Entertainment

How To Keep Up With 'Making A Murderer' Updates

by Caitlin Flynn

If you returned from the holiday break only to be inundated with office chatter and theorizing about Netflix's docuseries Making a Murderer, you're not alone. Many of your friends likely marathoned the series in record time, only taking short breaks to sleep, eat, or see if any interesting new theories had popped up on Reddit since they last checked. But, if you're not a Netflix subscriber, you're probably a) feeling a little left out and b) wondering where to watch Making a Murderer without Netflix.

At this time, the entire 10-episode series is solely available on Netflix. But, the entire first episode can be watched on YouTube — and you'll probably be hooked once you've viewed the premiere. (Yes, it's as addictive as everyone says.) So, after that initial episode it's probably best to invite yourself over to a good friend's house (one who subscribes to Netflix, of course) for a slumber party aka Making a Murderer marathon. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Like Serial and The Jinx, the series has brought the case into the national spotlight and sparked dialogue and action from viewers — so, in many ways, this is still a developing story. As viewers saw in the finale [spoiler alert], both Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey have exhausted their appeals — but both men and their families are still clinging to hope that newly discovered evidence could ultimately exonerate them of Teresa Halbach's murder conviction. And, Dassey's case may be reviewed by a federal judge, which could potentially lead to a new trial. Meanwhile, new theories are springing up all over the web and petitions to free both men have garnered thousands of signatures.

So, if you can't get enough after watching all 10 episodes, there are plenty of places to go for more information and the latest developments in the case. For example, check out Reddit's Making a Murderer page. It's updated constantly and anytime there's breaking news in the case, you can be sure it'll appear in a thread almost instantly. Viewer theories are also abound on the page, as well as thoughtful conversation and debate about all aspects of the case.

There are also three major petitions online calling for a review of the case at WhiteHouse.gov, Change.org, and iPetitions.com. Since this is a state case, not a federal one, Obama doesn't have the power to pardon Avery as people have requested. The iPetitions page, which requests that the Wisconsin Supreme Court review both cases, is likely the most realistic option for those who believe Avery and Dassey are innocent as they claim to be.

And, although Jerome Buting and Dean Strang are no longer Avery's attorneys, they're still in touch with their former client and remain invested in the case. Jerome Buting posts frequent updates on his Twitter page and both Making a Murderer filmmakers, Moira Demos and Laura Ricciardi, have also been active on the social media site. So, it definitely seems like Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey's stories are far from over.

And, if you haven't watched yet — what are you waiting for? Here's the full first episode:

Image: Netflix