‘True Crime Story: Look Into My Eyes’ Recap – ‘Step Three: Activate the Unconscious’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Still from ‘True Crime Story: Look Into My Eyes’ – ‘Step Three: Activate the Unconscious’ Courtesy of SundanceTV/AMC Networks.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘True Crime Story’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked at length about what makes good people in positions of power and trust… fall out of favor and commit strange acts, some of which bring about great harm. Courtesy of the SundanceTV docu-series, True Crime Story: Look Into My Eyes. For this documentary has taken the time to explore in great detail what made a dedicated educator decide to cross some big red lines and be the savior of his struggling students through hypnosis and what we’ve learned about that, has been fascinating and heartbreaking to say the least. Since we have come to learn, that marginalization and a desire to leave a lasting legacy drove Dr. George Kenney to walk down a path that made him appear to be a miracle messiah of sorts.
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But while it has been fascinating to learn about the genesis of such a decision, there is only so much we can learn about what inspires that kind of behavior, and since this is a documentary designed to chronicle the entirety of the harrowing events that took place at North Port High… this next episode served as the right time to explore what came next after those unfortunate deaths. Which was in essence… consequences. For the fallout from all those deaths, was far and wide, to the point where the community and the school was divided over whether or not their principal was a good man or a misguided monster and completely responsible, and his suspension only added to that divide, since enough people demanded his presence at graduation and the school board relented. Which brought about disdain from those who saw him in a negative light.

However, there were greater crosses to bear for what happened since the media scrutiny on the school, exposed other transgressions where Dr. Kenney stepped into situations he should not have. Such as being the primary medical responder to critical medical moments, instead of the school nurse. Not to mention he also made a point to use hypnosis in those situations instead of allowing for standard medical care to take place. Which garnered the attention of the state medical board and those who work to uncover whether or not people are committing a crime by pretending to be a medical professional and offer unlicensed health care and well, that brought the hammer down on Kenney really quick. Because in essence, he was not a licensed health care professional, nor was he legally allowed to practice health care. He was merely licensed to do hypnosis therapy and that was it. 

Which brought forth criminal charges since that was a violation of the law. Which in turn, made it seem as though justice was coming swiftly to the families that lost their children. But that’s when this case took a turn. Because despite being deposed regarding what happened and facing major charges in a court of law… there was a chance to just… end this quickly. A move that would prevent a public trial and hold Kenney accountable so people could move on, and life could return to normal. So, Kenney took a special deal by pleading no contest and quickly headed out of town via retirement. Leaving North Port’s fallen with nothing more than a legacy of questions… the kind that the parents wanted answers for. Which is why, they made a powerful decision. In that, they banded together, and filed a civil suit against the school board and the district.

To get answers, to get justice, and that… is what the finale of this story will explore. How justice was served and what came of that trial. But while we wait for that, we can reflect upon one powerful episode. One that really did remind us that actions have consequences, and that is what we saw here. Because regardless of which side you stand on, regarding the debate of whether Dr. Kenney was an innocent victim or a diabolical monster... he made a choice. He took action and the end result was disastrous to say the least and there were consequences to accompany that choice, and well, with only one episode left, it will be interesting to see how that civil case played out and see what came next for the people of North Port when the dust from this sorrowful storm, settled. Until next time.  

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