Fictional crime just isn't doing it for viewers these days — true crime is where it's at now. Last Fall, listeners (including myself) were completely captivated by the podcast Serial and the murder of high school student Hae Min Lee. This Spring, a whole other murder suspect is taking TV by storm: Robert Durst, the subject of the HBO documentary series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. That's right, deaths. Durst has been long suspected to have roles in the disappearance of his first wife, as well as the murders of close friend Susan Berman and a male neighbor. The six and final episode of The Jinx is set to air Sunday night, but with news of Durst's arrest, could this new chapter be covered in a second season of the series?
There hasn't been word of a second season for the popular docu-series, but the story continues past its original six episodes — the wealthy 72 year old was just arrested on first-degree murder charges for the murder of Berman that took place 15 years ago in Los Angeles. And it was actually The Jinx's investigation into Durst's troubled past and discovery of new evidence that led to the L.A. District Attorney's office reopening the case of Berman's death. But the reason why this series worked so well is because Durst cooperated with producers Marc Smerling and Andrew Jarecki, as well as giving them access to his life.
As the documentary series aired, the New York Times points out that Durst became bitter toward the producers. Now, Durst's arrest can't be good for that strained relationship — or the likelihood of a Season 2, but here's how they might be able to do it.
Cover The Trial
Durst has been arrested for Berman's murder — could a trial be next? With proper legal permission, The Jinx could possibly follow the Durst's trial. I mean, it would only be a natural next chapter in this story. Whether or not the producers can get the access is a whole other ballgame.
Cover The Reopening of More Cases
Berman's death isn't the only case that Durst has been suspected of being involved in. Season 2 could delve deeper into the disappearance of his first wife Kathleen McCormack. While Durst was already acquitted on charges of murdering and dismembering his neighbor Morris Black in Galveston, Texas, there's always a way to re-look into it, right?
Search for the Truth in Durst's Statements
Durst has made a lot of puzzling statements in The Jinx — and has gotten caught in a few lies, as well. Perhaps Season 2 can go meta and take a look back on itself, analyzing the words Durst told them. For example, in one episode Durst says he'd tell McCormack's mother, "That I feel bad about the way I treated you. That you're a good person. I am complicit in Kathie's not being here." But then denied it soon after and lied about the last night he saw McCormack.
Something's very fishy here, and The Jinx is on the right track to finding out more. But will the series get the opportunity? We shall see.
Images: HBO; The JinxHBO/Facebook (3)
