It Was Him: The Many Murders of Ed Edwards

It Was Him: The Many Murders of Ed Edwards is a chilling criminal investigative documentary series produced by the Paramount Network in 2017. The series is enormously captivating and leaves an indelible imprint on the viewer's mind who has a penchant for true crime and real-life mysteries. The unparalleled narrative and compelling evidence result in an absolutely riveting viewing experience. The series pretty much engulfs viewers into the enigma and terror of its titular character, Ed Edwards.

The storyline delves into the notorious and malignant life of Ed Edwards, a convicted killer. Edwards is renowned as much for the horrific crimes he committed over a prolonged period as he is for his profound ability to evade justice. He left a trail of fear wherever he went, starting from the mid-twentieth century to the onset of the new millennium. The documentary presents a thought-provoking exposé of Edward's criminal history, which includes cold-blooded murders, robberies, arsons, impersonating a federal officer, and frauds.

The series chronicles an in-depth investigation into Edward's life and crimes, both confessed and suspected, meticulously conducted by his own grandson, Wayne Wolfe, and retired cold case detective, John Cameron. Cameron, who has spent years researching Edwards, believes that the breadth of Edwards' crimes is far more wide-spanning than what meets the eye. In fact, he contends Edwards could potentially be behind some of the most infamous unsolved cases in American history.

Armed with Cameron's decades of insight and research and driven by an intriguing mix of curiosity and personal resolution, Wolfe embarks on a quest to comprehend his grandfather's dark past and its impact. The show beautifully captures the mind-blowing journey Wolfe takes along with Cameron as they dig deeper into Edward's past, unearthing facts, uncovering truths and debunking myths surrounding his infamous grandfather.

The series presents a perspective that blends hard facts with personal angst. As a viewer, one is not just following a historical investigation but also a personal journey of a man trying to make sense of his own genealogy. Wolfe's tumultuous voyage to make peace with the reality of his bloodline and how it impacts his self-identity adds a unique emotional depth to the series.

Through a spellbinding blend of exclusive interviews, eyewitness accounts, audio records, archival footage, and Cameron's exclusive evidentiary materials, viewers get an intimate look at Edward's life and crimes. The series marries facts with storytelling and presents viewers with a thought-provoking exploration of Edward's psychological nuances, manipulative prowess, and his eerie ability to blend into the community as a family man.

This riveting journey sees Cameron and Wolfe explore various locations across America that hold significance in Edwards' criminal history. Each place visited unveils a newer facet of Edwards' crimes and the ramifications they had on the victims and their families. Wolfe's hunger for the truth matched with Cameron's sheer tenacity makes the duo's quest compelling and engaging.

Also noteworthy is the fact that this series offers a fresh perspective to the genre itself. The trope of an investigator tracing a famed serial killer is common, but the personal connection between the investigator and the criminal in this series brings a fresh perspective. As Welcome grapples with his extraordinary family history, viewers are unveiled to the deeply unsettling reality of Edwards' life and crimes.

The series places a lens on the character and psyche of one of America's most daunting serial killers. Through a calculated and meticulously designed investigation, the series offers a potent revelation of an underworld that thrives beneath the ordinariness of society.

The directors, Nicole Bonaccorso and Marco Villalobos, do a stellar job of painting a comprehensive picture of Edward's gruesome criminal legacy. They artfully balance the narration of ghastly details with empathy, without glorifying the criminal or his heinous acts.

On the whole, It Was Him: The Many Murders of Ed Edwards is a potent exploration of one man's dark and devious past that held America hostage to fear. It is an engaging and gripping tale of a grandchild's quest to uncover truths about his chilling bloodline. It's a must-watch for those who are intrigued by true crime tales and appreciate well-investigated documentaries that combine emotion with fact in a compelling narrative.

Be warned - once you start watching, it's almost impossible to turn it off. This series is bold in its approach, fearless in its disclosure, and leaves viewers begging for more.