Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez

Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez is a riveting 2020 Netflix documentary series. This intense three-part crime documentary delves into the murky world of Aaron Hernandez, a gifted football star whose life took a dramatic turn towards crime and violence.

In the first episode, viewers are introduced to the early years of Hernandez's life to establish the foundation of the narrative. From its onset, the series underscores the paradox that is Aaron Hernandez - a charismatic, high-profile sports icon with a simmering dark side. The creators weaved charges of murder and allegations of dangerous behaviors with his celebrated career in the National Football League (NFL) with the New England Patriots.

The documentary captures Hernandez's backstory, upbringing, and formative years in Bristol, Connecticut. It explores themes hinting at an undercurrent of a dysfunctional family and a turbulent home environment, both of which are suggested to have played a crucial part in shaping the troubled man he would later become. Alongside recounting his story, the series also projects a broader narrative that insinuates the role of his family, friends, sports fraternities, and surroundings in Hernandez's contentious journey.

The series makes extensive use of intimate phone calls from prison, as well as interviews with friends, family members, police officials, reporters, and football coaches. These candid conversations and interviews serve as a propelling engine, driving the narrative forward while providing insightful snapshots of Hernandez's persona, character, and life.

Moving beyond the realm of true-crime storytelling, this series also offers commentary on societal norms and expectations, particularly in the American sports sector. It asks vital questions around pressures of masculinity, the prevalent culture of toxic masculinity in football, and how discrimination and shame related to sexual orientation might have impacted Hernandez's psyche.

Recognizing that Hernandez was not only an athlete but also a convicted killer, the documentary does not shy away from exploring the complexities and details of the high-profile murder cases and legal battles linked to him. Viewers are guided meticulously through these heinous acts while maintaining a critical eye on the judicial system's workings. Indirectly, the show also sheds light on American justice and how it responds to and is influenced by fame, wealth, and public image.

A crucial aspect of the series is its keen focus on exploring Hernandez's possible Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, military veterans, and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma. The documentary includes expert analysis and discussions about whether Persistent Concussion could have aggravated his violent tendencies. This element adds another layer to the narrative, drawing attention to the larger consequences of contact sports' physical brutality and its correlation to violent behaviors and mental health deterioration.

One of the strengths of the series is its refusal to draw a straightforward conclusion about the case. Even as the investigation into Hernandez's actions and the legal proceedings unfold, it navigates an obscure gray area - neither fully victimizing nor demonizing Hernandez. It furthers the discourse not only around Hernandez, but around the way society handles young athletes, mental health, homophobia, family dynamics, and crime retribution.

However, due to the complex and sensitive subject matter, viewers are left to grapple with a plethora of unanswered questions and open-ended discussions as the series concludes. This way, the show serves its objective to inspect Hernandez's noir journey and incites a thought-provoking discourse around the challenging issues that his life's examination unearths.

All in all, 'Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez' is an eye-opening dissection of a man's unsettling fall from grace. It's a slow unravelling of a twisted narrative packed with disturbing revelations, intriguing courtroom dramas, and deep-seated societal concerns. This show is a must-watch for anyone who is curious about the intersection of sports, crime, legalism, and society at large.