‘Manhunt: The Night Stalker’ Recap – ‘Episode 1’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode One of ‘Manhunt: The Night Stalker’ and this article also contains reference to sexual assault. Which could trigger individuals that are sensitive to that subject matter.
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One of the most difficult tasks that a writer will ever have to face, is adapting a true crime story into a television series or a motion picture. Because real life crime is often disturbing and terrifying, and the small or big screen are places where we are supposed to escape the terrors of the world. So, if the writer decides to keep too much reality in the adapted version of said crime… there’s a good chance a potential audience will be scared away. Yet at the same time, drifting too far from reality can also alienate an audience since they aren’t here for interpretation, they’re in this for balance and education and that’s no easy task, and time and time again we’ve seen many talented writers fail to achieve that balance and instead offer up a story that leans into the abstract or the uncomfortable.

But once in a great while, you come across a true crime adaptation that is in fact, perfectly balanced and outright flawless in how it tells its story, and it just so happens that Acorn TV is now host to one of those perfect adaptations. For yesterday saw the premiere of season two of Manhunt, and it just so happens that this year’s re-telling of the life of times of Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton, is going to revolve around one of his highest profile cases… The Night Stalker. Yes, that’s right, the ultra-disturbing case that befuddled the Metropolitan Police for seventeen years gets its adapted day in the sun, and well… there are several key reasons as to why this writer is referring to this dramatization of this incredible case as perfect.

One of which, is the sheer fact that this premiere makes use of some old-school horror techniques to get across the disgusting nature of The Night Stalker’s heinous crimes without outright putting the fear of God into the audience. Which in this case involves, less being more. For when TNS strikes, the series makes use of quick cutaways and implications, and it is also quick to show us just enough when it comes to the aftermath of his actions and it is the characters who point out exactly what happens when he enters a victim’s home, and by going this route and not showing us all the grim details of his crimes, our imagination and underlying understanding of this type of individual, work together to give us a sinking feeling. One that truly makes us uncomfortable, and that is the proper way to get across the gravity of this ugly crime in a subtle and palatable manner.

Plus, this is a series that uses dramatic elements to draw out our desire for justice. A feat that the story accomplishes by painting some of the members of police as well… aloof and/or apathetic to what’s going on. Which we know wasn’t the case, and this is rendered slightly moot by the complaints present from some officers about a lack of funding and help. But just a hint of apathy is enough to enrage a viewer and demand that justice come into play and that’s exactly what we get here and there’s even a sense of urgency here as well. Since Colin’s retirement looms large over this story, making it feel as though he is going push his hardest to solve his case before turning in his badge, and those elements really do suck the viewer in and compel them to continue the journey so that Colin and all the peopleThe Night Stalker harmed, can finally enjoy peace.

Also, it doesn’t hurt that the acting is top notch. Because you need a solid cast to sell this kind of subject matter in a believable manner and we absolutely get that there. Since so many of the actors sell the exhaustion and frustration these poor officers are dealing with, and Martin Clunes is simply electric at DCI Colin Sutton. For he brings a restraint and frustration to the role here that really helps us to understand how eager he is to just dive in and be the guy to take charge in the case, and it looks like his time in regard to that is near. Since the closing moments of this tale see him pondering upon new ideas on how to approach this case and well, all that does is leave us hungry for more of this instantly brilliant series. One that really understands the power of balance and how to properly engage an audience regarding a story about a heinous crime and now that this opening chapter has come to a close, the hunt for The Night Stalker, and the justice we crave... can begin. Until next time. 

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