Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sensational docuseries challenges infamous murder case.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Face to Face with Scott Peterson
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
FACE TO FACE WITH SCOTT PETERSON is a three-part docuseries that revisits the 2004 conviction of Scott Peterson for the murder of his wife, Laci and unborn son Conner. Twenty years later, after a review of the evidence, the L.A. Innocence Project has taken up his case and hopes to have his conviction overturned. The series revisits Laci's disappearance from their Modesto, California, home on December 24, 2002, and what transpired afterward, including an intensive search, the horrific discovery of the victims' remains off the shore of the San Francisco Bay, and the collection of evidence against Scott that led to his arrest, including his affair with Amber Frey. While the original investigators and prosecutors discuss the procedural and legal efforts made to solve the murder and put the killer behind bars, conversations with Scott Peterson's sister Susan Caudillo, his sister-in-law Janey Peterson, and others share their thoughts about what they think may have happened to Laci, and why they believe investigator bias and the sensational media coverage of the overall case influenced the outcome of the trial. Throughout it all, segments of video phone interviews with Scott Peterson, who's serving life in prison, offer his explanations about everything that happened and his thoughts about what his future may hold.
Is It Any Good?
This markedly sensational docuseries reviews the details surrounding the well-publicized disappearance and murder of Laci Peterson while highlighting alternative theories of the crime. In Face to Face with Scott Peterson, those who believe Scott is innocent discuss what they believe went wrong during the investigation and subsequent trial. They mention different scenarios that can explain what happened, including the "Medina Burglary Theory," which suggests, based on some evidence, that Laci was kidnapped and murdered by people breaking into homes in her neighborhood.
Not surprisingly, those who were involved in the original investigation and prosecution of the crime are firm in their belief that the right man in is prison. It's interesting enough, but all of this centers around the interviews with a polite and friendly Scott Peterson, who hasn't been seen or heard from publicly since 2004, and who's intent on explaining details about the case from his point of view. His participation is designed to make the documentary (and him) more compelling, but not everyone will agree with giving a man convicted of murder a spotlight.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the murder of Laci Peterson and the trial of Scott Peterson specifically received national attention. What role did media have in this process?
Is Face to Face with Scott Peterson meant to be objective? How does the participation of Scott Peterson in the project affect the narrative?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 20, 2024
- Cast: Scott Peterson , Susan Caudillo , Janey Peterson
- Network: Peacock
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: August 26, 2024
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