In March 2015, HBO’s “The Jinx” captivated viewers with the jaw-dropping and bone-chilling confession of real estate scion Robert Durst: “What the hell have I done? Killed them all, of course.” Durst had been a prime suspect in the disappearance of his first wife, Kathie, the murder of his friend Susan Berman, and was acquitted in another murder case. The series exposed how Durst’s wealth insulated him from consequences, sparking a wave of true-crime pop culture projects. Now, a second installment of “The Jinx” follows Durst’s murder trial, premiering on HBO.
Nine years and numerous true-crime TV series and podcasts later, “The Jinx” returns with six more episodes. While it seemed uncertain if there was enough material for another season, the new installment remains riveting to watch. The first episode sets the stage, revisiting the cultural moment of Durst’s apparent confession in 2015. As the season progresses, it delves into Durst’s court proceedings, exploring the issue of complicity among his friends and associates who may have looked the other way or even helped him in his crimes.
The filmmakers faced challenges in getting people to speak up this time around, given the ongoing criminal proceedings. Part 2 of “The Jinx” unfolds against the backdrop of how the docuseries itself has become intertwined with the Durst saga. It draws on a wealth of Durst’s prison phone calls, revealing his disdain for the filmmakers and blaming them for his troubles. The season also explores the meta aspects of the series, considering how it has affected the case and its participants.
Despite the changes in the media landscape, the drama of the new episodes lies in the colorful characters in Durst’s orbit and Durst himself, a strangely beguiling villain. The season challenges viewers to question the reliability of the narrators and remain captivated by Durst’s incessant dialogue. As the episodes unfold, it becomes clear that there was more to Durst’s story than initially met the eye, keeping audiences engaged.
While true-crime has proliferated into exploitative and sensationalized stories, “The Jinx” stands out by focusing on the corrosiveness of wealth and power. It exposes how a wealthy, white man like Durst could evade consequences until his own words caught up with him. Despite the entertainment value of the series, it remains grounded in shedding light on the injustices perpetuated by privilege. The second season of “The Jinx” may not reach the dramatic heights of the original, but it continues to unravel the complex web of Durst’s crimes and those complicit in them.
