hmurdock-54742
Lifetime Total
1+
IMDb Member
6 years
Reviews
Waco: The Strangers Across the Street (2018)
Episode 2, Season 1
Intriguing series continues
This episode is very good, as it continues the story as portrayed in the first episode. The actor that portrays BATF agent Rodriguez bears a strong resemblance to the real person. The other actor portraying BATF agent Agguiler
I believe does a very good job to.
This episode certainly could leave viewers ready to see the next one, of the BATF raid.
The flaws of this episode are errors of omission, such as:
Much of the story of the BATF investigation is omitted. The BATF is present at gun shows, and would have known that the firearms parts, accessories, and other merchandise sold by the Branch Davidian at gun shows was completely legal. It would have been interesting to have a scene at a gun show, showing a Branch Davidian table.
It omits the fact the way the BATF obtained its search warrant. The affidavit for the warrant describes, for example separate upper and lower receivers for AK rifles, which don't exist. The affidavit also cites claims by former Davidian Marc Bareult as a witness to what he had seen, although he was legally blind.
It omits the fact that the BATF relied on information provided by "cult buster" groups such as the Cult Awareness Network for information. The "deprograming movement" of a few decades ago has been discredited.
It omits that entire story of the Waco Press Tribunes article, "The Failed Messiah," and the investigation of that.
Despite the omissions, this episode is very good. To cover the points I have brought up it would take at least one, if not two episodes, and this who produced this min-series probably had to deal with things such as "time-inits," and a "budget."
This episode certainly could leave viewers ready to see the next one, of the BATF raid.
The flaws of this episode are errors of omission, such as:
Much of the story of the BATF investigation is omitted. The BATF is present at gun shows, and would have known that the firearms parts, accessories, and other merchandise sold by the Branch Davidian at gun shows was completely legal. It would have been interesting to have a scene at a gun show, showing a Branch Davidian table.
It omits the fact the way the BATF obtained its search warrant. The affidavit for the warrant describes, for example separate upper and lower receivers for AK rifles, which don't exist. The affidavit also cites claims by former Davidian Marc Bareult as a witness to what he had seen, although he was legally blind.
It omits the fact that the BATF relied on information provided by "cult buster" groups such as the Cult Awareness Network for information. The "deprograming movement" of a few decades ago has been discredited.
It omits that entire story of the Waco Press Tribunes article, "The Failed Messiah," and the investigation of that.
Despite the omissions, this episode is very good. To cover the points I have brought up it would take at least one, if not two episodes, and this who produced this min-series probably had to deal with things such as "time-inits," and a "budget."
Waco (2018)
Intriguing Mini-Series
This mini-series is quite intriguing.
At the very beginning, the scene of the BATF raid bears a very close resemblance to video and photos of the historical incident.
Taylor Kitsch does a very good job in portrayal of Koresh, based on videos of Koresh. Much of the first episode is very well filmed. The two books it is based on, by different men with different perspectives could well be worth reading. The book The Davidian Massacre, by Carol Moore is a good source of information.
As a nitpicker, I could pick on a few issues. While the BATF originally entrapped Randy Weaver in order to blackmail him to become an informant, it was the US Marshals that killed his son, lied to cover it up. The actor that portrays Randy Weaver does not resemble Randy Weaver. Weaver's talks with Col. Bo Gritz, and Officer Jack Mc Lamb went on for quite a while, and eventually did lead to his surrender, and his vindication in court.
This mini-series would also be improved if it provided more background of the Branch Davidian, possibly in flash-backs.
Telling this story in the form of a mini-series is interesting. Viewers can watch one episode, then research the story on their own, and discuss it with others, and then watch the next episode.
I would urge viewers to do that, rather than paying attention to the politically correct trolls. Good people of all political persuasions and religious beliefs agree that law enforcement officers should be required to follow the law, and never be given a free pass if they murder citizens.
At the very beginning, the scene of the BATF raid bears a very close resemblance to video and photos of the historical incident.
Taylor Kitsch does a very good job in portrayal of Koresh, based on videos of Koresh. Much of the first episode is very well filmed. The two books it is based on, by different men with different perspectives could well be worth reading. The book The Davidian Massacre, by Carol Moore is a good source of information.
As a nitpicker, I could pick on a few issues. While the BATF originally entrapped Randy Weaver in order to blackmail him to become an informant, it was the US Marshals that killed his son, lied to cover it up. The actor that portrays Randy Weaver does not resemble Randy Weaver. Weaver's talks with Col. Bo Gritz, and Officer Jack Mc Lamb went on for quite a while, and eventually did lead to his surrender, and his vindication in court.
This mini-series would also be improved if it provided more background of the Branch Davidian, possibly in flash-backs.
Telling this story in the form of a mini-series is interesting. Viewers can watch one episode, then research the story on their own, and discuss it with others, and then watch the next episode.
I would urge viewers to do that, rather than paying attention to the politically correct trolls. Good people of all political persuasions and religious beliefs agree that law enforcement officers should be required to follow the law, and never be given a free pass if they murder citizens.