Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story episode 5 recap and review: “The Hurt Man”

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story episode 5 recap and review: "The Hurt Man"

As a fan who has been following this gripping series from the start, I must say that episode 5 of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” was a poignant and powerful addition to the narrative. While the first four episodes were engaging and entertaining, they didn’t quite prepare me for the raw emotionality of this standalone episode.

In the series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story“, I was anticipating the trial to start further along, but instead, episode 5 offers a more contemplative, abridged installment that turned out to be quite impactful. The initial four episodes are captivating and immersive, yet at times, the mood seems somewhat incongruous with the grim subject matter. However, episode 5, titled “The Hurt Man,” showcases an exceptionally moving portrayal by Cooper Koch as Erik, which leaves a lasting impression on viewers. It’s not an episode you’ll soon forget.

Major spoilers for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story episode 5 are below.

Trigger Warning: This episode explicitly references child sexual abuse.

Following her discussion with Lyle about his perspective, Leslie proceeds to reconnect with her client, Erik. This particular event plays a crucial role in the narrative, yet it also appears self-contained in terms of its cinematography and writing style. The entire 36-minute duration is presented as one continuous shot (or seamlessly edited to give that impression), providing an exclusive glimpse into Erik’s life, focusing on his most emotionally distressing moments. Subtly but significantly, the camera gradually moves closer to Erik’s face throughout the episode, generating a profound and moving viewing experience.

Erik opens up

The chat between Leslie and Erik starts as Erik shares the news that his friend Tony, who was in jail, is no longer there. He’s unsure if he was transferred or something else occurred, but either way, Erik finds himself back in solitude once more. This loneliness casts a melancholic hue over him, and the forthcoming topics only serve to deepen his discomfort. Leslie then mentions her discussion with Lyle, revealing they’d discussed everything that Erik had shared with his psychiatrist. She remembers what Lyle had said, and Erik concurs, acknowledging it as accurate.

In a surprising turn of events, Leslie inquires if Erik trusts Lyle, a belief he firmly stands by. She reveals that Lyle believes Erik experienced more hardship than him, an assertion with which Erik agrees. Eager to learn more, Leslie encourages Erik to share his story from the beginning, starting with when the abuse started. Erik then shares an incredibly painful narrative about his past, detailing the horrific actions of his father. He recalls being terrified of his dad for as long as he can remember and acknowledges that Lyle has always been his guardian. Although none of the sexual acts were desired by him, he differentiates them based on their intensity. He recollects instances of massages and groping when he was just six years old, feeling accepted during those moments.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story episode 5 recap and review: "The Hurt Man"

Seeking love and validation

Erik shares an unfortunate truth about his childhood: His father favored Lyle over him and exhibited cruel behavior towards him. In some cases, even his mother would participate in this mistreatment. As a result of his fear, they often confined him to the basement for extended periods. Seeking affection and connection, Erik shares with Leslie that the rare instances when he felt he had a genuine bond with his father were during the times when he was being mistreated. It seems that those moments were the only time his father expressed love towards him.

Regrettably, the degree of mistreatment intensified over time. The touching progressed to oral sex, sexual acts involving objects, and rape. It was his father who had been raping him, starting from his junior high years and continuing until just before the killings. Erik recalls José often asking him why he couldn’t be like Lyle, urging him to accept the abuse as a part of life.

Even amidst everything, Erik openly expresses that he continues to harbor affection for his father. He confides in Leslie that he yearns for freedom from the prison system not because of any other reason, but because during solitary moments, his thoughts often drift towards the reality of his love for his father. Impressed by his courage, Leslie discloses a personal struggle with her own father and assures him that it’s okay if he doesn’t forgive his dad.

Afterwards, Leslie inquires about Erik’s mother from him, and he discloses some surprising details. He mentions that she occasionally walked around nude in front of his brothers, but they weren’t required to touch her. However, there was strain because Erik believed his mother might have suspected what his father was doing to him, creating a barrier between them. This, he surmises, is why she encouraged him to get a girlfriend. He then shares an uncomfortable detail, stating that his mother would examine his genitals, fearing he could have contracted AIDS. Leslie tries to delve deeper into this issue, asking why she might hold such concerns, but Erik prefers not to discuss it further.

Cooper Koch is great in Monsters

Leslie talks to Erik about how they and Lyle deserved more from their mother, but Erik continues to support her. Curious, Leslie questions why anyone would assume he could have AIDS, and Erik can’t find the right words to respond. He isn’t sure about his sexual orientation, but he did fall in love with another boy around his age. They were romantically and physically involved, but Erik feels abnormal due to past experiences with his father. He struggles with understanding himself and feels broken. He tells Leslie that he refers to himself as “The Hurt Man,” a name he’s identified with for a long time.

Erik expresses concern that he won’t be able to discover his identity while in prison, and Leslie assures him she’ll help him secure his release. While it’s uncertain if he trusts her, knowing he has an ally gives him some comfort.

Title “The Tormented Man” could serve as a more subtle and less aggressive alternative. This series might prove challenging to watch, but it seems essential. Initially, the program has occasionally veered towards explicit content, however, the mood drastically changes here, offering Erik an opportunity to express himself deeply. It’s raw, heart-wrenching, and incredibly potent simultaneously. It is unlikely that any viewer wouldn’t empathize with the brothers following this episode.

All nine episodes of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story are streaming on Netflix.

2024-09-20 15:28