Welcome to the Weekend Binge. Every Friday, we’ll suggest a binge-able title designed to keep you from getting too stir crazy. Check back throughout the weekend for even more gloriously queer entertainment.
The Rabbit Hole: Killer Inside – The Mind of Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez loved making headlines, though he probably didn’t intend to make as many as he did. As a player in the NFL, his good looks and aggressive style on the field made him a darling of the sports world. Then, in 2013, he incited shock for his arrest for the murder of Odin Lloyd, allegedly as part of a drug deal gone bad. During Hernandez’s trial for the murder of Lloyd, prosecutors indicted him for the murder of two other men in 2012. Rumors began to circulate that Hernandez was either bisexual or a closeted gay man and had several prison lovers. Then, he shocked the world again by committing suicide in 2013.
Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez recaps the life and career of its eponymous figure, and offers a disturbing look into his decaying psychology. Featuring interviews with teammates, childhood friends, relatives and even his lawyers, the Netflix series addresses the rumors about Hernandez’s sexuality definitively. It also offers at least anecdotal evidence that a combination of toxic masculinity, homophobia, insecurity and brain damage made a possible sports star into a violent time bomb. Yet beyond the tabloid fascination, beyond the courtroom detail, Killer Inside features a moment of unexpected tenderness: an admission of a son’s queer identity to his father, and a father’s emotional apology for his unwitting creation of a homophobic environment. In a story of despair, it gives us hope.
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Streams on Netflix.
Donston
Aaron’s problems were numerous. He was apparently molested as a kid and had a homophobic father who beat out all his “fem instincts”. So, the disfunction started pretty early. Childhood traumas, hetero pressures, gay insecurities, toxic masculinity, mental health struggles, brain damage, money and fame all combined to make a fairly f-ed up person. And he had no one in his life to help him in any real way.
vinnieboiblue
Don’t forget his CTE condition comes into play. It is no excuse but the violent acts of killing does point in that direction. Having a homophobe for a father fed into his secretive romances before prison and during. He only killed himself for 2 reasons:
1) Life in prison is not something to look forward to. 2) His daughter with his fianc’e. By killing himself, his money cannot be touched except for his daughter’s future.
Donston
I think it’s fairly obvious by this point that the brain damage is what ultimately did him in. Whatever internal and external struggles he had were exacerbated.
Cam
Bigotry and hate do so much damage to people.
Donston
You really think all “queer issues” whittle down to coming out, adhering to some identity and to fighting bigotry. A lot of people’s struggles and circumstances are far more individual, nuanced and/or twisted than that. You either don’t get that or don’t care.
Troysky
@Donston I do not believe that Cam’s comment was intended to be a comprehensive answer. Strange that you seemed to have gotten quickly offended believing that it was. ….I could be wrong.
Cam
@Donston
So your derangement syndrome and obsession with me has advanced to the point that my comment on how bigotry and hatred are damaging and wrong enraged you and caused you to apparently argue AGAINST that statement.
Take a step back, review your bagged and rethink.
CurtisIsTheOne
Donston, I really expect MORE from you than a knee jerk reaction to a rather innocuous, although pointed and poignant, comment from CAM. Don’t automatically go there. You’re better than that.
8millionandcounting
I see the expert on everything Donston has given us his official findings. You may now Close the Comments.
Tombear
Some of you ladies are bitches. It’s not that big of a deal.Life is way to short!
TabooSonDad
I know this is really shallow and inappropriate, but I always had a crush on Aaron… that bulge, that face, those tats, that alpha attitude. I’m sorry for him about what ultimately happened to him but I would have paid for the chance to lay back and spread my legs for him, and more!
dannyr58
I’m glad this article about Aaron Hernandez came up here. I followed his case from the beginning, watching every tv news program and reading everything I could find online. Finally after so much investigative story, I only wanted one answer – “Why did he do it?” I even read James Patterson’s book “All American Murder.” I wasted my time reading Patterson’s book. You guys here gave me more insight into the true story. (By the way, I will NEVER buy or read another James Patterson book. He wrote “All American Murder” just for the money.)