Ep 7. The Purge

In season 4 episode 7 of CopyCat Killers, titled "The Purge," viewers are taken through the story of the real-life events that inspired the film franchise of the same name - where for 12 hours a year, all crimes, including murder, are legal.

The episode begins with the murder of a young woman, Alanna Gallagher, who was found bound to a tree and set on fire in Texas. The similarities between her brutal killing and scenes from the movie "The Purge" are eerie, from the method of the murder to the words etched into the victim's body.

The investigation leads detectives to suspect a young couple, who had recently split up after a tumultuous relationship. The ex-boyfriend, who was known to be violent and controlling, becomes the prime suspect.

As the investigation into Alanna's death deepens, detectives discover that the ex-boyfriend had a deep fascination with "The Purge" franchise, and had even meticulously planned his own "Purge Night" to target his ex-girlfriend and others. The couple's history of domestic violence only adds to suspicion.

Viewers are taken through the intricate details of the crime, from the suspect's planning to the chilling final moments of the victim's life. Through interviews with law enforcement officers, journalists, and family members of the victim, a picture is painted of what could happen when someone becomes too obsessed with the blurred lines between fiction and reality.

Furthermore, the episode explores larger themes surrounding "The Purge" franchise, such as the distorted societal values that it represents and the potential dangers of normalizing extreme violent behavior through popular media.

Ultimately, viewers are left with a chilling and thought-provoking account of a real-life crime that remained steeped in the world of fiction, but sadly left a real victim in its wake.