Everyone loves a good mystery. There’s something indescribably satisfying about uncovering the truth that will put all of the questions that haunt you to rest. After enduring the twists and turns of any mystery novel or film, it’s comforting when everything becomes right with the world once more and you can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Unfortunately, the real world does not give us this luxury. On every television network, newspaper cover, and radio station all across America, tremendous events have been documented that don’t always add up. We read and reread these stories in hopes of making some sense of these situations. Why did this occur? What could we have done to stop it? No matter how many times the important men in business suits attempt to explain the situation in the most vague phrases and terms possible, we are often left with a plethora of unanswered questions and a hopeless feeling in the pits of our stomachs.
Obviously life goes on, and we promptly disregard the event or mishap that caused us so much confusion and debate. However, wouldn’t it be nice to be informed for a change? To know all sides of a situation in order to make an educated and definite assertion? To silence the rumors and conspiracy theories that continually circulate? To find just an inkling of justice in a world overflowing with chaos and strife? Sarah Koenig firmly believes in a world like this, which is why she has created a podcast that delivers the facts, assesses the situation, and provides the answers to our long-awaited questions. This is Serial, and it is taking the world by storm.
Serial is a podcast that is hosted by Sarah Koenig, an award-winning American journalist. Koenig and her colleague Julie Snyder co-created and produced the show to resemble a previous radio program: This American Life. In its simplest form, Serial is a program that tells a story week by week. In an attempt to uncover the truths behind some of the most controversial world issues, Koenig dissects and investigates an occurrence over 12 one-hour-long episodes in hopes of reaching some sort of conclusion.
In her first season, Koenig investigated a Maryland murder that occurred in the ’90s. The convicted murderer, Adnan Seyed, claims to be innocent of the crime to this day. Throughout 12 grueling episodes, Koenig told every side of the story, spoke frequently with Adnan, and ultimately left no rock unturned. I won’t tell you the verdict because I highly recommend that you go and listen to it for yourself; however, I will say that the points and discoveries made by Koenig throughout the series was enough to grant Adnan Seyed a trial to determine if he should be retried with the additional evidence obtained via Serial. Koenig’s persistence for the truth and the growing popularity of Serial is paving the way for hope and justice to be restored on a large scale, and her current case appears to possess the same potential.
If you haven’t been living under a rock, it is likely that you have at some point heard the name Bowe Bergdahl. If you haven’t, Bowe Bergdahl is an army soldier who was stationed in Afghanistan when he walked off his base for reasons that Koenig is tirelessly deciphering. The result of this desertion was his imprisonment by the Taliban for five long years until President Obama finally made a very controversial trade for his rescue. Koenig and her colleagues, along with the assistance of Mark Boal, a renown screenwriter, have worked this case from every angle possible. She is not in direct contact with Bowe Bergdahl this season, but she receives all of his statements from Mark Boal, who maintains a close relationship with him. She has also acquired information from higher ups in the White House and even from people closely related to the Taliban in an attempt to come to a consensus regarding why a young army soldier would desert his post. The coverage of this case is not quite finished, but it has most definitely influenced many important people in many different ways. The finale will certainly not disappoint.
Serial is without a doubt completely and utterly unique. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a program that is so dedicated to bringing justice and truth to things that really matter. Sarah Koenig is not spending an hour every week talking about the latest trends and celebrity drama. She is talking about real people with real issues that affect us and the world we live in. Serial has already brought so much hope and peace to a world that is continually shrouded with conflict and chaos. I look forward to seeing their influence grow and prosper for many more years to come.
Both Serial seasons are available on iTunes, Pandora, or the Serial website. Make sure to check out the website, in particular, to see files and documents pertaining to the cases. Also be on the lookout for Serial: Season 3 coming soon in Spring 2016.