Join the 90’s with the People v. O.J. Simpson

Mar 27, 2017 | Opinion, Reviews

As somebody who wasn’t alive in the 90’s, I had no idea what the situation was with the “trial of the century, “The People v. O.J. Simpson,” but after this dramatic retelling, I can understand the spectacle surrounding it.

The show does not focus on O.J. Simpson as a person. Instead, it tells the story of one of the most interesting trials to happen in recent history. The show details every aspect of the trial, giving the defense and prosecution equal time on screen, and showing the political history that was extremely relevant to the result of this trial. The show expresses the nuanced point of view of each side, ultimately making you question: Did O.J. do it? Should he have been put behind bars? What do race relations

look like today? Should racism be allowed in the courtroom? Whose side do I take?

The show does a really good job making you flip between the sides, showing you both the perspectives of the defense, prosecution, jury, and the general public (both black and white). The one flaw I found with this retelling is how the writers make O.J. seem less charismatic and smart than he was in real life. I’ve never heard someone on either side of this debate think that O.J. was uncharismatic, which is what I saw in this depiction of him. I would definitely recommend watching this show if you’re interested in seeing all aspects of an American phenomenon and can get lost in an engrossing drama meant for the big screen.

The show expresses the nuanced point of view of each side, ultimately making you question: Did O.J. do it?