The premise the work puts forward is that psychopaths are not made but born. The synopsis explains that they are born with different genes, and that, lacking mirror neurons in the brain, they cannot feel others' pain and have no emotions such as guilt or regret. If you accept this premise, 'how should we treat a perpetrator from whom no repentance can be expected' comes ahead of 'who did it,' the familiar question of crime stories. It is best to watch keeping in mind that this is, after all, an assumption the work set up for its story.
Another axis is the time of the victims' side. The synopsis emphasizes the contrast that the bereaved families live their whole lives in pain while the perpetrator lives without regret. So this series is followed with its weight placed on the feelings of those left behind and on the questions surrounding evil set up as innate, rather than on the thrill of the crime. Since it begins by referring to a real case, the weight of the subject matter is not light.
What to watch for
- 01
A key issue is which direction the 'psychopath gene' premise pushes the questions of the perpetrator's responsibility and punishment within the story.
- 02
It is worth watching how the explanation that a lack of mirror neurons means no empathy is expressed through the characters' words and actions.
- 03
Since the synopsis starts with a bereaved family member's statement in the courtroom, you can pay attention to how much of the drama is given to the victims' family's perspective.
Suited to viewers looking for a heavy crime series that confronts head-on the assumption of innate evil and the suffering of victims' bereaved families.