Controversy, online shaming and lawsuits: the ‘Baby Reindeer’ problem
Baby Reindeer. You’ve either devoured the Netflix hit already or have been warned to steer clear of it because it may be too triggering, but you’re aware of the show itself, and of its part confessional, part true-crime nature.
It's got everything a viewer could want: stalking, mental health issues, a deep dive into personal trauma. Comedian Richard Gadd created and starred in the show, baring his experience of being stalked and sexually assaulted with startling candour, making viewers squirm.
This show would be the feel-good hit of the summer if your idea of feeling good was to question the safety of your morning jog. I wrote about Baby Reindeer when it came out in April, and while I wasn’t entirely enamoured by the show, I recognised the impressiveness of Gadd’s confessional feat, and of the show’s craft — if not its writing.
Most of the narrative issues on the show, however, regarding the behaviour of the characters, etc, could be hidden behind the five words Netflix (now controversially) chose to preface our viewing with: ‘This is a true story.’ In a twist that now feels inevitable, the drama began after the end credits. Armchair detectives descended upon the character-specific details the show offered and chose to unmask the female stalker, named ‘Martha’ in the series, as well as the male television creator who had sexually assaulted Gadd.
The meticulousness with which these hobbyist investigators pore over social media profiles and public records is staggering, and more than slightly unnerving. This can actually be effective, as shown in the fascinating 2019 documentary Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer (Netflix) where cat-loving internet sleuths around the world stunningly tracked down a murderer
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