Entertainment TV Reviewsuktv

'People Versus OJ Simpson' Episode 2 Review: David Schwimmer's Angst, John Travolta's Face

Our 4 Favourite Things From 'People Versus OJ Simpson' Episode 2
Caroline Frost

'American Crime Story: The People Versus OJ Simpson' continued last night, with producers quite rightly opting to dedicate the whole episode to the bizarre circumstances of the football hero's flight in a white Bronco van, as television networks switched all their cameras over to the freeway, and 94 million US viewers tuned in to see the strange fate of an American legend.

READ MORE:

All The OJ Simpson Trial Big Players, And Their Variously Accurate Screen Counterparts

REVIEW: People Versus OJ Simpson Episode 1

That day was an extraordinary one, even viewed now through the prism of all the reality TV we've hoovered up ever since - a good-looking, charming sports star turned film actor and TV presenter, the embodiment of the American dream, being driven along the freeway, with a police escort simultaneously embarrassed by his slipping through their fingers and in awe of his status, making emotional phone calls, and holding a gun to his head. You could not make this up.

Open Image Modal

94 million US viewers tuned in to watch OJ's flight from justice, live on TV

It was another cracking episode, both in the real terms of the story it told, and our side-eye glance to the reality television it heralded, plus the performances continue to delight - namely David Schwimmer's permanently angst-ridden eyebrows, and John Travolta's... well, just John Travolta.

Among this feast of treasures, here are the four things that delighted us the most in Episode 2...

  • In his cracking analysis of website TMZ, New Yorker journalist Nicholas Schmidle quote author Leo Braudy who, in 1986, defined fame as “the interplay between the common and the unique in human nature". We had all of that on display in this triangulated showdown between sporting royalty, the police and the media, and we also had the treat of the luxury surrounding these very base characters - Robert Kardashian praying for OJ's soul, even while he was sitting on the edge of a peach-coloured jacuzzi, and the waxen Robert Shapiro desperately trying to cut a new deal with the DA, even as his client was fleeing, and even while his hand ran appreciatively along the marble edge of his gleaming, oversized kitchen. Are we envious of these people?
Open Image Modal

Robert Kardashian (David Schwimmer) addressed the media with the suicide note of his pal OJ

  • How the drama thoroughly captured the intensity of the day as the judicial system and media competed to get first to OJ, grabbing cameras, sifting through tips, clamouring for spots at opposing press conferences, then chasing him all along the 405 freeway, only for him to hand himself in at home. What a chaotic scramble it truly was! The only person not listening to the news updates? Robert Shapiro, opting instead for his default Kenny G-esque tunes on the car radio. Classy.

  • The brooding, brewing readiness of Johnny Cochran (Courtney B Vance) to get involved in the trial, watching coolly despairing as Robert Shapiro bumbled self-interestedly through his dealings with the media. Johnny knew he could better. And, as we know, he did.

  • Another sighting of the mini-Kardashaians, squealing with delight as their patriarch took his place at the centre of a larger-than-life drama. Who cared if Daddy was reading the suicide note of Uncle OJ to the assembled media, while the man himself continued to circle the city gun to head? Never mind all that, because daddy was on telly. And thus was the acorn sown.
    • OJ Simpson Trial: Real Life Vs Screen
    Johnny Cochran(01 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    The man who will always be celebrated for telling the OJ Simpson jury, 'If the gloves don't fit, you must acquit', Cochran was a famous defence attorney, who also represented Sean Combs (during his trial on gun and bribery charges), Michael Jackson, rapper Tupac Shakur, actor Todd Bridges, football player Jim Brown, rapper Snoop Dogg. He died in 2005.
    Courtney B Vance plays Johnny Cochran(02 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Kris Jenner (then with husband Bruce, now Caitlyn Jenner)(03 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Kris Jenner, then the best friend of Nicole Simpson, whose murder OJ stood accused, later the world's most famous mom-ager and matriarch of the tireless Kardashian clan.
    Selma Blair as Kris Jenner(04 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Robert Shapiro(05 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Shortly after this trial that made him famous, Shapiro steered his legal practice towards more civil litigation. In his notable career, he has represented famous athletes, including shamed baseball player Darryl Strawberry, José Canseco, and Vince Coleman, as well as other celebrities such as Johnny Carson, Christian Brando, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Linda Lovelace, and the Kardashians.
    John Travolta as Robert Shapiro(06 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Dominick Dunne (right)(07 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Journalist Dominick Dunne was commissioned by Vanity Fair to report on the trial for the magazine. His sympathy for the victim's family, inspired by the murder of his own daughter, was well-known and did much to keep a balanced view of trial by his readers, despite OJ's fame and popularity.
    Robert Morse as journalist Dominick Dunne(08 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Prosecutor Marcia Clark(09 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Clark became one of American's most famous litigators during the Simpson trial, where viewers analysed her every gesture and haircut. Despite losing the trial, she wrote a bestselling book and remains in demand as a pundit, journalist and TV personality.
    Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark(10 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Al Cowlings (right, with OJ Simpson)(11 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    A close friend and former teammate of OJ Simpson, Al Cowlings became infamous across America when an estimated 95million viewers tuned in to watch him drive his pal in the white Bronco down the highway, eventually arriving at Simpson's mansion where he turned himself in. Cowlings faced no charges, and never spoke to the media properly about the case.
    Malcolm Jamal Warner as Al Cowlings(12 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Robert Kardashian(13 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    An American businessman and attorney, Robert Kardashian did more than most to help his friend OJ, who stayed at his house following the murders of his ex-wife and her friend. Kardashian championed OJ's innocence and re-validated his legal licence to join OJ's defence team. Despite all this, he later voiced his doubts about his pal's innocence, saying the blood evidence was his biggest obstacle. He died of cancer in 2003.
    David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian(14 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Mark Fuhrman(15 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    One of the investigating police officers in the case, Mark Fuhrman's testimony became notorious once the defence team argued that he had planted evidence against OJ Simpson, based on racial motivation. Fuhrman was later convicted of perjury and is retired from the police. He is an author and commentator.
    Steven Pasquale as Mark Fuhrman(16 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    OJ Simpson(17 of18)
    Open Image Modal
    Despite his acquittal, OJ Simpson's life as an American hero came to an end with the trial for the murder of his ex-wife and her friend. He later lost a civil suit for their deaths, but paid little compensation. In 2007, he was arrested in Las Vegas, charged with felonies including robbery and kidnapping, and convicted the following year. He is serving his sentence of 33 years at a Nevada prison.
    Cuba Gooding Jr as OJ Simpson(18 of18)
    Open Image Modal

    LIKE US ON FACEBOOK | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

    Suggest a correction
    |
    Submit a tip