As a seasoned viewer of many crime dramas and biographies, I must say that “Odin” episode from Aaron Hernandez has certainly left an indelible mark on me. The way Steven Canals weaved the narrative, focusing not only on the protagonist’s perspective but also on the victims and their loved ones, was truly commendable. It’s a stark reminder that every action has a consequence, and often, it’s the innocent who bear the brunt of it.
Essentially, we’ve reached the crucial turning point in the narrative – the event that led to Aaron Hernandez’s arrest and life imprisonment, which is the murder case. At this juncture, we find ourselves delving into the decline phase of his story.
I’ve had my concerns about how these events would eventually be portrayed. There are many ways to butcher a true-crime story in the adaptation process, and this show’s writing hasn’t exactly been subtle. (I still have questions about the apparent slandering of Hernandez’s late uncle.) Now that I’ve seen the events play out onscreen, though, I’m a little relieved. Setting aside the general question of how necessary this show is to begin with, nothing here comes across as particularly tasteless. “Odin” is pretty successful at what it does: presenting the intense, tragic culmination of Aaron’s escalating paranoias.
Aaron Hernandez has not put forth significant effort to explore the backstories or personalities of his victims, particularly Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, whom he fatally shot at a stoplight in Boston. However, this show primarily focuses on Aaron himself, though there’s a slight shift in focus here, even if it doesn’t delve deeply into Odin’s life beyond his brief association with the main character. In their shared scenes, Odin serves as our perspective, guiding us through the narrative.
Initially, when Odin encounters Aaron, he’s both apprehensive and awestruck, much like a semi-professional football player from Boston might feel. Since Shaneah, his girlfriend, is the sister of Aaron’s fiancée Shayanna, this gathering could seem like a regular family event for Aaron; however, it feels quite extraordinary to Odin, given that he’s in Aaron’s luxurious abode. That evening, they quickly bond over playing Madden and it seems very dreamlike to Odin. Even more unbelievable: Aaron attends one of Odin’s Bandits games, cheers him on, and later enters the locker room to take photos and celebrate with him. At this point, Odin is yet to notice any warning signs.
The dynamic shifts when they head to Rumor Nightclub following the game. Initially, Aaron appeared rather laid-back during dinner on their first night, thanks to wine and marijuana. However, at the club and later on, he reverts to the anxious and unstable individual we’ve been observing quite frequently. He continues his habit of drinking and smoking weed, but also dabbles in prescription drugs and PCP, still experiencing hallucinations related to Sherrod. Upon returning to his second residence, he exhibits his well-stocked gun collection and speaks incoherently, neither of which reassures Odin.
Despite Odin’s recent beneficial impact, Aaron continues to spiral out of control. The knowledge that Sherrod is pursuing a civil lawsuit, though upsetting, might provide an escape from this persistent state of suspicion – yet choosing to resolve the matter doesn’t lessen his tendency to prioritize his secret hideout over time with his family. The revelation about Tanya’s cancer further intensifies his negative emotions.
In this episode, I found the most genuine joy Aaron exhibits stems from his connection with Odin. It’s not just about making a new friend; it appears Aaron views Odin as an earlier or perhaps alternative version of himself. If Aaron hadn’t been naturally gifted, would he be content with a simple life of construction work and annual dues to play football semi-professionally? He admires Odin’s genuine passion for the game and his simple, happy existence. To Odin, Aaron’s life might seem aspirational, but for Aaron, it’s quite the opposite. Perhaps that’s what he was trying to express late in the night before losing consciousness, unable to finish his thought.
Despite the show’s tendency to be heavy-handed, the connections between the killer and victim are subtly portrayed here. When Aaron eventually kills Odin, it doesn’t come across as a self-loathing man eliminating another aspect of himself or an overly dramatic scene like that. Instead, it’s simply that Odin symbolizes something significant to Aaron. It’s plausible in this narrative context that the real-life Hernandez didn’t deliberately see Odin Lloyd as a representation of a life he desired, but it feels authentic within the storyline.
There are some valuable insights Aaron could take from this new friendship if he were sober or more reflective. But the next day, he shoves it all out of his mind as usual, jolted back into reactive mode when Shayanna confronts him about the secret apartment. It’s Odin’s act of unintentional snitching that seals his fate; after Shayanna says she knows “everything,” Aaron becomes convinced that he may have revealed more than just the existence of another apartment. Scanning his memories, he can’t recall how much detail he used in telling Odin about Sherrod and the shooting in Boston. Is it possible Odin could even know about Chris?
The sequence of Aaron, Carlos Ortiz, and Ernest Wallace effectively kidnapping Odin and driving him to his death is as stomach-churning and dread-inducing as it must have been in real life, whether or not Lloyd knew exactly what was going to happen when he texted his girlfriend. At the industrial park, director Steven Canals moves to close-up shots, locking us in Aaron and Odin’s headspaces for their final conversation. As much as Odin insists that he didn’t tell Shaneah anything else — that there wasn’t even anything to tell — Aaron doesn’t believe him. He’s too convinced of his own rightness, too certain that his greatest fears are coming true. Being thrust into fame young can be difficult to begin with, and with secrets like these ones piling up, the exposure would be even more terrifying. The question “Why did Aaron Hernandez murder Odin Lloyd?” might not have one easy answer, but watching this, it’s not hard to believe it happened.
Aaron’s arrest is imminent because he didn’t manage to hide his wrongdoings cleverly. What makes “Odin” stand out as one of the best episodes in Aaron Hernandez, though, isn’t just the dramatic climax. It’s also the focus on characters who are directly impacted by Aaron’s actions, offering a fresh perspective beyond Aaron himself. The character Odin is portrayed as amiable and considerate, but the script avoids exaggerating his virtues or manipulating our emotions towards him, only to have him disappear suddenly. Moreover, based on various accounts I’ve read, it appears that the real-life Odin Lloyd was indeed a well-liked, gentle individual.
Towards the end, Shayanna emerges as one of the show’s most complex characters, dealing with a multitude of conflicting feelings. Shortly after revealing to Aaron the heartbreaking news that Odin had been killed, she consents to get rid of the murder weapon for him without any questions. It’s somewhat unsettling to observe her deceive her sister about her whereabouts upon returning home.
As a detective queries Aaron with questions, he vaguely mentions needing to consult his lawyer, an action that prompts curious glances. Inside, he fails to respond to Shayanna’s inquiry, instead ascending the stairs silently and feigning ignorance of the situation. However, Shayanna casting a glance at her slumbering sister echoes this denial, hinting at shared qualities between them. I wouldn’t have thought the series would establish similarities between these two characters, but the conclusion leaves me pondering Shayanna’s psychological condition in the final two episodes. When Aaron Hernandez manages to avoid self-limiting, it presents a unique viewing experience.
The End Zone
In this episode, not only does J. Alex Brinson excel, but so does Josh Andrés Rivera. While the murder scene stands out, it’s Rivera’s portrayal of Aaron being extremely high earlier in the episode that truly caught my attention. His acting skillfully conveys Aaron’s thoughts and emotions even when his speech becomes incoherent.
As a devoted cinephile, I’m fortunate to be married to the incredibly talented Lindsay Mendez, who brings Tanya to life. We crossed paths while we were both starring in All Rise, and it’s been a beautiful journey ever since.
• Lloyd’s real texts to Shaneah Jenkins aren’t exactly the same as presented here, but almost.
In a conversation with Shayanna, Aaron admits he’s “overlooked some information,” referring to the recent developments about Tanya that he failed to share earlier. (It seems like he doesn’t prioritize regularly updating Shayanna on matters.)
Indeed, if this act of unwavering devotion doesn’t cement Shayanna as the truest ally Aaron has ever encountered, then I’m at a loss for what could. As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at such loyalty portrayed on the silver screen!
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2024-10-30 06:54