reviewed: Serial
Serial is just…better than everyone at this
First, no offense to Hamza and Brian, but one of my favorite things about the narrative in every season of Serial is I can hear Sarah saying every line (whether it’s her or not). Second, where other podcasts — lazily and in droves — fall back on the podcast format as an excuse to shirk research, this podcast thrives on the format, creating more stories, fascination, accountability. Third, I say cautiously that The Trojan Horse Affair may be my favorite of the series…integrating Brian and Hamza’s friendship into the thematic whole - just awesome. So many others don’t even understand the format, let alone play it like strings on a guitar!
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Bravo
As someone who practiced journalism and walked away from it in despair at what it’s become, I found the Trojan Horse Affair revivifying and heartbreaking at once. Your work shows brilliantly and honestly both how important investigative journalism remains to the functioning of democracy and how impotent it has become in the face of deeply embedded racism and corruption. I particularly loved how transparently you dealt with the issue of “objectivity” — a loaded and culturally relative term which should have been interrogated and abandoned in the US journalistic sphere long ago. Brian’s pique at the apparent violation of objectivity on the part of Hamza was profoundly revealing. I’m so glad you included that in the series. I also loved how there is no gotcha at the end. That opaque and inconclusive conclusion is exactly the right note to hit when reporting on systemic racism.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
The first season
I enjoyed the first season, but I couldn’t get into any of the rest.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Extremely Consumable
I just finished the Trojan Horse Series. This satisfied a deep addictive personality need for me while listening, and even though the ending doesn’t scratch my neat-ending-itch I was still satisfied nonetheless. For the curious and the forever student.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Vocal Fry
I must be getting old because I can’t concentrate on what is being said. I’ve enjoyed the past seasons so I may try again.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
The struggle resonates with me
I wish this didn’t end the way it did. Had me all the way up until the end. It’s almost felt like they ran out of funding.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Familiar
Just finished this series. Through the entire wild ride, I couldn’t help but think that the accusations being leveled against the Muslim school staff of plotting to infiltrate and then hold students captive to their world view actually mirrored what is, in fact, the stated goal of conservative, evangelical Christians in parts of our country. The obfuscation and political whitewashing of that movement is equally maddening to me.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Amazing
I have been looking for a good true crime podcast and this is just one of my favorite podcast yet! I’m only on the second episode and I’m already in love with it💖
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Improvement Association
I would have loved to have this presented with a voice from which one couldn’t decipher the reporters own political stance. The difference between commentary vs unbiased reporting is made clear. If you’re interested in an opinion piece, subscribe here!
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Not so much
Honestly, I was so excited for this podcast. Serial and S Town were 2 of my favorites. I kept waiting for this to get good. A friend bagged it after 2 episodes and I wish I had. The story is important to tell but the hype of this podcast was way too much for what it delivered. I hate to say this because I know they worked hard, but I feel like I have to save other people from using their time to listen to this waiting for it to get really exciting.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Dissapointed
Please go back to stories like season 1 and 2. This Trojan Horse season is sooo bad. :(
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Bergdahl
Hey Sarah, my wife and I are both military public affairs officers and during a recent road trip, we listened to your series about Bowe Bergdahl. As PAOs, we have both worked with journalists from every media outlet in the 3-letter alphabet, as well as pretty much every top print outlet there is. And we both served in the Centcom PA office. To say we were both impressed with the depth, breadth and fairness of your series is truly an understatement. I know it’s on older series, but wow. You did an amazing job telling this story. Well done!
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Amazing
Serial is Simply Amazing! Sarah Koenig is wonderful in every way, smart, articulate, thoughtful, inquisitive, and has amazing people helping her make it all work. Start listening and you won’t be able to stop.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Adore it, miss Sarah
I loved every season so far and I’m already looking forward to the next one!I have been missing Sarah on a lot of these — I loved the first seasons because I found her to be so great. I still like the show and the other hosts, but I’d really love to see Sarah back on again
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Heading downhill
Wowza. I loved season 1. Season was okay, but not my favorite. This current season is frustrating. It’s hard to keep an open mind to hearing both sides when the reporters are clearly so biased and are actually yelling at the interview subjects who don’t agree with them. Disappointing for what was such a great show in the beginning.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
So disappointed in Serial
Yet another podcast about local power and identity politics from Serial? Sarah Koenig and company are a one trick pony. Disappointed to be getting just another stale variation of the same story from Serial in which the same tired themes are discussed, and I don’t care about the subjects/characters. Adnan Syed’s, Bo Bergdahl’s story, and even (because let’s be honest, it was a Serial podcast) John McLemore were unique people with unique stories, that I cared about - and yes, all three had a political angle, but it wasn’t the sole focus, it was a backdrop. Nice white parents? The Cleveland court system? The one about North Carolina? This new one? I wasn’t invested and found them utterly forgettable. Characters, intrigue, and a focus that is not entirely about social justice issues - that’s what I want. Focusing on institutions at the expense of plot is not a recipe for success.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: Serial
Everything I Hate About Journalism Today
Wow. Just blatantly putting it out there now that you don’t need to be just report on the facts if you are at all being hurt by the information in some way. Just wow. At least you are up front about it?? This is a complex issue and it would be nice if it was treated as such, showing the many sides and complexities. It’s unfortunate this podcast took this turn.
Reviewed on Apple Podcasts