Watch Dark Minds

Dark Minds is a true crime television show that premiered on Investigation Discovery in 2012. The show is hosted by writer, investigative journalist, and TV personality M. William Phelps and features criminal profiler John Kelly and investigative journalist Emily Strandten. Together, they investigate some of America's most perplexing and challenging cold cases.

The show follows a unique format, where Phelps and his team seek the insights of a convicted serial killer named Keith Hunter Jesperson, who is currently serving multiple life sentences for his crimes. Jesperson, known as the "Happy Face Killer," began communicating with Phelps while he was still incarcerated and offered to help him solve some of the most challenging unsolved cases.

The show is divided into two segments: the first half focuses on Jesperson's chilling confessions and insights into the psychology of serial killers, while the second half is dedicated to profiling and investigating active cold cases with Kelly and Stratten. The blend of Jesperson's eerie confessions and the in-depth investigations of the cold cases provides a gripping and engaging experience that sets the show apart from other true crime shows.

Jesperson's detailed accounts of some of his own murders, as well as insight into the minds of other killers, make for a fascinating and creepy watch. Through these confessions, Jesperson discusses how he chose his victims and the thought processes behind his decisions. Some of the cases that Jesperson discusses include the death of Joelene "Jody" Keenan in Washington state and the murder of Taunja Bennet in Illinois.

In the second half of the show, Kelly and Stratten use Jesperson's insights and their own investigative techniques to dive into the cases Jesperson suggests. These cases include unsolved murders, missing persons investigations, and other cold cases. The investigative duo meets with family members of the victims and law enforcement agencies that worked on the cases, gathering all available information to help bring closure for the family and possible justice for the victims.

The show also features interviews with professionals in the true crime field, including forensic experts and law enforcement officials, who offer their own expertise and insights into the cases. This adds additional depth to the investigation and provides the viewer with a more comprehensive look into the complexities of solving these types of cases.

One of the most compelling aspects of Dark Minds is its emphasis on the human side of these cases. The show gives the families of the victims a voice and provides a platform for their stories to be told. It's clear that Phelps, Kelly, and Stratten are not just interested in solving these cases; they are invested in bringing justice to the families who have been affected by these tragedies.

In terms of production value, Dark Minds is well-produced and delivers quality production standards. The set design is simple and unobtrusive, allowing the focus to be on the interviews and investigations. The show also utilizes reenactments of the crimes, which can be intense and graphic, but provide important context for the events being discussed.

Overall, Dark Minds offers a unique and intriguing perspective on the true crime genre. While other shows may focus solely on the investigation or the criminal, Dark Minds combines both in a way that offers a more complete view of these chilling cases. The immersive nature of the show and its dedication to presenting the human side of these crimes makes it a must-watch for fans of true crime.

Dark Minds is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (22 episodes). The series first aired on January 25, 2012.