New Yorkers who lived through the Summer of Sam remember like it was yesterday.

Hell, most Americans feel that way.

Lovers lanes were empty.

A serial killer was hunting strangers with a .44 caliber pistol.

He seemed like Satan himself.

Headlines screamed that no one was safe.

Each of the people interviewed remember the details with such clarity that the pain appears fresh.

We know the importance of that now because there are hundreds of forensics cop shows.

But that is all in the abstract of fiction.

This documentary explains exactly what was at risk by giving out the details.

The story is told chronologically.

Parked between those cars is an impossible journey to a truth that a fifteen-minute addendum video throws doubt on.

It takes on the theory that Berkowitz didnt act alone.

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As random as the facts are in the case itself, the documentary is assured.

It is put together by Detectives Captain (Ret.)

Every single interview snippet is expert.

The editing is flawless.

The letters all show the creepy little satanic-looking symbol under the signature.

The legendary newsman is only caught in footage of the time.

There is no updated footage.

But here is the man who taunted the killer, hoping to draw him out.

They werent trying to scare New Yorkers to get to sell copies.

They were trying to scare them into staying home.

If it werent for a harassing letter, Berkowitz would never have been caught.

And it took her forever to get them to listen.

Had that letter gone to someone outside the system, no one would have noticed it.

That is not the fault of the cops, the documentary shows.

They had their hands full.

They were operating on almost no clues.

It still seems that way, watching them go through it now.

He pleads guilty, is spared a trial and straight to prison.

We learn that Berkowitz is now born-again Christian who calls himself the Son of Hope.

His rebranding campaign is never going to work.

The documentary moves fast.

This is one of the best paced specials Ive seen.

The story is compelling.

The footage is expertly selected.

The emotions are raw.

I could have watched another hour.

I was spoiled byMaking a Murderer.

For basic cable, Investigation Discovery delivers a satisfying watch.

Son of Sam: The Hunt for a Killerwas written and produced by Richard Carson Smith.

Read and download the fullDen of Geek Special Editionmagazine here!

Rating:

4.5 out of 5