I personally like the mini-series-format very much, because it is what in a sense resembles more what a movie is. In other words, in such series the events flow naturally in the development of a single plot, developed episode after episode without worrying about setting up a sequel (or a season 2). The Night Of is a long movie in eight chapters, each one of which is almost self-consistent and has its own messages. The result is a complete immersion both in the plot and in the single details of the single scenes.
The most powerful message (the one that hit me harder) is encoded in the detention of the protagonist, Nasir (Naz). In the very first episode, we see this young man taking a bad decision after the other, finding himself in a horrifying situation and let the panic take control of his actions. In other words, we see an ordinary person becoming the only suspect for the murder of a young woman. The narration is structured to make the viewer know many useful details and thus lead us to believe in his innocence, regardless the fact that we can't be 100% sure.
Since then, the show mainly focuses on the transformation that Naz experiences in jail waiting for his trial. From the hostile environment that is trying to kill him, he modifies his aspect and his behavior to survive the prison. With the investigation running in the background, we become aware of details of Nasir's private life. Therefore, episode after episode, the most appropriate word to describe this process is not transformation, but rather revelation.
The brutal environment that is a prison is bringing out a hidden side of the protagonist, forced to survive to let his violent side take over and then stuck in what is, by all means, his new life. There is a moment when one may experience the emergent of a doubt: if this is his true self, maybe he did it.
Another striking message is surely hidden in the actions of the cops and it is about how the system works. In every book, movie and TV show, we see the detective saying something that bothers me every time: give up to your right of remain silent because it looks bad during the trial otherwise. In The Night Of we see again this dynamic leading to something very close to a self-incrimination.
Don't get me wrong, the detective does everything within the boundaries of the law and Naz speaks freely with him, for the standards we got used to seeing in other situations. However, a choice given under the threat of a harder trial (if you don't speak the jury will think you are guilty) is not a choice, it is a kind of abuse. An abuse that leads to a very lousy and superficial investigating job that would have been infuriating even without ruining an innocent young man's life.
The message is thus a reminder that the system, intended as the set of rules and rights that a suspect has, exists to protect the suspects. Justice is all about the protection of the innocents and the show describes very accurately what happens if we let even the smallest injustice happen. In those fake choices, in an investigation blinded by the overwhelming presence of circumstantial evidence, and, most of all, in the transformation of Naz in prison we see a lucid representation of one of the most inhumane plagues of the modern world.
Since the next thing I want to say can be considered a spoiler, I give the opportunity of stopping here and go watch this superb show. For other considerations on the same theme, I self-promote my review of Orange Is The New Black S4. After the picture the last thoughts on this show (with a spoiler).
A bulky presence in the show is the eczema (or generically the skin condition) of the character interpreted by John Turturro. I have to confess that for 7 episodes and 50 minutes I thought it was a tool to make the viewer feel and sympathize with the poor lawyer seeking justice for his client and redemption for himself. Then a little piece of dialogue hit me with power. Both being a murder suspect and having that skin condition is keeping people away from the two characters. Naz was not found guilty and the skin condition is not contagious, but both characters will have their cross to bear for the rest of their lives. For both situations, we see how society is incapable of finding a way to deal with them, or a solution to cure such problem. It could be me overthinking it, but I found this parallelism brilliant.
In conclusion, a show very well executed, with a clean narration, great acting, and powerful messages. Seeing two young lives either terminated or ruined forever, a family broke in its economy and its personal relationships, a good man doing something extraordinary and coming back to the shitty life of a cheap lawyer left me with a deep feeling of emptiness. That is, after all, the reason why I write reviews after the shows are over. Like a junkie.
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