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Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story episode 1 recap and review: “Blame it on the Rain”

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Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story episode 1 recap and review: "Blame it on the Rain"

As a seasoned psychotherapist with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the story of the Menendez brothers is one that truly resonates with me on a professional level. The intricate dance between family dynamics, substance abuse, and ultimately, cold-blooded murder, is a tragic tapestry that unfolds before our eyes.

The second installment of Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” has recently premiered, showcasing a total of 10 episodes. This season delves into the tragic tale of the real-life siblings who tragically took their parents’ lives. Unlike the first season that portrayed infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in a more straightforward evil light, this season offers a more complex narrative, exploring the intricate dynamics between Lyle, Erik, and their parents, as well as the reasons behind their actions.

In the debut episode of “Monsters,” titled “Blame it on the Rain,” Lyle and Erik initially come across as typical young men, even though they’re quite wealthy and somewhat detached from reality. However, beneath their ordinary exterior lies a deep-seated pain and a complex relationship with their parents, José and Kitty. This Netflix Original takes us through the events of one fateful night when the brothers committed a murder, and the aftermath that followed.

WARNING: Major spoilers for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story episode 1 are below.

The funeral ceremony commences following the tragic murders, finding Erik and Lyle in a limousine en route to a memorial service for their parents. Despite their shared grief, their expressions of sorrow manifest distinctly; Lyle talks about his plan for a buffalo wings restaurant while Erik remains somber and upset. A pivotal moment arrives when Erik notices Lyle wearing their father’s shoes to the service, causing him to break down in tears. Lyle attempts to console him by asserting that their parents would be immensely proud of their achievements, ultimately leading them to the church for the service. The venue is bustling with media as reporters bombard the brothers with questions about whether their parents were assassinated by the mafia – a theory they appear intrigued by.

During the ceremony, both siblings ascend to address the audience via microphone, and their discourses exhibit stark contrasts. Whilst Erik displays deep emotion and even sheds tears as he reminisces about his deceased parents, Lyle exudes diplomacy and composure. He expresses his readiness to assume his father’s role as the family’s pillar. Through these initial scenes, their character traits become apparent, a theme that will be further developed across subsequent episodes. Intriguingly, at the conclusion of his speech, Erik selects a Milli Vanilli tune to play over the speakers, an action that leaves other attendees puzzled. Given the circumstances of his parent’s passing, Erik’s choice seems unusual and uncharacteristic.

Fast-forwarding briefly to 1989, it’s been two months since the tragic loss of José and Kitty. Through a news broadcast, we learn that the police are no nearer to uncovering the murderers, with anyone now a potential suspect. Erik and Lyle continue their lives, grappling with grief, but Erik is tormented by the past. He experiences recurring nightmares of the murders, only finding peace when he ‘dies’ in his dreams. Their life before the tragedy seemed idyllic; José was a high-ranking executive at an entertainment firm and they lived lavishly in a mansion, indulging in various hobbies. The boys were striving for academic success, with Lyle even attending Princeton University – that is, until his expulsion.

On the surface, it may appear that Erik and Lyle lived a picture-perfect life. However, appearances were deceiving; far from it, they endured an abusive relationship with their father José. The first episode unveils some of these distressing instances.

In a desperate state, I reached out to my trusted therapist, Dr. Oziel, and scheduled an emergency appointment for the same day. En route, I crossed paths with Lyle and his girlfriend Jamie, and in an attempt to shield them from my turmoil, I fibbed about running errands. Upon arriving at the therapy office, I poured out my heart to my doctor, admitting that I’ve been battling suicidal thoughts and sharing the chilling details of my nightmares. However, there were a few secrets I kept hidden, even from Dr. Oziel.

The story unfolds using flashback sequences, showing us the events that ultimately led Erik and Lyle to take their parents’ lives and the subsequent repercussions. Erik admits he was influenced by the film “Billionaire Boys Club“, which he introduced to Lyle. However, Dr. Oziel is puzzled, questioning why they would resort to such a drastic action merely due to a movie. The flashbacks offer glimpses into the brothers’ contentious relationship with their father, José. In one instance, we see José berating Erik for a poor tennis match in front of everyone. Another flashback depicts José screaming at Lyle and smashing a plate when he couldn’t answer a geography question during dinner. Dr. Oziel queries if José was abusive physically, to which Erik replies that he was “very domineering.” From these flashbacks, it’s clear that the term “domineering” significantly underestimates José’s behavior.

Later, Dr. Oziel questions why they might have killed their mother, to which Erik clarifies that she was heavily dependent on their father due to his infidelity with Kitty. This resulted in Kitty’s substance abuse problems. The brothers appeared sympathetic towards her struggles and Erik states they were trying to alleviate her suffering. He recalls a particularly distressing incident that took place after Lyle got expelled from college for plagiarism. Their home became increasingly tumultuous following this event, with frequent arguments between Lyle and José. One evening at dinner, the tension escalated when Lyle announced his plans to marry his girlfriend. Kitty entered the fray, crossing a line by removing Lyle’s wig during the argument, shocking everyone present, as Erik was unaware that Lyle had lost his hair. The dispute eventually ceased, but Erik was taken aback by this revelation.

In a turn of events, Erik trailed Lyle into his private space and discovered to his astonishment that Lyle had been sporting false hair for around three to four years. Sharing this revelation with Dr. Oziel, Erik recounted how this incident served as a pivotal experience for him; it exposed his brother in a state of vulnerability. From then on, Erik resolved to stand by Lyle’s side, distancing himself from their parents.

Erik reminisces about accompanying Lyle to purchase firearms, eventually locating a shop in San Diego that accepted a false ID. In this recollection, the siblings devise their alibi for the night of the killings by phoning a friend and arranging a meeting at Taste of L.A. With everything set, the brothers execute the murders. The narrative transitions to depict them entering their family home and firing multiple shots at their parents in a gruesome sequence. Upon escaping, they transport the bodies to the woods for burial. To fulfill their alibi, they initially attempt to purchase cinema tickets for a movie already in progress, but are refused by the attendant. They then proceed to Taste of L.A., only to discover their friend was no longer present. In an effort to validate their whereabouts, they endeavor to be seen by other patrons at the location.

Erik and Lyle return to their residence, only to discover that no authorities or other individuals have arrived yet. At this moment, Lyle decides to dial 911, reporting that someone has apparently taken the lives of their parents.

At Dr. Oziel’s clinic, the therapist proposes that they reach out to Lyle for a follow-up conversation regarding the recent events. When Lyle is contacted by the doctor, he becomes enraged and swiftly heads over. In the interim, Dr. Oziel feigns going for coffee and makes a hasty exit to a public phone booth. He contacts a woman named Judalon, who appears to be his mistress, inviting her to the office as a potential witness. Not surprisingly, she shows some reservations but eventually agrees.

In the office’s reception area, Judalon and Erik stand uneasily. When Dr. Oziel re-enters, Erik is ushered into his office along with Lyle. A heated argument ensues among them. Upon seeing Judalon dash out, Erik becomes agitated and insists on knowing who she is. Dr. Oziel deceives him, claiming he doesn’t recognize her. The atmosphere grows tense. Erik is infuriated by Lyle’s confession, initially denying it. However, Dr. Oziel reveals that if they admit the truth about their father’s murder, he can testify in court that they were afraid of their father – provided they come clean with him regarding their motive for the crime.

Dr. Oziel claims he can’t reveal anything Erik shared with him, and he makes it clear that any potential consequences won’t be his doing. After leaving, Erik and Lyle apologize to each other in the car. However, their conversation takes a dark turn when Lyle reveals they must eliminate Dr. Oziel. This certainly raises concerns. Despite Erik sharing what happened with his therapist in hopes of finding relief, he doesn’t get the desired outcome. Now that Lyle knows about his confession, it seems their situation is far from resolved.

The debut of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” effectively establishes the series’ foundation and skillfully blends past and present events. Expect numerous flashbacks as we uncover what drove the brothers to such heinous acts. Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch deliver compelling performances, leaving me eager for more from the ensemble cast in future episodes.

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2024-09-19 16:28

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