The first season of Monster, titled Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, debuted on September 21, 2022, delivering a haunting depiction of the infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, this true-crime series invites viewers into the psyche of Dahmer, portrayed by Evan Peters. Fans can anticipate the second season, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, scheduled for release on September 19, 2024.
Monster season 1 chronicles Dahmer’s early years, his criminal activities, and his eventual apprehension.
The official synopsis for Dahmer states:
“Over a span of more than a decade, 17 teenage boys and young men lost their lives to convicted killer Jeffrey Dahmer. How did he manage to evade capture for so long?”
Monster Season 1 Recap: Episode Highlights
Monster season 1 unfolds over 10 gripping episodes. It begins with Dahmer’s arrest after Tracy Edwards escapes in Episode One. Subsequent episodes such as Please Don’t Go (Episode 2) and Doin’ a Dahmer (Episode 3) delve into Dahmer’s troubled upbringing and his first murder.
Episode 4, titled The Good Boy Box, showcases Dahmer targeting young men at gay bars while residing with his grandmother. In Episode 5, Blood on Their Hands, his growing list of victims comes to light, all while he evades law enforcement. Episode 6, Silenced, focuses on Dahmer’s relationship with a model.
Episodes 7 and 8, Cassandra and Lionel, explore his father’s struggles and the preparations for Dahmer’s trial. The final installments, The Bogeyman and God of Forgiveness, God of Vengeance, conclude with Dahmer’s imprisonment and eventual downfall.
The Start of a Nightmare
Opening with a disturbing incident involving police brutality on the streets of Milwaukee, Monster season 1 establishes a tense atmosphere. At the same time, a foul odor emanating from Dahmer’s apartment raises suspicions among his neighbors. Dahmer initially dismisses their concerns, attributing the smell to dead fish or spoiled meat. However, as the stench intensifies, he becomes increasingly agitated.
Tracy Edwards, a 32-year-old man, encounters Dahmer at a local bar, where Dahmer lures him to his apartment with a promise of money for a photo shoot. Unbeknownst to Tracy, he is about to face unimaginable horror. As uncomfortable feelings arise, he notices the terrible smell within Dahmer’s apartment. The situation escalates when Dahmer handcuffs one of Tracy’s wrists.
As Dahmer grows more menacing, brandishing a knife, Tracy seeks an opportunity to escape. In a moment of desperation, he manages to break free and flags down two police officers, returning them to Dahmer’s residence. This leads to Dahmer’s arrest; the police discover evidence of his gruesome crimes, including decaying human remains and signs of dismemberment, confirming that he has been on a killing spree for years.
Disturbing Childhood and Early Signs
Monster season 1 also delves into Dahmer’s childhood and adolescence. Several episodes highlight his tumultuous family life, characterized by his parents’ bitter divorce and his struggles in school.
As a high school senior, Jeffrey Dahmer starts to recognize his attraction to men, alongside a growing fascination with animal dissection. Left to fend for himself after his parents split, he turns to heavy drinking.
In a pivotal moment, Dahmer picks up hitchhiker Steven Hicks, but after a confrontation, he kills Steven using a dumbbell. Although police briefly detain him with Hicks’ remains in his car, Dahmer escapes suspicion and later disposes of the body.
Dahmer’s Life in the Shadows
Dahmer’s inability to form healthy relationships continues to drive him deeper into isolation as he ages. Following his expulsion from Ohio State University, he joins the Army but is discharged for alcohol abuse.
Ultimately, he moves in with his grandmother and accidentally kills Steven Tuomi. The count of his victims increases as he successfully conceals his horrific behaviors from everyone around him.
Police Oversights and Missed Opportunities
Law enforcement’s failure to halt Dahmer’s killing spree is a central theme in Monster season 1. Despite several red flags and neighbor complaints about suspicious activities, police neglect to take action.
Dahmer’s Arrest and Its Aftermath
The culmination of Monster season 1 occurs when Dahmer is arrested following the discovery of horrifying evidence in his apartment. The full extent of Dahmer’s horrifying acts becomes known to the outside world.
The series powerfully illustrates the emotional strain placed on Dahmer’s father, Lionel Dahmer, as he confronts the reality of his son’s monstrous actions. Lionel’s struggle to understand how his son became a killer adds a tragic layer to the narrative.
Meanwhile, the families of Dahmer’s victims grapple with profound grief, fear, and sleepless nights filled with nightmares. Attorney Joe Zilber files a $14 million lawsuit on behalf of the victims’ families, while revenue from Lionel’s book detailing his experience as Jeffrey’s father is designated to support the victims’ families.
In prison, Dahmer begins receiving “fan mail”and trades autographed items for money. Unexpectedly, items from his home are sold, and attorney Zilber smartly requests sellers to increase the asking price to ensure the victims’ families receive their share.
After attending a church service in prison, Dahmer expresses a desire to be baptized, coinciding with John Wayne Gacy’s execution. However, prisoner Christopher Scarver brutally kills both Dahmer and Jesse Anderson.
By the conclusion of Monster season 1, Dahmer’s remains are cremated, although his brain is preserved for research. Despite this, Lionel and the victims’ families advocate for its destruction. Ultimately, both the Oxford Apartments and Dahmer’s brain are disposed of.
Monster Season 2 Update
Monster season 2 shifts the narrative focus from Jeffrey Dahmer to the notorious case of the Menendez brothers, providing an in-depth look into their lives. This season will feature nine episodes centered around the shocking 1989 murders of Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty”by their sons, Lyle and Erik.
The Menendez brothers asserted that their actions stemmed from enduring physical, emotional, and sexual abuse inflicted by their parents, while prosecutors contended the brothers killed their parents for a chance at their family fortune. This upcoming season will explore the multiple layers of this high-profile case that created a stir across the nation in the 1990s, including the sensational trial and its lasting impact on the true-crime genre.
Monster season 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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