
Season 2 · Episode 7 · September 19, 2024
Showtime
Updated
- Season
- Season 2 — Menendez
- Episode
- Episode 7 of 9
- Premiere
- September 19, 2024
- Platform
- Netflix
- Rating
- TV-MA
- Part of
- Monster anthology
Watch
Real testimony footage side by side with Nicholas Alexander Chavez's performance — official feature.
The episode
The first trial becomes a production: cameras in the courtroom, autograph-seekers outside, and a defense coached for the stand. Leslie rehearsing Lyle until his testimony lands like theater is the episode's spine — and by her measure, it works.
The counter-programming is Dominick at dinner parties, dismantling the abuse narrative for a society audience, and Norma, the admirer faithfully recording Lyle's jailhouse calls. The season keeps asking who is performing for whom, and this episode is its clearest answer.
Show vs. the record
The first trial was televised, and it became a media event. Critics, Dunne among them, accused Abramson of coaching a performance. Real courtroom video of the brothers exists. This episode is not that video.
Jail calls, dinner-party arguments, and rehearsal scenes reconstruct a trial that was itself accused of being theater.
New to the season? Start with the Season 2 guide for the full picture, or the watch order to see how the anthology fits together.
Keep watching
Browse every guide on the seasons index or jump to the Season 4 hub for the newest chapter of the anthology.