The Jinx
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This article was originally published on March 15, 2015.
Weve republished it to coincide withThe Jinx Part 2.
By the end of this tense, revealing, and unbelievable hour, there was no question why.
The episode begins with Jarecki wrangling one last interview with Durst.
And he hangs up the phone.
This is the wisest choice he could have made.
It is astonishing, in fact, that he ever participated in this series.
His participation inThe Jinxseems to follow the same strange, self-defeating pattern.
Durst reaches his breaking point all due to one incriminating piece of evidence: his own handwriting.
There was no sign of any kind of forced entry, the cops said.
Whoever killed her had probably been let in by Susan Berman.
Durst was in California and unaccounted for at the time of Bermans death.
He flew home from San Francisco immediately thereafter.
Dursts attorney, more restrained, says only, I see similarities and I see differences.
Lawyers, am I right?
The filmmaking team dutifully digs up a lease system completed by Durst.
… Characteristics are unique to one person and only one person.
I wasnt sure that Bob was guilty, and thats a big, big change.
Its here that Durst begins dodging a meeting with Jarecki.
He leaves on a trip, purportedly for Madrid.
Are you fucking kidding me?
says the cameraman, speaking for many of us watching at home.
Of course, the team discovers that Durst is not even in Spain.
Hes in Los Angeles.
He makes dates to speak with Jarecki and cancels them.
It looks like the final interview may never happen.
Remember Sargeant Cody Cazalas?
He told you hours and hours of footage ago: This man cannot be trusted.
The team gets word that Durst was arrested in New York.
The teams prepares for the final interview, plots strategy, acknowledging that Durst is a smart fucker.
At least theyre no longer underestimating him.
On the morning of the final interview, Jarecki admits to being nervous.
For years Ive been saying to people, Im not afraid of him.
Jarecki shows Durst his evidence.
… Definitely wrote this but I definitely did not write that.
He sounds neither angry nor defensive, just tired.
He looks tired, too, like he is overdue for an appointment with his plastic surgeon.
Jarecki presses him gently to no avail.
Durst looks and looks, searching for an answer.
At last, he says, No.
Just as he did once before when he was miked, he continues talkingto himself out loudin the bathroom.
He tells himself, still sounding calm, Youre caught.
… What the hell did I do?
And then, at last, without emotion, Killed them all, of course.
The filmmakers give Durst the courtesy of the last word.
