‘Based on a True Story’ Recap: ‘The Great American Art Form’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

BASED ON A TRUE STORY -- "The Great American Art Form" Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Kaley Cuoco as Ava, Chris Messina as Nathan -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Based on a True Story’.
​
It is definitely safe to say that we harbor an interesting relationship with pop-culture and entertainment in this day and age. For what was once simple entertainment designed to pass our down time, has now transformed into something life changing. For it is full of helpful life lessons and in many ways, served as outright salvation during the pandemic. Because without entertainment and the positive nature of it and the experience it takes us upon, who knows if we would have been able to maintain our sanity during such a trying time. Not to mention, its accessibility and the sheer demand from the masses, has allowed for anyone to become a star and join the pop culture pantheon with a little bit of effort.
​
After all, there are people who now have wild followings on YouTube and a career in entertainment thanks to that accessibility and demand. Not to mention, these days the podcast market can take people in a whole different direction career wise, as evidenced by say the True Crime Podcast market. Which is giving rise to all kinds of fascinating information regarding real cases, and it is providing the world with new voices and stars and experts on such matters. And even justice for the fallen. But while all of that is cause for celebration and satisfaction since it speaks to the wonder of the world and what entertainment can do for us… it is important to be reminded that a dark side does exist to pop culture and entertainment.

Since some get lost within it and lose sight of what matters, and there are some who gain fame and abuse it or use it for nefarious purposes, and there are some… who join the world of entertainment for all the wrong reasons and cause harm to themselves and others in doing so. Especially with True Crime Podcasts since facts and evidence matter above all and well, it just so happens that a new series on Peacock is taking the time to explore that shadier side to fame and fortune in this new world of entertainment, and that makes Based on a True Story, a fascinating watch.

For its series premiere, ‘The Great American Art Form’, is a story that ponders upon… the negative reasons as to why people might want to take part in stardom, and it accomplishes that feat by introducing us to a couple that is dealing with crises on all fronts. For while Ava and Nathan Bartlett are expecting their first child… which should be cause for celebration and unity, there’s a lot wrong in their lives. Ava for example, can’t get a break at her real estate job and Nathan has basically lost his as a Tennis instructor at a posh Los Angeles country club.

---

BASED ON A TRUE STORY -- "The Great American Art Form" Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Chris Messina as Nathan, Tom Bateman as Matt -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)

Not to mention, the spark has gone out of their marriage, and they aren’t sharing in all that much these days, and of course… new bills are piling up at the worst time. Making it seem as though, disaster awaits. That is… until they find something new to share in. For a serial killer terrorizing Los Angeles has brushed up against their chaotic lives and well, since Ava loves a good True Crime podcast, she believes now is the time to strike and crack into the market with a bombshell show. One where she and her husband can not only crack the case, but where she can get airtime with the killer himself via an interview. Simply because she believes she has figured out who the killer might be, and now all she must do is use his freedom as bargaining chip to seal the deal.
​
Which is… a brilliant way to explore the dark side of entertainment and pop culture. Because it truly does explore in grand detail… what could motivate a person to want to be a celebrity for all the wrong reasons. Because for this couple, it isn’t about fulfilling a calling or a need, or even a dream of fame and fortune, well… at least for Ava… since Nathan has tasted the limelight and clearly wouldn’t mind being back in it since his pro tennis career was cut short. No instead, this is about… desperation. Because they need the money, they need to feel something positive about themselves since their lives are coasting about and they of course… need a thrill… and those are wrong and terrible reasons to get into the business. Not to mention, there’s a real danger present here.

For this story makes it clear… that the killer isn’t just some bumbling fool who could easily be caught. He’s a savvy monster. One that carefully chooses his victims and knows how to evade the police, despite a very generic clue being discovered, the one that leads Ava to think she knows the identity of the killer. But that aside, what matters more here is that she is chasing a killer, a person who doesn’t value anything but their dark desires and that could bring forth serious trouble and really, all of these elements are the perfect setup to what will be a fascinating story. One that will deeply explore this central theme and more in episodes to come in careful and fascinating detail. Since clearly, this story is all about covering every corner regarding its subject matter.

As evidenced by the deep exploration here of what drives people to want to be in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons and this premiere deserves a round of applause for going that route. For that properly introduced us to the characters and helped us to understand their plight and their decision, regardless of its foolish nature. And it also deserves marks for handling this… in a comical manner. Because that ensures that the dark subject matter is never overwhelming and digestible and well in the end, this is a magnificent and engaging premiere that definitely leaves us eager to continue the journey. To see if Ava and Nathan can indeed coax a serial killer onto a podcast and learn some valuable and dangerous lessons about fame and fortune and glory, along the way. Until next time.

---

Powered by JustWatch