The episode begins with hearing about a supposed gangland graveyard. Apparently, the FBI has reason to suspect several bodies are buried in a New York lot--and they're going to bring in their forensic folks to determine IF bodies are there, WHO they are and HOW they were killed. Unfortunately, any discussion of this would occur MUCH later in the show.
I have noticed that some episodes of "Secrets of the Dead" are very forensics-oriented and some are more about re-creating the story. Finding the right balance is tricky, I am sure. In this installment, I was a bit disappointed because while the show seems to focus on the forensics quite a bit early on, soon it really became an exposee on the Bonanno family. I say disappointment because I was fascinated with how the FBI could uncover bodies which had been buried in muddy soil for 25 years and build a case around it--and this just didn't seem to matter as the evaluation of the various bones seemed to disappear mid-show. Then, it consisted of various actors portraying mob leaders as they reconstructed their illegal activities. I really wish the show had chosen ONE focus--the forensics or the court case and investigation. As a result, the show seems watered down and lacked focus. As a crime exposee it was lacking and as a forensics show, it was simply maddening. How could they spend 25% of the show on this and then just drop the forensics?! Crazy.
Despite this serious problem, the show is mildly interesting though a bit gruesome. Not among the better episodes of the series.
I have noticed that some episodes of "Secrets of the Dead" are very forensics-oriented and some are more about re-creating the story. Finding the right balance is tricky, I am sure. In this installment, I was a bit disappointed because while the show seems to focus on the forensics quite a bit early on, soon it really became an exposee on the Bonanno family. I say disappointment because I was fascinated with how the FBI could uncover bodies which had been buried in muddy soil for 25 years and build a case around it--and this just didn't seem to matter as the evaluation of the various bones seemed to disappear mid-show. Then, it consisted of various actors portraying mob leaders as they reconstructed their illegal activities. I really wish the show had chosen ONE focus--the forensics or the court case and investigation. As a result, the show seems watered down and lacked focus. As a crime exposee it was lacking and as a forensics show, it was simply maddening. How could they spend 25% of the show on this and then just drop the forensics?! Crazy.
Despite this serious problem, the show is mildly interesting though a bit gruesome. Not among the better episodes of the series.