A Review of ‘Face to Face with Scott Peterson’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

FACE TO FACE WITH SCOTT PETERSON -- Episode 102 -- Pictured: Scott Peterson -- (Photo by: Peacock)

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the docuseries, ‘Face to Face with Scott Peterson’.
​
There was a time, where murder cases captivated the eyes of the nation, for a brief period of time. For once the verdict was served and the criminal was either set free or sent to jail, that was that. The system did its job, and the faith everyone had in it was utterly justified. But at the end of the 20th Century and at the start of the 21st, that all changed. People began to scrutinize the justice system and had their own opinions upon verdicts, the kind that were divisive in nature, and this all started because of three key cases. First, was the Rodney King Trial since a grave injustice motivated riots that lasted for days and that gave rise to a tense O.J. Simpson Trial.

One that once again divided the nation and captivated it as well, courtesy of its non-stop, wall-to-wall coverage on the daily and nightly news and in the early aughts, the Scott Peterson Trial was another one that captivated us to no end and has stayed with us for two decades now, for reasons that are explored in the new Peacock docuseries, Face to Face with Scott Peterson. A comprehensive story that truly does look at every corner of this case in a fascinating new light. To explore why the case captivated us in the first place. Which in large part relates to the savagery of the crime. Since the death of Laci Peterson went beyond her own, but also… the seeming icy nature of Scott Peterson, who was eventually tried and found guilty of her murder… under more wall-to-wall coverage, created a villain on the national stage that people could not turn away from.

In fact, this documentary points out how much news and information we consumed regarding the case and how that constant coverage made careers for some people since Scott was their business, and business was good. But what truly allows for this documentary to shine and offer more… is the sheer fact that it focuses upon something that wasn’t discussed enough during the trial because of the glamour and glitz surrounding it. In that, there were concerns regarding inconsistencies with the evidence and there were possibilities that were never explored properly and that has led… to the divisive nature of this case. For there are now people who firmly believe that Scott was not guilty of this crime and that the supporting evidence they see, they believe should exonerate him and set him free.

Of course, in order to keep this story fair and objective, that evidence is examined, and it does indeed motivate some questions. The kind that leaves one wondering why those leads were briefly touched upon and why silence surrounds so much of these questions. Not to mention, this documentary outright showcases a judge, in 2024, doing little to have DNA tests performed that can in fact prove whether or not Scott did this. All of which, does indeed engender doubt in the quality and sanctity of the judicial system, which has only grown over recent years, and doubt in the verdict, and that makes… for a compelling and fascinating documentary. One that does what few do, and revisits the case in stellar detail, before presenting all sides of the story. Something that is rare with documentaries in this day and age.

Simply because, so many have an agenda. But this one, just wants to explore why we continue to be captivated by this crime story, and why it is gaining in steam in curiosity once again, and it just wants to be fair. Which it does accomplish, even going so far as to have Scott Peterson speak about the matter for the first time in decades as well, and that makes this… a fascinating story. One that delivers on its goals and serves as both a definitive reflection upon the case that everyone locked into back in the day, and a preview of things to come. Of a long fight for those who believe in Scott’s innocence, to see if by chance, justice was actually served, or if the scrutiny and concern regarding the system… is deserved.

---

Watch ‘Face to Face with Scott Peterson’

Powered by JustWatch