Ep 1. The Mystery of Meredith's Murder

The Mystery of Meredith's Murder is the first episode of Dateline's seventeenth season. The show focuses on the baffling death of Meredith Kercher, a British student who was found murdered in Perugia, Italy, in 2007. The episode takes the audience through all the twists and turns of the case and presents previously unseen evidence that could hold the key to solving the mystery once and for all.

The show begins by introducing the audience to Meredith Kercher, a university student who was on a year-long exchange program in Perugia, Italy. Her roommates, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, are also introduced as the other two suspects in the case. The episode then goes on to describe the night of the murder and how the police found Meredith's body in her bedroom. The initial investigation was chaotic, and the police department was criticized for incompetence, but Knox and Sollecito were eventually arrested and charged with the murder.

As the episode progresses, evidence is presented from the trials, including forensic evidence that was collected from the crime scene and DNA testing that was done on Knox's and Sollecito's clothing. The episode also includes interviews with key players in the case, including journalists, family members of the victim, and legal experts. The audience is given a glimpse into the complex Italian legal system, and how the country's justice system dealt with this particular case.

Throughout the episode, the audience is given a sense of the emotional toll the case took on the victim's family, as well as Knox and Sollecito. The overwhelming media attention, combined with the psychological stress of being incarcerated in a foreign country, seemed to take a heavy toll on both suspects. The episode highlights the fear and confusion they both experienced as they were thrown into the Italian justice system without an understanding of the process.

The episode is particularly noteworthy for the new evidence presented, including the results of DNA testing on a previously undiscovered piece of evidence. This evidence has the potential to change the course of the investigation and may lead to a retrial. The episode does an exceptional job of documenting the investigation and presenting the evidence in an unbiased manner without sensationalizing the crime or portraying the suspects as innocent or guilty.

Overall, The Mystery of Meredith's Murder is a well-researched and thought-provoking episode of Dateline. The show's producers do an excellent job of presenting the facts of the case while also providing insight into the lives of those involved. The episode's unbiased approach to the complex and emotionally charged case allows the audience to form their conclusions about what may have happened to Meredith Kercher. With new evidence presented for the first time, the show provides a fascinating look into the case that has remained unsolved for over a decade.