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Original poster

Anyone watching Dirty John and want a discussion thread?

86 replies

Aberforthsgoat · 14/02/2019 18:03

Just started watching on Netflix - two episodes in and quite like it so far.
I’ve alresdy listened to the podcast so interested to see if they stick with the actual story

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scaredofthecity · 14/02/2019 18:07

Ooo I forgot this was on. The podcast was one of my favourites, such a good story.

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 14/02/2019 18:31

@scaredofthecity I know it had so many twists and turns! You genuinely couldn’t make it up!

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scaredofthecity · 14/02/2019 21:39

I couldn't find it Sad
Are you in the uk?

TwitterLovesMAPs · 14/02/2019 21:45

It's such a terrible, yet really important cautionary tale.

If you're interested in the background, then I really recommend listening to the interviews with Debra Newell and Dirty John's first wife, Tonya (I can't remember her last name) on the Real Crime Profile podcast.

One of the presenters, Laura Richards, was one of the co-writers of the anti-stalking legislation in the UK. She's done amazing work in training police forces all over the UK to recognise and identify coercive control in domestic abuse situations. She's an absolute legend and girl crush of mine and it's worth listening to Real Crime Profile just for her insights alone. I've learned so much.

But yeah, they did some fascinating interviews with Debra. Worth a listen.

ElasticFirecracker · 14/02/2019 21:55

I loved the LA Times Wondery podcast, especially the music. I put this on this afternoon and all of a sudden I was half way through episode six.

I wasn't sure about it at first, but I'm now itching to watch the rest.

I didn't know about the other podcast, so will be listening to that later.

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 14/02/2019 21:57

@scaredofthecity yes it went on Netflix today it was in the “new” spot at the top when you first go into your profile on Netflix

Thanks twitter I will check it out, I listened to the Wondery podcast but didn’t realise there were other interviews

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SavageBeauty73 · 15/02/2019 00:15

I'm on episode 3. Started tonight. Red flag galore!

BartonHollow · 15/02/2019 00:22

I've just posted on another thread

2 episodes in and I'm absolutely fuming with her.

She's in therapy with both dysfunctional daughters because she's such a selfish parent.

Their internal creep radar has gone off for both of them and she is blaming them and calling them selfish and spoiled.

Within 5 weeks she married him and handed over her life savings.

He has "joked" about shooting one daughter in the face and she gave an awkward laugh and excused him.

As said on the other thread, not victim blaming but she has made it fucking easy for him.

BartonHollow · 15/02/2019 00:24

Are you in the UK?

Netflix has the UK rights to Dirty John but it was on Bravo in the US

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 15/02/2019 08:09

Ooh where’s the other thread?

Totally agree @bartonhollow

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Lordamighty · 15/02/2019 08:28

Watched the first episode last night & I found it riveting. When she married him in Vegas I wanted to shake her. I probably won’t read the real story until after the tv series has finished.

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 15/02/2019 08:59

@lordamighty it’s sticking to the real story quite closely as far as I can see

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MissionItsPossible · 15/02/2019 14:07

I haven't watched it but it sounds like she's acting as stupid as she did in the podcast. I couldn't BELIEVE some of the decisions she made. Her actions in the back story about her sister (I won't go into it in case it hasn't aired on the show yet) made my jaw drop. Her reaction to her daughter's phone call in the last podcast episode was unbelievable.

BartonHollow · 15/02/2019 15:50

I tell you who I'm beginning to be really impressed by :

Julia Garner who plays Terra

She's Ruth in Ozark and she's so good in that

Everything I see her in she plays the part at hand really differently, great actress

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 15/02/2019 16:34

Agreed @bartonhollow I also think Debra and Veronica are perfectly cast

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Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 15/02/2019 16:36

@missionitspossible I know! If it wasn’t actually them being interviewed for the podcast I wouldn’t have believed it

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BartonHollow · 15/02/2019 16:46

I've actually got chance to put this back on now after a proper binge last night

I know she's in an abusive relationship but god her passivity and lack of insight are making me want to strangle her

The way she reacts with bafflement and nonchalance to her children's wholly legitimate concerns and his behaviour toward them particularly.

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 15/02/2019 17:16

@bartonhollow I know he was very charming etc but it seemed like (and correct me if I’m wrong) he had access to her accounts and everything within months if not weeks?
He must have really been something to be so persuasive and sound so reasonable that that seemed like a good idea

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BartonHollow · 15/02/2019 17:21

Weeks.

I mean you don't even consider yourself properly in a relationship after 5 weeks Confused

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 15/02/2019 17:32

I just can’t get my head around it!

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SavageBeauty73 · 15/02/2019 18:58

I've just finished. So many red flags and stupid actions. It's shows a neediness in her that she was so desperate for man despite her great career and wealth. He was husband number 5 after all.

BartonHollow · 15/02/2019 19:18

I'm still in my 30s but I know a lot of people who gain affirmation or a sense of security from being in a relationship regardless of the quality of the relationship. That part is easy.

Less easy, that she was willing to give up her relationships with her children and grandchildren

And that she went back "because he had nobody"

Yes there's a reason for that Hmm

That scene in the wardrobe was intense as fuck though

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 15/02/2019 19:32

I found the relationships with the daughters interesting as well

And the reaction of her mother to what her brother in law did to her sister...

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BartonHollow · 15/02/2019 19:40

Yes!

And I think that is what helped her normalise John because of how her mother excused Bill

SavageBeauty73 · 15/02/2019 21:40

She went back to him as she was codependent. His manipulation and selfishness reminded me of my ex husband!