American Sports Story continues its exploration of Aaron Hernandez’s troubled life, this week focusing on the former NFL player’s declining mental state. “Odin,” the title of the episode, invokes the Norse god often associated with wisdom, war, and death—a potentially loaded combination given Hernandez’s trajectory.
The episode synopsis suggests that “tragic news” pushes Hernandez further into mental and emotional turmoil. How the show handles this sensitive subject will be crucial. Will it offer a nuanced portrayal of mental health struggles, or will it resort to sensationalism?
Adding another wrinkle to the narrative, Hernandez apparently seeks solace in a new friendship, described as “ill-fated.” This raises several questions. What kind of person would befriend a man facing such intense scrutiny? And how does this relationship influence Hernandez’s choices?
American Sports Story: Odin airs Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 10:00 pm on FX.