American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez Recap: The Patriot Way

As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for unraveling tales of sports and human drama, I must say that “Aaron Hernandez” is proving to be quite the riveting series. The show masterfully weaves together themes of ambition, camaraderie, and self-destruction, all set against the backdrop of the high-pressure world of professional football.


In professional football, it’s not about being yourself; instead, it’s about upholding a tradition of honor and skill that spans nearly a century. For those playing in the NFL, their role is not just personal expression but safeguarding the organization’s reputation – a responsibility they call ‘protecting the shield.’

During Aaron’s initial phase with the Patriots, it was relatively tranquil, but Coach Bill Belichick took some time to decide how best to utilize him. He wasn’t pleased by Aaron’s flamboyant stunt of gathering practice pads while being nude, and he didn’t see the necessity for Urban Meyer’s guidance on maturity matters. “This is a team of men,” Belichick told Aaron. “Act like one.” The concept of manhood and its interpretation have been key topics in this series since the initial flashback to Aaron’s childhood, and Belichick’s words resonated with his father’s recurring phrase.

This episode of “Aaron Hernandez” titled “The Man” isn’t particularly exceptional or problematic; it doesn’t delve as deeply into shocking revelations like the molestation storyline from the previous episode. However, it lacks the intense focus and singularly strange aspects found in that episode’s exploration of the NFL Draft and Scouting Combine. This episode serves as a broad overview of Aaron’s life during this period, with its typical dramatic foreshadowing and direct dialogue emphasizing the need for Aaron to conform.

Aaron consistently shines on the field, a place where he truly feels authentic. His success adds to his joy; as the youngest player in the league, he’s earned the right to celebrate with an exuberant “make it rain” touchdown dance. However, his self-assurance wanes when Belichick makes him play running back, a role he doubts his abilities for. This mirrors the ongoing theme that Aaron hasn’t had the chance to mature and express himself freely. When Belichick later reprimands him for bragging to the media, Aaron defends himself by saying, “I was just being myself, coach.” Belichick’s response is blunt: “Don’t.” This message is unequivocal.

Despite not being able to fit a square peg into a round hole easily, Aaron excels remarkably due to his exceptional talent. A triumphant moment for him is marred by a strong tackle that leaves him confused and disoriented, with lucidity eluding him even hours afterwards. Aaron Hernandez, who hasn’t invested much time in the CTE that likely contributed significantly to his decline, perhaps because it’s challenging to create drama from an overlooked medical problem. However, this sequence is skillfully directed by Maggie Kiley, making us feel Aaron’s perspective deeply. Even simple congratulatory helmet slaps from his teammates seem intense.

In his personal life, “The Man” shifts the series’ focus towards Aaron’s domestic sphere. Although Aaron is well-known in Boston and beyond, he’s a veritable megastar in Bristol. Inviting Shayanna to a gathering with the Krafts might seem self-centered – he wants to show he’s matured and ready to take responsibility – but there’s genuine warmth between them. They share a meal at an overpass, discussing rich folks’ fondness for miniature foods, and their bond is evident. They yearn for the same things, such as escaping Bristol, leaving behind family baggage, and creating their own path. The pair seem compatible. However, the main challenge lies in Aaron’s lack of interest in women.

Despite some doubts arising when Shayanna socializes with other NFL partners, their relationship continues to flourish. However, it’s only when she interacts with other women that she starts questioning her beliefs about Aaron’s romantic inclinations. While Aaron maintains truthfulness by asserting there are no other women in his life, a more comprehensive truth might reveal that spending time with Chris made him feel the most authentic in a while. Curiously, when Chris (who is also committed to someone else) queries Aaron about his feelings for Shayanna, he remains silent.

Despite aiming to portray a persona associated with positive influences, Aaron’s close-knit circle primarily consists of his cousin Tanya, some questionable friends from his hometown like Carlos and Bo, and their acquaintance, the dubious Sherrod, their weed dealer. The latest addition to this group, Sherrod, is clearly a potential source of trouble. After an initial misunderstanding, Aaron and Sherrod quickly develop a strong bond, and following a rant about his stepfather Jeff, Sherrod inadvisably offers this unsolicited advice: “Nobody’s in control of your life.

The show’s portrayal of conflicting influences, with the negative ones likely prevailing in the end, seems a bit superficial. Ignoring the overused dramatic elements of prison references and the forced dialogue between Sherrod and Aaron about standing firm, there’s an intriguing parallel drawn between the NFL and imprisonment. For those not fully prepared for this kind of life, the absence of personal autonomy can be particularly restrictive. It’s clear that Aaron wasn’t ready for it.

On one fateful day, Jeff inflicts a knife wound on Terri’s face with a kitchen knife. This incident offers Aaron an opportunity to vent his rage, a chance to assert dominance and bolster his masculinity. Using Sherrod’s gun, Aaron brutally assaults Jeff outside a bar, warning him not to lay a hand on Terri ever again. While it’s challenging to sympathize with the man given his actions towards Terri, the matter at hand is the escalating violence. Each act of violence propels Aaron further along a dangerous path. We can see where this story is heading.

The End Zone

The initial scene-within-a-scene momentarily deceived me, and I admire the skill, but unfortunately, it doesn’t say much in praise of Aaron Hernandez when an ordinary anti-drug presentation seems routine.

Jon Bon Jovi views Belichick as one of his closest friends in the world of sports, and Belichick’s motivational playlist from 2013 contained two songs by Bon Jovi. Given this connection, it’s quite natural that he might crank up “It’s My Life” at a high volume.

• Goofy but funny appearance from Laith Wallschleger as Gronk.

In this account, it appears that the Broncos game being referred to is likely a playoff match towards the end of Hernandez’s second season with the Pats, which would have been January 2012. Despite sustaining a head injury during the game, and having an otherwise impressive debut as the sole running back, Hernandez expressed his readiness by saying, “I’m ready, baby. I feel great,” following its conclusion.

• The real Jeffrey Cummings was convicted for slashing Terri in the face, though the timing here isn’t exactly right. It also wasn’t his first incident.

• The switching turn-signal image is very unsettling.

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2024-10-09 07:54