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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 11, 2014 12:32:51 GMT -5
OK, saw the episode finally. And The Hunt needs to stop making me cry.  It's doing it's job in that regards as Sid Wells murder case got to me as did William Angel's last week (and I'm pretty sure William's segment would have got to me even without the personal aspect to our forum). As much of an advocate as I am and as angry or sickened AMW cases got me, in recent years, I only remember Chuy Canales and Janet & Ramon Barreto getting me to actually break down. That was over a span of years. Maybe I'm getting soft. I felt so bad for the Smika family- you can see the pain so openly- the pain they've had to live with for over 30 years that only people like John Walsh know. And only Walsh among others can relate to how the justice system is sometimes the injustice system. In my opinion, there was enough circumstantial evidence to prosecute Smika from the get-go. In my opinion, the DA should have faced criminal charges or been disbarred for striking that deal. Rick McLean's segment was decent and interestingly enough this was The Hunt's first two-segment case. I'm so torn over this less fugitives thing now. On one hand, The Hunt may be a better quality show than AMW in recent years (taking nothing away from the year on Lifetime which I thought was an improvement from the ending run on Fox), because they go in-depth. But they also will have far less captures or chances at a capture as a result. Because Shane Miller was just coincidence, technically they are 1-for-8 on fugitives so far (in fairness McLean and Smika were aired last night). McLean proved they can do a shortened case. It'll be interesting to see what they do in season 2. In my opinion, it is possible to do three separate two-segment cases and increase the odds at a capture. In my opinion, the way this episode was done was the way the Shane Miller episode should have been done. Lengthy but enough room for just one more fugitive. Miller was a terrible fugitive, but I just felt like there was too much build-up in that episode in what has otherwise been an excellent season. (Just in case any powers that be read this, we're a fan site but we love the show. But the same way nerds dissect comic book movies, we dissect fugitive TV cases and shows. We used to post the same way about AMW back when it was on the air and had an official forum message board. (not calling you guys nerds, fellow forum members ) So apologies if I or other members come across too critical at times as I and we do love the show overall and I personally think The Hunt is currently the most important show on television. ) |
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Post by HeadMarshal on Aug 11, 2014 17:06:15 GMT -5
I don't know if I've ever suggested this before, but I had a thought for the Second Season of The Hunt (hopefully we get one ). Why not the first episode be a one-hour 50/50 fugitives special, more similarity to the 2008 version than the 2011 ones. They could just have the investigators in some of the cases speak for around 2-4 minutes each and John Walsh narrate the 5 to 10-second mentions for most of the remaining fugitives. The reason I suggest this is that John Walsh seemed very interested in these 50/50 specials since there were two of them in 2011 and the 2000 and 2008 ones were so successful in capturing fugitives. |
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 11, 2014 17:51:12 GMT -5
Not sure if CNN would have the room to put 50 fugitives on their website- that's also part of the problem. It's a catch-22 because the show is more focused than AMW with less cases but there are tons of guys that need to be caught as well and so many families need a court of last resort. Perhaps every once in a blue-moon they do a special "fast-paced" episode with a ton of guys are terrible people but don't need longer segments to help up the capture rate (They're not showing them for the sake of showing them, they're menaces to society that need to be caught but they wouldn't warrant a half-hour narration like the cases picked this season). In other words, if the season is 8 episodes, 7 of those episodes can be one or two guys but leave one episode for a special 50/50 or multiple-fugitive themed episode. Two-hour specials could also be in order to help alleviate this problem. Just a few suggestions to help with this better show overall, but less chances at captures problem. |
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 11, 2014 17:53:06 GMT -5
I should also note though the reruns are hugely important now on CNN than even Lifetime maybe. Those do help increase the chances as well so at least we have that. I forgot to take the reruns into account as it does give The Hunt an excuse to take more chances as the episodes will be repeated often |
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 13, 2014 10:34:12 GMT -5
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 17, 2014 16:07:52 GMT -5
Looking forward to tonight's show. Although I am weary with it being a one-fugitive show. I hope I don't see too much unnecessary build-up and/or filler. It does look like an interesting case right now. Anyway, remember when I innocently asked what if the Hunt's first direct capture was a death and suggested finding Shane Miller's body as an example. And it turned out the Hunt's first direct capture was a death albeit not Miller, and it turned out Miller's body would be found despite it not being a direct capture? And remember when I guaranteed Mozdir or Stoeser would be a direct capture? (Granted I said they would be captured the same week as their new episode but still  Well, I'm ready for another bold prediction this week to go three in a row: I GUARANTEE The Hunt will get their second direct capture this week. It's been a few weeks and I feel like they're due. I'm not predicting Balesteros as I know he won't be easy, but I have a good feeling either he or one of the previously aired cases will go down in a few days or less! |
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 17, 2014 20:11:51 GMT -5
Anyone else notice John Walsh isn't live tweeting tonight? Didn't update his Facbook either. Does he have a cold or something? |
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 17, 2014 21:09:27 GMT -5
Thoughts on the episode? I'm going to be honest, as touching as it was, I thought it could have been cut down slightly shorter- the same way they did too much build-up with Shane Miller and too much explaining with Project 7 and Dave Burgert, they did a lot of build-up here and unnecessary explaining about the Coyotes (I think the public gets the general gist of it) here as well. The best part of the episode- in my opinion- was the tribute to all 11 victims at the end. It put on a human touch and reminded us all these were 11 human beings. Even though I felt it was an uneven episode- it was heartbreaking in parts and I'm sure caused a few people to reach for their tissue box afterwards. (I didn't cry like the past two weeks- but I was very somber and touched by the ending).
Also, according to Bayron Acevedo's brother, Guillermo Madrigal Ballesteros told him he didn't care when he told him how cold-hearted he was in the phone conversation. What angers me even more than wondering what those poor souls went through- was the fact that while some fugitives might regret their actions- I am certain that Ballesteros has absolutely no remorse whatsoever. That is why he needs to be caught.
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Post by HeadMarshal on Aug 17, 2014 21:22:40 GMT -5
Maybe I took this episode too emotionally, but I felt this was the best episode done so far. They took the extreme severity of the crime, and detailed the journey of which the immigrants took to their death, and I didn't get bored or thought there was much filler (just my opinion). The memorial and the listing of the photos of the victims at the end showed how seriously the producers took this case, and I give them full respect for doing that.
My biggest concern is the probable reaction to the overall pro-illegal immigration stance given by Walsh during the episode. He is certainly allowed to express his opinions on this show, but there are going to be a lot of people who will hate Walsh for having that stance. My comment is this, I'm usually not a fan of illegal immigration into the US from Latin America but these were 11 human beings who died an extremely horrible death. Being anti-illegal immigration in the episode would have been a disrespect to the victims, and I hope people realize that. Sadly some people will complain and have a hissyfit but that's just life sadly.
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 17, 2014 21:37:15 GMT -5
Hey I still enjoyed the episode, I just felt it was a tad slow and uneven. I should also add I realize I've never done a tv show before and it's easy for me to criticize, albeit this was meant as constructive feedback. The same way we used to critique AMW I do keep in mind these people are pros and I've never done one show. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what they do. I'm just speaking from a fan perspective. Most people seem to agree you more than me on social media though Aside from one whiner complaining about them being illegals, everyone using the #jointhehunt hashtag on social media is saying the episode left them in tears. I've been in a weird mood today so maybe I'll like it better when I re-watch it. Judging from social media reaction, this case seems to have gotten the most emotional reaction (Mostly good thankfully) out of the viewers so far this season. Also, I don't approve of the way the Denison 11 tried to enter the United States, but there is NO EXCUSE for what happened to them. The same way Sid Wells didn't deserve to get murdered despite the show talking about him selling drugs, the same way these people didn't deserve to die in such horrible conditions. I will never condone a human being causing another human being the loss of life except in self-defense, regardless of who they are. |
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Post by charliesetten on Aug 19, 2014 18:37:59 GMT -5
I missed the episode on Sunday... Has it been posted online anywhere?
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 19, 2014 20:18:56 GMT -5
Unfortunately episode not online yet. I will post it here if it winds up on YouTube or whatever like I did with Chris Ponce and Thayne Smika/Rick Mclean. Assuming no breaking news ruins it, the Ballesteros episode will likely be repeated next week at 8 pm and 11 pm eastern if worse comes to worse.
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 23, 2014 11:21:47 GMT -5
Although I can't guarantee breaking news won't interrupt it, there is a mini-Hunt marathon tonight at 8 PM EST on CNN. John Walsh profiling fugitives on Saturday nights, just like the old Fox days!
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 24, 2014 8:01:08 GMT -5
The breaking news events had somewhat died down recently. So yesterday I was thinking ok good, now hopefully The Hunt can air both the new episode and the reruns to increase the capture odds without worry tonight. Now there's a 6.1 magnitude Earthquake in California! Damn you breaking news! Stop happening during The Hunt's first season! I hope they show the full schedule tonight.
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Post by Scumhunter on Aug 24, 2014 11:35:59 GMT -5
I finally got a prediction wrong. (In regards to predicting a direct capture last week) But maybe it's because I was off by a week like when I predicted Mozdir or Stoeser! |
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It's doing it's job in that regards as Sid Wells murder case got to me as did William Angel's last week (and I'm pretty sure William's segment would have got to me even without the personal aspect to our forum). As much of an advocate as I am and as angry or sickened AMW cases got me, in recent years, I only remember Chuy Canales and Janet & Ramon Barreto getting me to actually break down. That was over a span of years. Maybe I'm getting soft. 
Well, I'm ready for another bold prediction this week to go three in a row: I GUARANTEE The Hunt will get their second direct capture this week. It's been a few weeks and I feel like they're due. I'm not predicting Balesteros as I know he won't be easy, but I have a good feeling either he or one of the previously aired cases will go down in a few days or less!
