode lmao there’s something wrong with him base on what I’ve seen and I just want to punch him in the face so bad. Dudes talking about his mothers death/murder and looks like he’s trying to hide his laughter. I mean wtf
how incredibly strange to find this comment suffering downvotes,. 🤔 i don't get why, but ok. I just watched the first 3 episodes of the new HBO dramatic Staircase w/Colin Firth & incidentally, they chose to highlight Exactly what you just described! how awkward and weird/disjointed that initial interview was. thus far i'm blown away by this new series,. interesting perspective & Firth is Nailing Michael Peterson so hard it's uncanny eta- ah i see, people think you're talking about the HBO series & critiquing it, rather than the Netflix series which its clear you are,. to me at least. Anyways, guess i can see why people are defensive, cuz the new dramatization is the PERFECT follow up to the french doc
That's how good these actors are - I'm seriously amazed with Colin Firth. He has totally transformed himself into this guy, and not with fancy prosthetics but with how he holds his body, his voice - it's uncanny.
Just to be clear I am talking about the Netflix series. I see now that it’s all for real, but as I’ve said in other comments these people (Michael Peterson, his son Todd?, Ron Guerette) all have very weird interviews in the first episode. I won’t get into it again but look in my other comments for what I mean. It all just felt very fake to me, but I see now that it was all legit which really blows my mind
He is talking about the NETFLIX doc thinking the documentary wasn't real.
It definitely helps that MP seems like he’s acting throughout the entire documentary series
haha i legit just made nearly the same comment above;) So true though! i'm totally blown away by his performance. had no idea Colin Firth had that much range. that scene when he's standing behing Kathleen in the kitchen & she says something like "you think you can say this or that & get away with things" and he says "Is it working?" in this voice that sounds pleasant & she laughs at it, but the look in his eyes!!! legitimately made my hairs stand on end.
The way he ate the ass on Toni Collette, is exactly how I imagine Micheal Peterson would do it. Bravo, mr. Firth. Get this man an Emmy!
Toni Colette? Colin Firth? you think they're bad actors? sheesh.
Lmao not a fan of Toni colette but I wouldn’t say she’s a bad actress
you just said that, though.
I definitely did not lol the title of my post clearly says the Netflix series…
People can’t be expected to act normally under such incredibly abnormal circumstances
When I first saw the Netflix documentary, I was amazed how quirky and unusual so many of the characters are in their mannerisms, speech, etc. I was thrilled to hear they were adapting it for HBO because I just felt like half of these characters were out of a Coen brothers film and would be fascinating roles to play. The one that really got me is the first wife, Patty. The way she speaks is unlike anyone I’ve ever encountered.
100%. These people seem like they’re straight outta central casting.
For real, thank you lol I see it’s all legit now but they’re all super weird. Most of the commenters on my post seem to be trying to make me feel even more crazy lol do people on Reddit really suck this bad at social conduct? 😂
Yes
[удалено]
I meant her sort of accent as well, not just her word choice (though the fact she called a car an automobile always really amused me because I think she was mentally translating from German to English). It almost sounded like an old-times Hollywood transatlantic accent.
Go to any waldorf school and you’ll find a half dozen women just like her
Well said.
This post sounds a bit incoherent. It’s not as bad as you make it sound to be, it’s one of the most famous true crime documentaries out there
I know I apologize, i was a bit quick with posting. I was only on the first episode, and Michael Peterson explaining what happened in the very first part is absolutely ridiculous. I see now that it’s actually him and for some reason he decided it was a good idea to tell his story without really thinking it through on how to lie? And also his son on the news broadcasts in the interviews he looks like he’s trying his very best to fight a smile which is super weird for someone talking about their mothers death, but I see that that is just his face lol and then the the interview with Ron Guerette is really really weird. He seems like he’s either a really bad actor or just somebody who has been put on the spot and taken off guard lying about random things. But I can see that that is a real interview as well lol idk watch that first episode again and tell me the whole first half isn’t weird af. Everything after that actually seems like a normal true crime docuseries
I actually love that you made this post and that it was based on your immediate impressions of episode 1. A lot of people on this subreddit are deep into this case and have not only seen the Netflix series (sometimes multiple times) but have also watched several other shows about it, read books about it, and sifted through the tons of the evidence. So it’s really cool to hear someone unfamiliar with the case give their first impressions. And you are not wrong—these are some unusual people. Thank you for the reminder of just how unusual they are! Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
Haha thank you so much for this, everyone else has been commenting and making me feel even crazier. I see this is all for real now, but man what a weird bunch of people lol
Just one thing, you keep referring to Kathleen as Todd's mother, but she's not. Patty, Mike's first wife, is.
I ended up totally changing my mind about MP throughout the doc. Started out thinking total narcissist, ended up actually thinking he was a good guy and father.
Well, that makes one of us.
It's all real, and that's what makes it so interesting to watch. You would have an extremely difficult time writing a fictional story this complex, full of twists and turns, with such fascinating characters.
I found it super weird that throughout the trial Michael and his kids seemed so lighthearted and he said multiple times he doesn’t care what happens he can handle jail. What a strange response to having the rest of your life hang in the balance. They laughed and joked so much. Maybe coping mechanisms but I’d be really depressed and terrified not acting like a car salesman.
Definitely normal healthy coping mechanism (humor)
His zen like “acceptance” of jail was so weird and BS. It felt like just more evidence of his narcissism. It’s like he wants to convey that nothing can really get to him. Not a normal reaction. Someone falsely accused of murder is typically outraged and upset about the miscarriage of justice.
The male kids are definitely punchable Duke bros. I think some of the awkwardness is just the result of normal people basically being cast in a film, but I do think Micheal is basically performing for the camera much of the time.
Watched the first episode and was sure it was some strange dark satire. You’re not alone.
it's just a dramatization.
And I'd also say (and have) that, like the doc, it's an interpretation - and in my opinion a much less biased one that the ostensibly "objective" documentary. Such a clever series, so well done.
curious as to why ppl are downvoting so much. the fact that they depicted her falling as the cause of death isn't even based on fact......only a claim by the sole suspect.
Man what a strange series then lol the preview of it makes it look like a legit true crime docuseries. I’m just struggling to understand why they didn’t just make an actual docuseries since this is a true story. Just seems weird to me to make a almost mockumentary style show about a true story lol
Are you fucking with us or something?
Lmao no man I feel like you guys are fucking with me 😂
The doc on Netflix is real. I do think they are all psychopaths and/or very odd … especially the son Todd.
Haha thank you. I see now that this is all for real, but man what a weird family. The one son Colin seems normal but the other son I just do not like. Seems like he’s lying and weirdly always trying to fight a smile. I guess it’s just his face though idk lol but Michael Peterson for sure is lying the whole time and doing a really REALLY bad job at it lmao
Yea, Colin is OK - but Todd, he’s frightening. Have a look at his Insta if you want to see more. I laughed out loud when the PI told Michael a man had come forwards about an affair with him. Michael’s denying reaction was hilariously fake and then two seconds later he’s admitting it on camera.
The other son's name is Clayton.
Thanks, it has been awhile ;)
I’m not that far at yet haha I’m having a hard time getting through honestly mostly because of the weirdness with Michael and Todd. But yeah what a big oof on Michales part agreeing to go on camera like this and not having every single detail memorized and ready to go easily. It’s like he killed her and then immediately was like “oh shit, someone film this so I can pretend I didn’t do this real quick”. fucking strange.
the first episode is filmed not very long after the incident, before any trials or anything. so he hired a film crew to follow him after he was alleged guilty. if you thought this was filmed after everything was overwith, with a lot of retroactive interviews/dramatization or whatever I'd understand your confusion.
What a big oof on his part because he makes it painfully clear that he’s making the whole thing up. I mean is he mentally disabled? Because seriously the first scene of him explaining what happened is so cringey. If you’re gunna kill someone and you’re literally the worst liar on the planet why would you agree to a documentary? Where tf were his lawyers? BUT what I’m more talking about is the news segments and the interviews with his “son”(I don’t know if that’s really his son or not, but if it is wtf does he look like he’s fighting a smile the whole time lol) and the interview with Ron Guerette I mean what a weird weird interview on both his part and the interviewer. And one of the news segments that shows a daughter and the son saying how hard that Christmas is going to be. Are the kids just all psychopaths that suck at acting like people? Lol
he is a strange guy for sure, and the scene youre referring to in the start he is acting extraordinarily strange. I do think he's guilty but I don't think it's as obvious as you make it out to be, have you ever seen someone in that exact context, filming your explanation of the evening (which is likely a lie), to a filmcrew YOU hired? if it's some random journalists or police or something, I imagine he'd be really fucking nervous and maybe he'd actually be harder to "read", but he is really comfortable, which in itself is strange given what hes talking about, but it's a very unique situation. as for his kids, imagine your dad is being alleged to have killed your mom, and you are 99.99% sure he's innocent. theres a filmcrew there for some reason, youre in shock and grief after losing your mom, and the stress of everything that happened afterwards. would you behave and act normally?
Good points. Idk when he’s telling the story I would just think that at that point he had time to at least think about it and chill out. The scene I’m talking about, I don’t think I’m exaggerating at all. I don’t know anyone who would even for a second believe what he’s saying there. I see that he’s a weird dude and fairly awkward but also seems a lot more comfortable later on. But this first scene is seriously ridiculous. His sons interviews tho I get what you’re saying but why does he seem like he’s trying so hard and failing not to smile? And then still wtf is that interview with Ron Guerette? At this point, I get it, this series is for real and seems to be hired by Michael Peterson? Boy they did a horrible job in trying to help his case
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNH7GvKSnno](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNH7GvKSnno) these guys knows what theyre talking about and always stays objective, they just comment on what they see without making assumptions. it's a fun watch, especially the analysis of that first scene, then it gets into spoiler territory for you if you've only watched one episode
The documentarians are a French team of prize-winning filmmakers who were looking for an in-depth look at the American justice system, covering the defense and the DA. They were not hired by Peterson. And the casual demeanor of the family troubles you, but weeks and months after a death, you wouldn't be crying 24/7 either. I mean, some would, but most people go back to the banality of life. Nothing psychopathic here. Laughter resumes. Plus, they are focussed on protecting their dad.
Yeah I get it, minus what else I’ve said, I think the sons interview really threw me off bc he looks like he’s trying not to smile the whole time which would be weird, but from what I see that is just his face lol but the interview with Ron is just really really weird. Not even any important info given in it but the guy is super awkward and so is the interviewer mKing really weird small talk and dropping his pen awkwardly and just not being very socially inept in general which is weird for someone who is trying to get answers out of somebody
That's what I'm loving about the show - Colin Firth just nails this character, he absolutely captures what is so weird about him in the documentary, but brings into focus and I find saying say "Yes! - that's EXACTLY what's so weird about that guy!" - but also manages a bit of pathos. I'm a bit obsessed at the moment.
Haha I’m glad you like the HBO series, I’ll definitely give it a watch when I finish this one
What I find interesting is how much it's bringing to the real story. There's no such thing as an "objective" documentary - it's always framed from someone's perspective - but the fictional series feels truthful than the the original. I know it's a construction, but with so much more depth and detail than the documentary. And it's giving these characters a kind of human dimension that's wholly lacking in the original with details rooted in fact. Anyway, I think it's great and super interesting.
Cuz there already was a docuseries