Ep 13. O.J.: Made In America - Part 4

O.J.: Made in America - Part 4 is an episode from the third season of the acclaimed documentary series 30 For 30. The episode continues the story of O.J. Simpson, the former NFL star and actor who became the focus of a sensational murder trial in the mid-1990s.

The previous episodes of O.J.: Made in America traced Simpson's rise to fame and fortune, his trial for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, and the controversial verdict that acquitted him of the crimes. Part 4 picks up where the previous episode left off, examining the aftermath of the trial and the impact it had on American society.

The episode begins with Simpson returning to his life of celebrity after being found not guilty. He returns to the golf course, makes appearances on TV and in movies, and generally tries to put the trial behind him. However, the public's fascination with the case refuses to die down, and Simpson becomes a symbol of racial tensions in America. The episode delves into the complex issues of race and justice that the trial exposed, from the history of police brutality against black people to the divisions within the black community over Simpson's guilt or innocence.

The documentary also explores the ways in which Simpson's life began to unravel in the years following the trial. His marriage to his second wife Nicole fell apart, and he faced financial problems and legal troubles. The episode features interviews with people who knew Simpson during this period, including his former girlfriend Paula Barbieri and his lawyer Robert Shapiro. They offer insights into the complexities of Simpson's personality and the ways in which he tried to cope with the fallout from the trial.

One of the most fascinating aspects of O.J.: Made in America - Part 4 is its exploration of the cultural impact that the trial had on America. The documentary examines how the case became a media sensation, with millions of people tuning in to watch the trial on TV. It also looks at the ways in which the trial inspired debates about race, celebrity, and justice. The documentary includes interviews with journalists who covered the trial, legal experts who analyzed its significance, and cultural critics who reflected on its broader meaning.

Overall, O.J.: Made in America - Part 4 is a powerful and thought-provoking episode of 30 for 30. It offers a nuanced and complex portrait of O.J. Simpson, a man whose life came to embody the contradictions and conflicts of America in the late 20th century. The documentary illuminates the ways in which the trial exposed the fault lines in American society, and the enduring impact that it has had on our cultural and political landscape.