American Sports Story
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We are firmly in the downfall portion of this mans story now.
Ive had my concerns about how these events would eventually be portrayed.
(I still have questions about the apparent slandering of Hernandezs late uncle.)
Now that Ive seen the events play out onscreen, though, Im a little relieved.
Odin is pretty successful at what it does: presenting the intense, tragic culmination of Aarons escalating paranoias.
For better or worse, Aaron himself is the subject of this show.
In their scenes together, Odin is the main point of view, the audience surrogate.
Odin doesnt quite see the red flags yet.
That starts to change when the two go out to Rumor Nightclub after the game.
Even with Odins new positive influence on his life, Aaron cant stop unraveling.
Learning about Tanyas cancer only compounds the bad feelings.
Its significant that the most joy we see Aaron experience in this episode is through his bond with Odin.
He admires Odins genuine love for the game and his simple but happy life.
Odin might think of Aarons life as aspirational, but to Aaron, the reverse is true.
Maybe thats what he struggles to articulate late that night, passing out before he can complete a thought.
For how ham-fisted this show can be, the parallels drawn between killer and victim are relatively subtle here.
Its just that Odin represents something meaningful to Aaron.
There are some valuable insights Aaron could take from this new friendship if he were sober or more reflective.
Is it possible Odin could even know about Chris?
Hes too convinced of his own rightness, too certain that his greatest fears are coming true.
The question Why did Aaron Hernandez murder Odin Lloyd?
might not have one easy answer, but watching this, its not hard to believe it happened.
But its not just the big climax that makes Odin one of the strongest episodes ofAaron Hernandez.
Its also the willingness to step outside Aarons perspective and spotlight the people most affected by his actions.
Besides, by most accounts Ive seen, the real-life Odin Lloydwasa gentle, widely liked guy.
Its vaguely sickening to watch her lie to her sister about where shes been after arriving home.
Back inside, he doesnt answer Shayannas question, instead heading upstairs wordlessly and pretending nothing happened.
But Shayanna gazing over at her sleeping sister mirrors that denial.
For all the ways Aaron has hurt his fiancee, maybe theyre alike in some regards.
WhenAaron Hernandezgets out of its own way a little, it can be a very different experience.
The End Zone
Both Josh Andres Rivera and J. Alex Brinson do great work throughout this episode.
you could track the general direction of his thoughts and feelings even when Aaron stops speaking coherently.
Brinson also happens to be married to Lindsay Mendez, who plays Tanya.
They met while starring together onAll Rise.
Lloyds real texts to Shaneah Jenkins arentexactlythe same as presented here, but almost.
(Then again, he doesnt seem to care much about keeping Shayanna updated on anything.)
