The premiere episode of "Unbelievable" eerily echoes a captivating Netflix crime drama miniseries, "Quicksand," in its mesmerizing unraveling of the crime's tapestry. This parallel extends beyond mere observation, as the series initiates with a shocking crescendo, gradually peeling back layers of mystery through strategic cutaways, mirroring the intricate start of its counterpart.
Embarking on a journey that, while slow-paced initially, steadily gathers momentum, we accompany Marie on her harrowing odyssey—from the shattering moment she reports her rape to the devastating conclusion where she's unjustly branded a liar.
Episode one opens with the harrowing scene of Marie, a young woman, violated in her most vulnerable state. Her ordeal is compounded as she's compelled to recount her traumatic experience to not just the first responding officer but also to the subsequent investigative team. At the hospital, hopes for empathy fade as a seemingly indifferent nurse mechanically conducts her duties, barely acknowledging Marie's distress. With a signature scrawl on some paperwork, Marie is dismissed back into the harsh reality of her life.
Detective Parker's arrival marks yet another round of reliving the nightmare, as he meticulously grills Marie on every minute detail of that fateful night. The narrative cleverly interweaves flashbacks, painting a vivid picture of Marie's futile struggle against her bonds, her fragile composure in the face of unspeakable horror. Despite her exhaustive recount, Parker demands a written statement, adding yet another layer of dehumanization to her ordeal.
Back home, Marie's mind refuses to rest, haunted by visions and an inability to find solace in sleep. Colleen, struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation, finds Marie's dismissive attitude unsettling, sparking concern.
Meanwhile, Judith's conversation with Detective Parker casts a shadow of doubt over Marie's claims, painting a picture of a troubled past with multiple foster homes. Parker, capitalizing on these vulnerabilities, begins to chip away at Marie's credibility, even questioning the veracity of her friend's assumption that Marie used her toes to dial for help while restrained. The absence of forced entry and the discovery of personal items within her apartment only fuel the fire, fueling suspicions that the entire incident might be a mere fabrication.
Summoning her in for interrogation, Parker and his fellow detective, Pruitt, confront Marie with their belief that she has concocted the entire tale. As tears stream down her face, her voice becomes muffled, on the verge of revealing that there was no rapist. However, her written statement later asserts it was all a dream, sparking a loss of patience from the two detectives who accuse her of squandering their time. Frustration boils over as she slams her fists against the table, suggesting perhaps she had blacked out during the incident.
Amidst the myriad inconsistencies, the police tersely inform her that they are certain of one thing: she has lied to them three times now. Ultimately, she capitulates, admitting there was no rapist, which prompts Becca, back at home, to urge her to return to the station and retract her latest statement. Heeding Becca's advice, Marie reluctantly treks back, only to encounter Pruitt's exasperation culminating in an ultimatum – take a polygraph test to establish her truthfulness, or face imprisonment for failure.
Weighing the risks, she decides against it, opting instead to cling to the narrative of fabrication, much to the dismay of her loved ones back home. Despondent and seeking escape, Marie ventures out under the cover of night, finding herself standing on a bridge, gazing out into the abyss.
From the outset, 'Unbelievable' masterfully captures the indifferent manner in which the police handle this case, evoking a sense of righteous indignation. It's alarming, given Marie's palpable state of shock throughout, that no one seems to notice her distress. Yet, the episode adeptly maintains a gripping narrative, weaving a solitary tale that engages and intrigues, leaving the door wide open for a compelling journey ahead. In this regard, 'Unbelievable' embarks on a promising start.
