So if you’re here you are wondering one thing, is the new Apple TV+ original drama series Defending Jacob worth a watch? Well, the short answer is you can bet your softer than usual quarantined ass it is! This is edge-of-your-seat drama in it’s finest form, complete with stellar acting, great writing, gorgeous cinematography, and a score that is absolute perfection. I have yet to find time to read the novel the series is based on (I plan to once I have watched the entire thing), but the show is just too good. I won’t give anything away for those of you unfamiliar with the series, because well that would be a real a-hole move. Aside from the basic premise which is below.
Andy Barber is a successful Boston area prosecutor played by none other than the man himself Chris Evans, aka Captain America. By all accounts Barber has it made, a successful career and a beautiful family living in a nice suburban neighborhood, but in an instant everything changes for him. If it isn’t bad enough that he is called to the grisly murder scene just blocks from his home to find one of his son’s classmates dead at the bottom of an embankment stabbed to death, soon he will learn that the prime suspect is none other than his only son, Jacob, played by the talented Jaeden Martell. Martell is formerly known as Jaeden Lieberher, but decided to officially change his last name to his mother’s maiden name as he was raised by her. I’m also pretty sure he got sick of people not being able to pronounce his last name, myself included. He is best known most recently for his work in the remakes of Stephen King’s It films in the lead role of Bill Denbrough as a kid. He was also fantastic along Bill Murray in the 2014 film St. Vincent. Michelle Dockery, best known for Downton Abbey, plays the role of Andy’s wife and Jacob’s mother, Laurie Barber. Once Jacob is named as the prime suspect in the murder that has shaken the entire community, life will never be the same for the Barber family.
Watching this family fall apart right before your eyes is both mesmerizing and heartbreaking, which is admittedly a unique balance. Andy’s professional life collides with his personal life in such a way that it is almost hard to comprehend, and the many layers that brings to the surface is just extremely fascinating to me. As I watch the show I can’t help but think of the inner-turmoil he is dealing with, and I just feel horrible for the guy, it really is the absolute worst case scenario. Just trying to imagine how you would react if you were faced with similar circumstances is enough to make this show worth watching. We have watched 4 episodes so far, the initial 3 and the 4th that dropped last Friday, with episode 5 dropping tomorrow, May 8th. The other unique element with which Apple TV+ is releasing Defending Jacob is the fact that the synopsis for each episode yet to be released is completely blank both online and on the streaming service itself, so you are left to guess what will happen next. I am absolutely hooked and can’t wait to see where this show goes.
Now as I mentioned Apple TV+ aired 3 episodes of the total 8 once the show made its official debut on April 24th, and continues to air one episode a week each Friday until the series concludes on the final Friday of May which is the 29th. I know you may be hesitant to sign-up for yet another streaming service (I felt the same way), but trust me when I say Defending Jacob is ABSOLUTELY worth it! You can also snag a week trial of Apple TV+ here.
Enjoy!!