“The Ed Gein Story” is the third season of the Monster anthology series, making it a part of the franchise rather than a sequel. This series consists of biographical crime drama anthologies, with each season focusing on a different notorious person; Jeffery Dahmer was featured in the first season, and Joseph and Erik Menendez were featured in the second. This show has also been #1 on the TV series list on Netflix since it premiered.
The third season, “The Ed Gein Story”, goes into full detail about the life of the notorious grave robber and murderer Ed Gein, who is portrayed by actor Charlie Hunnam. The discovery of his crimes took place in 1957 and played a major influence on many horror films, including Psycho. The series follows Gein, a recluse in Wisconsin, and his obsession with his deceased mother. It is revealed that this obsession has led to him committing multiple crimes, most notably, murder. This series also elaborates on how his case became a main influence on fiction stories. In total, the series consists of eight episodes, each telling a different story of Gein’s journey to madness and the disturbed relationship with his mother.
Here is a quick guide on each episode:
Episode 1: “Mother” — This episode focuses on Gein’s relationship with his dominant mother and how it leads to his madness.
Episode 2: “Sick as Your Secrets” – This episode emphasizes Gein’s misunderstandings with the concept of death. In a scene where his reality seems to collide, he is faced with the fictional reality that comes with Hollywood and grappling with those emotions.
Episode 3: “The Babysitter” – This episode details a twisted search for connection that leads to an odd encounter and the influence for a following act of vengeance.
Episode 4: “Green” – This episode depicts Gein torn between two women while tales of a real-life villain inspire a young Texas filmmaker.
Episode 5: “Ice” – This episode shows Gein’s horrific desires, leading to unconscionable acts as a woman dreams of city fame.
Episode 6: “Buxom Bird” – In this episode, authorities discover the crime scene, and Gein’s baffling reasoning raises more questions.
Episode 7: “Ham Radio” – This episode depicts the investigation and how Gein attempts to communicate with the outside world.
Episode 8: “The Godfather” In this episode, Gein finds a new purpose by supporting investigators in solving a disturbing case.
Ultimately, the series was a worthy watch, but it does not compare to the aesthetically pleasing cinematography of the previous seasons; it is good, but does not meet the same quality. The series used Gein’s story as a background to explore themes of obsession, mental illness, and his lasting influence on future horror stories. The plot follows Gein’s reign of terror leading up to his arrest for murder and grave robbing, and the climax is the shocking discovery of the contents of his farmhouse. This series is rated a 7.5/10. It will have viewers on the edge of their seats; palms becoming sweatier each episode.
