Cleveland – Episode 3 begins with a man sitting on his couch staring mindlessly into a staticky TV set. His focus is soon interrupted by a knock at the front door. There are no words exchanged between the two, but their encounter slowly turns romantic. He eventually leads her behind what appears to be a changing partition. Their silhouettes give the impression that she is about to perform fellatio on him when bludgeons her to death.

In Pretoria, Micki Pistorius (Charlotte Hope) is enjoying a cigarette when her sister, Suzaan Pistorius (Zetske Van Pletzen), arrives with a bottle of wine and glasses. As they share a drink, their ensuing conversation reveals that Micki’s move into her sister’s guest room was much harder than she anticipated.

Seemingly the following day, Micki arrives at the South African Police Station where she spends several minutes admiring what appears to be a vast collection of killer memorabilia. Brigadier Petrus Brink (Albert Maritz) soon interrupts and after making introductions, he brings her up to speed on her new assignment. Micki is familiar with the Cleveland Mine Dump Case but appears shocked to learn that the authorities have 43 leads. She soon learns that it’ll be her job to comb through these suspects and point investigators in the right direction. He also tells her about a Neo-Nazi, Warren Barnes (Aidan-Jon Cullinan), who confessed to the crimes but recanted that confession. She’s being tasked with evaluating his mental state as well. Although Brink appears to believe in her work and asks what he can do to assist, he is unable to provide the specialized team of psychologists she requests. Instead, he gives her one additional investigator, Erika Bothes (Donna Cormack Thomson).

Micki encounters immediate resistance from Sergeant Nzimande (Sekoati Sk Tsubane) when she arrives at the killer’s latest dumpsite. He appears to only grow more optimistic about her usefulness as she explains who she is and what she’s there to do. Despite his best attempts, she eventually makes her way to the body where Detective Hennie (Bjorn Steinbach) informs them about the writing found on the victim’s thighs. (She is a beach. And we must stay here as long as you don’t understand.) Once they quickly debate the meaning, Micki’s attention is drawn to a nearby menstrual pad. Although Nzimande dismisses it as typical trash, Hennie orders Detective Charles Smuts (Leceur Viljoen) to bag it.

Returning to the station, Micki continues to work closely with Detective Hennie. Once she learns about the close proximity of the body dumps, she suspects that the killer is essentially marking his territory. Before they turn their attention to the note on the victim’s thighs, Hennie teases her about constantly checking her watch. This leads to her revealing her other interview with Warren Barnes. The more Micki learns about the inconsistencies of the evidence, the stronger she begins to believe in the possibility of multiple killers.

Warren spends several minutes going through what appears to be an elaborate prayer ritual. That and his chest tattoo indicate that he is a religious individual.

When the footage returns to Micki, she has narrowed the 43 suspects to 3 potentials, David Selepe (Anathi Rubela), Thato Sikwan, and Ernest Mapinga. Her brief background on the suspects is soon interrupted by a long-distance call from Robert Ressler (Sean Cameron Michael). She initially suspects the call to be an elaborate prank until he mentions the Norman Simon (Kagiso Kuypers) profile she faxed him. Their short conversation is nothing more than an introduction, with him praising and expressing an interest in her work.

Later that day, Micki meets Erika, who introduces herself as Captain Bothes. Erika doesn’t appear at all thrown to learn that they will be questioning Warren at the body dump site. Micki and Erika don’t get long to strategize before Warren and his escorts show up. Erika’s extensive file does reveal Warren’s traumatic childhood as well as his Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) insanity defense. Despite Micki’s gregarious approach, Warren remains tightlipped until his Diederick personality comes out. Diederick doesn’t appear to have a problem blabbing about killing Queen Bhuyeni (Maite Rakab). That is brought to a quick end when a frustrated outburst from Erika causes the Warren personality to reemerge. Ericka is in the middle apologizing for the slip when a phone call about a ninth victim comes in.

The mortician (Ronel Stander) provides the team with a brief introduction of 24-year-old, Lungi Biyela. Learning the victim was strangled by her own pantyhose leads, Micki to questioning why a lady would be so dressed up. Given that the murder took place on a Tuesday, church is ruled out. They eventually not only rule at employment as well, but Micki points out that a well-dressed woman wouldn’t get into the vehicle of a poorly dressed man, making David Selepe the likely perpetrator.

Micki spends the night on the couch watching old home recordings from her childhood (Alice Cunningham). Sensing something is off, Suzaane approaches her with the offer to talk but Micki remains tightlipped.

Micki has another run-in with Nzimande at the station the following morning when she learns that he’s heading a task force to arrest David Selepe. Micki tries to stress the inconsistencies in the case, but Nzimande doesn’t give the impression that he wants to hear it.

While Warren Barens is escorted to the courthouse for trial, David is arrested at one of Nzimande’s roadblocks after officers discover a female shoe in his trunk. As Micki gives her medical opinion that Warren is lying, David not only confesses to the 15 murders but claims he can provide indisputable evidence.

A short scene shows Sergeant Nzimande, along with a small team of detectives escorting David to a crime scene. He convinces them to not only remove his leg shackles but also his handcuffs, allowing him to attack Detective Frikkie (Sean Collard) and flee. He is killed by Nzimande in the process.

Micki is not at all happy when she learns about the killing, as she sees it as a wasted opportunity to get inside the mind of a killer.

 

With the case wrapped up, Micki tells Suzaane that she plans on staying in Pretoria until she’s called elsewhere. Despite that, it doesn’t appear that she plans on spending the time in Suzaane’s guest room. As Suzaan sees her off to her cab, she tries to assuage her sister’s feelings of failure by pointing out that sometimes the why isn’t the most important thing.

While Micki pays a visit to the morgue to look at David’s body, Warren attempts to counsel a young inmate (Jan Combrink) using the bible verse Luke 5:32.

The episode ends by revealing two months after David’s death, the body of a young black female was found 6 miles outside the city. According to reports, the murder had all the hallmarks to that of the Cleveland killer. As for Warren, he was convicted and sentenced to 90 years. Five years into that sentence, in 1999, he was acquitted thanks to the Appeals Court. He now spends his days as a pastor.

 

Catch Me A Killer Review

It’s hard not to appreciate or even admire this series’ attempts at realism/authenticity.  Of course, I can’t say that every aspect, story, or theory was/is right, but I do feel the series attempts to be as authentic as possible. At the very least, the episodes appear serious. Also, I feel the show succeeds at giving the viewer a look into the killer’s mind without getting too technical.

My only complaint with the episode would have been the scene with David’s murder. Is this how it really played out? If that’s the story the three detectives are telling, some serious inquiries need to be made. Other than that, I’d give the episode an easy 5.5 out of 10.

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