Anyone watching Dirty John and want a discussion thread?

[Aberforthsgoat]

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

Well I've finished it! I'm exhausted! Yes to Ep 6 being the best. All the scenes replayed from his side. Very good.

Want to say more, but don't want to drop spoilers for others who haven't finished yet.

I've just finished watching it over 2days...blimey!!
I can't say much more at the moment because I'm exhausted after watching it!!
Don't want to give any spoilers so will come back when people have managed to catch up on all the episodes
In the meantime I will try and catch up on the original podcast.

Just finished the series.
I found myself shouting at the TV in total frustration at her stupidity!
Also her whispery voice drove me mad.
It was a totally addictive watch though.

I've just watched it in one day! That's disgusting isn't it... to be fair to me, I'm feeling a tad poorly so lazing around and that's my excuse.

I won't give away any spoilers but right from first couple of episodes my over riding thought was she was a selfish woman who put her happiness ahead of her kids.

I watched it over 2 nights was great wasn’t it!
I much preferred this over you on Netflix it’s a similar story.

I pretty much binged it too @roussette

I sort of want to watch it again!

Yeah, I sort of want to watch it again. Fascinating relationship dynamics and great acting. Can completely understand the initial attraction to John (Eric Bana), but glad the daughters saw through him and gave some balance to Debra's passivity.

Since I've watched it, I've watched the real Debra Newell and daughter on Netflix being interviewed. And read a bit more about him and the whole thing. It is quite amazing to think that a mature business woman could be taken in so easily.
But I s'pose it's no different to older women going off to Gambia or wherever and being taken in by a waiter who professes undying love but is just after their money!

Have watched a few interviews of Debra Newell and it appears that she does not do anger at all. Anger seems to be missing in this drama too. Might partly explain the lack of self preservation going on.

I agree Inkanta. She is extremely placid!

Just finished it over a few days. John terrified me

Yes... he was very scary when angry. But Debra never appeared afraid of him at all really.

Glad to see a thread on this. I loved it. I’ve listened to the podcast and this gave some more insight into the whole dynamics of personal relationships in this family in the way her mother is portrayed. Just wanted to shake her.

YY to listening to the Real Crime Profile episodes on Dirty John. And like the PP I have a big girl crush on Laura Richards, she’s ace.

In a similar vein for anyone interested I’d recommend the podcast Teacher’s Pet about the disappearance of Lyn Dawson in Australia and the effect it had on crowd sourcing investigations. Also the accompanying Real Crime Profile episodes about it.

I've binged on this today after reading this thread. Two more to go. God it's compelling viewing. I'll be back tomorrow when I've finished!

I've listened go the podcast and think the series is well done (on ep 4). Debra is infuriating!

I sped through it fast and enjoyed it.

I have to say though, that I couldn't agree with Debra Newell's mother at the end when she reassured Debra that she didn't do anything wrong and it wasn't her fault. Her behaviour in the very early stages of relationship was either naïve or foolish or something! She took a running jump into an internet relationship with both feet. Her considerable wealth, the concern of her children and 4 divorces did not seem to give her pause for thought and proceed cautiously. Obviously the relationship then quickly turned sinister and dangerous, and the blame for all of that lies with John Meehan, not her. But her behaviour at the beginning was difficult to watch.
The behaviour of the first wife of John Meehan was, to me, much more understandable.

I really admire Debra Newell though for choosing to publicise her story (and attract criticism from the likes of me on an internet forum) in the hope that it may help other women. Kudos to her - it would have been a much easier option for her to choose not to publicise it.

She was a really poor parent to choose a man she had only just met over her children. She made a very stupid decision to marry him so quickly, especially as she was wealthy and without a pre nup. Why didn't she even check out his story? I've been internet dating a while and although no research is foolproof, it appeared she swallowed his lies without any checks at all.

I have to say though, that I couldn't agree with Debra Newell's mother at the end when she reassured Debra that she didn't do anything wrong and it wasn't her fault
Totally agree. Her Mother kept saying this and I kept shouting at the telly! We don't know but I imagine he never put his hand in his pocket, he talked of cars and houses she never ever saw, he didn't have friends or family, and yet she married him after weeks.

I don't want to give away any spoilers but even when she was shown what he was, she stayed with him and the real Debra is very lucky that her children are still speaking to her, given her actions.

I'm sounding very harsh aren't I...

I’ve started a spoilers thread for this as thought it would be easier Incase new watchers keep joining this one!

It’s here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/telly_addicts/3511900-Dirty-John-Netflix-SPOILERS-thread?watched=1

Thank you! I need that, so afraid I'm going to give it all away even though it's all out there on the internet!

:)

I know, there are bits I really want to talk about but don’t want to spoil it for others! And when it’s on Netflix rather than tv it doesn’t “finish” as such as people can watch it whenever, so makes it trickier with these threads!

I watched the Documentary Dirty John The Dirty Truth as suggested by @ElasticFirecracker
Definitely answers a lot of questions.

Going over to the new Spoilers thread - thanks @Abersforthsgoat

@CaptainJaneway62 Did you find the documentary on YouTube? I went back to look for it again and couldn't find it and it had disappeared from my History. I was trying to find it send a link to a friend, but wondered whether it had been taken down.

Hi @ElasticFireCracker

I have had a look on Youtube and it's been "blocked in this country"
It was an "Oxygen" upload but now all you can see is 2minute exerts from the documentary.

There is a podcast - The Psychology of Dirty John - here's the link...

Here's Chris Goffard of the LA Times discussing the story -

@CaptainJaneway62 I think people are uploading it, than it's being taken down. I found another upload of it today but that has disappeared now.

I expect there will be a UK release for it sometime.

Thanks for the link. I've been listening to Debra Newell on the True Crime Profile podcast today, very interesting and she talks about why she behaved in certain ways.