Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now

The interview skills of Oprah was very mediocre on here, almost childish. All she kept doing is asking 11 year old type questions and saying mmhmm, ok. Didn't even really need the cast on their, only the real Central Park 5. Seeing them on stage, it becomes even more apparent of how the system messed them up mentally. Oprah interview gets a negative 8, Ava's presence a negative 4, the movie cast a negative 2, but the real individuals brings it up to a score of 4.

I know it is called a documentary, but you could also clearly call it just a talk show. That does not take anything away from the impact this might have. There are other shows that really put people on the spot and while doing a good or great thing (reuniting families or other nice stuff), work to get audience all sentimental and profit from that.

Oprah at least in this instance really cares for the 4 individuals who really had to go through quite a lot. It is amazing and heartbreaking hearing the people involved (at least the innocent ones, because the ones who pushed the negative agenda, will not speak out - even if they did, what would they say? Sorry? Would be a start I reckon, but don't hold your breath ...) and their journey and what they thought about the movie.

You also get to hear from the actors and how they prepared for their roles and what it means to them. Obviously it makes sense to watch the movie/series beforehand. Netflix actually made me watch this after the the 4 parter was over. Usually it asks you what you want to do next ... in this instance it just started after the other one ended. I'm not complaining mind you, because it is quite the complimentary piece ...

This special interviews the people of the production WHEN THEY SEE US but also interviews the five men at the centre of this important series. It is heartbreaking and, hopefully, can serve as a bridge of understanding as to how circumstance and perspective can pervert justice. {Interview}

"based on a true story" has become Hollywood's license to lie. VICE did it to VP Cheney. This series does it to the trial that took place. It is fraught with inaccuracies that would be funny if they weren't so sad. The parents were present when the boys admitted to the crime. They boys had committed other crimes that night and committed other crimes after this trial. The prosecutor is shown as a crazy racist, couldn't' be further from the truth. She has since lost her job and her publisher because of the lies of this Netflix series. The police involved say this show is about 5% fact and 95% lies and spin. Oprah stirring the hate vote of her base coming up on a 2020 election. Sad failure.

I understand this show is about the exonerated five and the huge ordeal they endured. However, I missed one question that I believed is also not developed in the series: what happened to the jogger? how does she live now? has she ever met them? what's her position on the justice system?

Also, in my opinion they wanted to talk to too many people in a short time, and the result is not great.