Crimetown: Difference between revisions

Season 1 of ''Crimetown'' focuses on organized crime and corruption in Providence, Rhode Island. It debuted in November 2016 and includes 18 episodes plus 4 bonus episodes.<ref name=projo26november2016/><ref name=crimetownepisodes/>

 

Unlike many other examples in the [[true crime]] genre, there is no single narrative, such as a particular crime, that runs through the show, but several recurring, interrelated characters and events connected to the [[Patriarca crime family]] and Providence Mayor [[Buddy Cianci]]. The shows relies on techniques of [[investigative journalism]] to supplement the drama with hard reporting on new details or little-known connections. ''[[The New York Times]]'' called it "less ''[[Law & Order]]'', more ''[[The Wire]]''," referencing two popular television series.<ref name=nytimes6december2016/> Most episodes focus on a particular character or story and draw connections to those in previous episodes, coming together to form a picture of crime and corruption in Providence in the late 20th century. Smerling and Stuart-Pontier talked about their interest in the "tree roots" in Providence shared by a wide range of people.<ref name=seattletimes5december2016/>

 

Though many of the episodes do not cover Cianci, his career and persona run through the show, paralleling the city's complicated relationships and contradictions arising from the interplay of good intentions and crime.<ref name=ringer/><ref name=globe11may2017/> According to ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', "everything in the series is built on duality and dichotomy, from the two hills that make up the city (one controlled by the mob, the other home to the WASP elite) to the mayor himself."<ref name=globe11may2017/> Cianci began his career as a prosecutor fighting against corruption and organized crime, ran for Mayor on an anti-[[Political corruption|corruption]] platform, got elected with help from organized crime, and last later convicted for corruption.<ref name=ringer/><ref name=projo24january2017/><ref name=seattletimes5december2016/>

 

* '''Dennis Aiken''', FBI special agent working on [[Operation Plunder Dome]], following Buddy Cianci.<ref name=projo12may2017/>

* '''Brian Andrews''', police detective who spent a large part of his law enforcement career pursuing thief Tony Fiore, whom Andrews credits with helping his career.<ref name=projo12may2017/><ref name=crimetownbonus1/>

* '''Bobby Walaston''', worked for Patriarca doing [[loan shark]]ing and running [[protection racket]]s. After being shot and nearly dying, he decided to leave organized crime. He has since sold a fitness product on the [[Home Shopping Network]] and started a moving and storage business.<ref name=crimetown9/>

 

The title song, used throughout the show, is "Run To Your Mama" by the Swedish band [[Goat (band)|Goat]].<ref name=crimetownabout/> Gimlet Media's Matthew Boll was sound designer and theme music was composed by Jon Ivans, with additional scoring by Edwin, Bienart, and John Kusiak.<ref name=crimetownabout/>