The show examined the 1989 attack on a woman jogging in Central Park. Five young Black and Latino men were wrongly arrested and accused of the assault and severe beating of Trisha Meili.
They were with friends in another section of the park. Only after the full sentences of those wrongly accused were served did the actual criminal come forward. The four-part series When They See Us details the tragic events of that day, exploring how the Central Park Five made false confessions and the long-lasting impact of the unjust convictions on their lives.
When They See Us Was Responsible Storytelling
True crime dramas often rely on shock value, but Ava DuVernay skillfully avoided this in her depiction of a sensitive case. When They See Us moves quickly, yet focuses on the experiences of the victims, a refreshing change from shows that sensationalize the crimes themselves. The series begins in Harlem, following Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, and Raymond Santana as they join a group of young Black people heading to Central Park.
In Central Park, Detective Elizabeth Lederer discovered a severely assaulted woman, Trisha Meili, and quickly focused on a group of young Black men who were present in the park. The miniseries When They See Us portrays the disturbing events that followed, as these boys—who didn’t even know each other—were pressured by police to confess to a crime they didn’t commit. Separated from their families and subjected to intense pressure, the five teenagers, ranging in age from 13 to 16, were coerced into signing false confessions.
The series depicts how the police manipulated the investigation and details of the attack to falsely accuse the five boys. Over four episodes, When They See Us shows their wrongful conviction and the harsh realities of prison life. Importantly, the series doesn’t just focus on the initial sensationalism, but also explores the significant challenges they faced readjusting to life after their release.
The enduring power of When They See Us lies in its approach to a difficult story. While it shares characteristics with crime dramas, it avoids sensationalizing a tragic event for entertainment. The series focuses on telling the devastating story of six lives destroyed by one individual and the systemic failures of the justice system meant to protect them.
The show focuses on the experiences of the victims, thoughtfully and respectfully portraying the lasting effects of what happened. Rather than sensationalizing the case, which gained widespread attention, the program prioritizes an ethical approach. Each of the Central Park Five was impacted differently, reflecting their individual life stories.
The wrongful conviction of five young men stemmed from unfair practices, including limited resources, racial bias, and deep-seated problems within the system. Ava DuVernay skillfully highlighted these issues, elevating the show beyond typical true crime and setting a new benchmark for the genre.
When They See Us Had Excellent Performances
One of the most impactful aspects of When They See Us was its portrayal of Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, and Raymond Santana as individuals with complex personalities. Before the series, they were largely known as a single entity – the Central Park Five – and the show thoughtfully presented their unique stories.
The five actors – Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, Jharrel Jerome, and Marquis Rodriguez – all delivered incredibly powerful performances that deeply resonated with viewers. They convincingly portrayed the characters’ struggles and failures, allowing the audience to truly feel their anger, fear, and pain. The actors effectively exposed the injustice at the heart of the case and the flaws within the country’s legal system.
How they acted before, during, and after the difficult experience was just as crucial as the experience itself, and it was essential to portray each of the young men as an individual. While their story has been told before, notably in the documentary The Central Park Five, many didn’t expect a dramatic true crime series to handle it with sensitivity and skill, rather than just focusing on sensationalism.
In 2019, When They See Us raised the standard for true crime shows, and very few have matched its quality since. It was both impactful and handled the subject matter with care—a rare approach in today’s media landscape. Often, the true crime genre focuses on victims simply as a means of entertainment. More concerningly, many shows tend to glorify or even sympathize with criminals, often by focusing on their difficult backgrounds or the events leading up to their crimes.
This trend in true crime shows needs to be reconsidered, and reserved for situations where it’s truly essential. Too often, these shows seem to sympathize with the perpetrators instead of focusing on the victims. It’s crucial to remember that real people’s lives were permanently damaged, and their experiences should be the central focus, not the motivations or trauma of those who harmed them. Shows like When They See Us effectively center the victims’ stories and offer a strong example for others in the genre to follow.
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2026-02-23 03:37