Dirty John series two. Betty Broderick story.

[Roarsomemore]

Anyone else watching this? Finding myself really moved by the portrayal of gas lighting and betrayal. Also, trying to bear in mind the impact Betty's actions had (although true story don't want to give too much away) as she's such a sympathetic character. It's got me questioning my reactions! Would love to know how others have reacted.

Ok didn’t find her that sympathetic. She was spiteful and couldn’t let go imo. The break up of her marriage was hard but there can be no excuses for the awful thing she did.

I couldn't finish it as I was SO angry about the way he treated her

I hated him, I felt very sorry for her and I'm not surprised with how crazy she got

While murder is never the right thing to do, one could sympathise how she was driven over time to come to that state of mind.

Her experience was not unique. Many women were effectively screwed over. Happened to my childhood best friend’s mother. They met young. She worked and out him through school. Just like Betty. Raised the children mostly on her own as he was far too important and busy to help. Wasn’t the done thing back in the day.

House was always perfect. Amazing meals. Everything was about supporting him

Bastard was screwing his secretary. He’d also been bullying and gaslighting his wife for years. Even as young children, we knew something wasn’t right with her dad. He had such control over his wife.

Eventually the bit on the side said it was long enough her waiting around so my friends parents got divorced

That beautiful house she so painstakingly maintained, beautiful garden she created - gone. Kicked Out. Totally screwed over. As just a bystander as a teen, I remember feeling so very bad for her. Outraged really. He promised my friend all sorts of things, bribed her to stay and live with him and his new wife.

Thankfully, over time, friend’s mother met a lovely widower who worshipped her and they had some lovely years together.

Very much think they’re should be a defence of a crime of passion or somehow driven temporarily insane because that is what I think happened to Betty.

@CayrolBaaaskin

Ok didn’t find her that sympathetic. She was spiteful and couldn’t let go imo. The break up of her marriage was hard but there can be no excuses for the awful thing she did.

Agree with you Cayrol, and not to forget the ongoing impact on the kids. And if Betty had been the bloke in this situation I would have a different take on the situation too. I think I'm being swayed by the lack of power she felt in it all. Such a precarious position to be in to be financially dependant. Good TV show to get us thinking of these issue/themes.

There, not they’re. My pet peeve! Promise I know the difference - my phone makes bizarre changes to my text.

she's such a sympathetic character.

She really isn't.

Her husband may have treated her very poorly but her actions were heinous. Having a nasty husband doesn't make you "a sympathetic character."

I don't feel any sympathy for her. Yes her husband treated her badly but marriages breakdown every day. People cheat.

Just because you've had an affair doesn't mean you deserve to be shot & killed as you sleep. There's no excuse for what she did. I suspect had it been the husband who blasted his ex wife & her new husband opinions would be different

@Roarsomemore - I totally agree. She effectively used the kids to hurt him hurting them terribly in the process. She stalked him and was violent towards him and his new wife. He was not a good guy but I think she was worse.

I see how my dds love my ex and I couldn’t imagine doing that to him because it would do that to them. I don’t think she was sympathetic at all.

Very much think they’re should be a defence of a crime of passion or somehow driven temporarily insane because that is what I think happened to Betty.

I'm sure she was assessed by a specialist psychiatrist.

This was a premeditated murder, not a 'crime of passion'. Not sure we should be using that expression, since it has traditionally been used to describe, and excuse, the killing of women by jealous husbands.

Yes, Betty was treated badly but so, sadly, are thousands of women. But mostly they don't murder their exes and their pregnant wives while they were asleep in bed.