Ep 10. O.J.: Made In America - Part 1

O.J.: Made In America is an in-depth look at the life and career of O.J. Simpson, the legendary football player turned Hollywood actor who became one of the most controversial figures in America following his trial for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994.

The series is divided into five parts, with each episode examining a different aspect of O.J.'s life and legacy. Part one begins with his rise to fame as a college football star at USC, where he won the Heisman Trophy and became one of the most dominant players in the game.

The episode looks at the racial and socio-economic context of O.J.'s upbringing in San Francisco, and how his success on the football field gave him access to a world of privilege and opportunity that was often closed off to black athletes at the time.

Through archival footage and interviews with friends, family members, and colleagues, the episode paints a picture of O.J. as a charismatic and ambitious young man with a deep-seated desire for acceptance and validation. Despite facing racism and discrimination throughout his life, O.J. was determined to prove himself as a football player and as a person, and he worked tirelessly to achieve his goals.

The episode also delves into O.J.'s relationship with his first wife, Marguerite Whitley, and the ways in which his success on the field strained their marriage. Though O.J. was a devoted father to their children, he was also known for his womanizing and infidelity, and Marguerite eventually divorced him after years of feeling neglected and mistreated.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that O.J.'s success on the football field came at a cost. He was forced to navigate a world of white privilege and racial tension, and he often found himself torn between his desire to be accepted by white society and his obligation to his black roots.

Despite these challenges, O.J. remained one of the most beloved and admired athletes of his time, and his influence on American culture and history cannot be overstated. This episode sets the stage for the rest of the series, which explores O.J.'s rise to fame, his fall from grace, and the ways in which his legacy continues to shape our understanding of race, justice, and celebrity in America today.