By Tate Harrop’17

The trial of O.J. Simpson for the gruesome murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman gripped the American public for 16 months. Now a 10-episode series, “The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” is airing on FX network on Tuesday nights and is recounting the events to an audience who may not have even been alive in the ‘90s.

The series began on February 2 and will run until March 29. Screenwriters Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander recreate the legal process of the trial and dramatize the events around it. A wealth of actors, including long-time film stars, play the real-life people who were involved in every aspect of the case, including the prosecution team, O.J. Simpson’s defense team, and even Nicole Simpson’s friends.

The first episode of “The People v O.J. Simpson” opens with the 1991 police beating of Rodney King, an event that caused days of rioting in downtown Los Angeles. The scene provides the context for the simmering racial conflicts in Los Angeles at the time of the 1994 murders. The episode then jumps to the hours and days after the murder as suspicion settles around O.J. Simpson, played by Cuba Gooding Jr. The actor deeply explores the emotions that Simpson felt as he was being accused of killing ex-wife Simpson and Goldman.

So far, the directors make it clear how the case led to a media frenzy that impacted the proceeding in the courtroom. Lawyers on both sides felt the intense pressure not only to win the case but also to win in the public eye. Sarah Pulson plays the role of top prosecutor Marcia Clark and does a wonderful job in representing the raw emotion that the real Clark felt towards the case. Simpson’s lead defense attorney, Johnnie Cochran, is played by Courtney B. Vance. The actor brilliantly portrays Cochran’s smooth talk as he persuades the media that Simpson is discriminated against in the courtroom.

Although the true story is portrayed in a realistic way, some of the choices seem designed to appeal to today’s audience more than reflecting what actually happened. Simpson’s friend, Robert Kardashian–who is also a part of his legal team–is well-played by David Schwimmer; however, in certain episodes Kardashian’s children are shown watching the case and making comments about seeing their father on TV. This seems to be a ploy to get people to watch the show because of the name “Kardashian.”

Nevertheless, “The People v O.J. Simpson” succeeds in making the audience want more from the show each week. The expressed emotions and the little details in each episode make for exciting viewing. Newcomers to the show can watch it through streaming services or online.

Grade: A-