'Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story' Episode 4: Slater delivers Dan's cold and calculated personality jarringly well
Spoiler for 'Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story'
Episode 4 of 'Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story' titled 'More To It Than Fun' took us behind the scenes of the Broderick marriage where a psychologist explained to the court each step of Betty's (Amanda Peet) breakdown. We were shown events that led to Betty's outbursts, from Dan's (Christian Slater) patronizing attitude to his relentless gaslighting. Dan calculated his every move to make sure that his wife was not only dependent on him but had nothing unless he said so. This series is based on a true story, (some events are exaggerated), and Christian Slater's portrayal of Dan Broderick is excellent. From the nonchalant attitude to the utter disrespect, Slater took us into the mind of a cold-hearted man who's after new shiny things, as life with his wife made him "miserable."
Slater delivered both roles — husband and boyfriend — very effectively, where you wonder how sociopaths as such get to walk the streets free? Armed with an MD and JD, Slater delivers Dan's confidence well, making viewers believe how easy people become victim to the charm that people like Dan possess. It's a disturbing episode and the trigger for mental health is a must, because of depression, anxiety, and gaslighting take the front seat, with Dan as the infidel and Betty as the victim. Slater's ability to deliver a loving husband yet an unfaithful one was impeccable. He's a disturbing character and that took skill to play out. It must be hard to have the pressure to bring to life a story that was a real tragedy, but Slater's Dan isn't someone you hate instantly. You feel for him, you understand his charm and his influence on Betty's mind, and from there you develop a bunch of reasons as to why he was shot by his ex-wife. His brainwashing over the course of umpteen months is just one example.
“It’s told over an eight-episode time period, so I think that helps to delve more deeply into who these people actually were,” Slater told Fortune. Saying they were seen as “almost fictional-type characters," Slater said, “You end up losing their humanity. But I think this show and what [showrunner] Alexandra Cunningham wanted to do was delve more deeply into what actually happened here between these two people.” Slater's chemistry with Betty is natural and effortless bringing to life the reality of what could have occurred with the real people in the story. Slater channeled Dan in a way where you see his humanity and appreciate his intelligence, yet you slam his inability to care and natural tendency to emotionally manipulate.
Slater spoke of Dan saying he was, “certainly power-hungry, certainly egotistical, very controlling. I think he felt that he’d built up such an impervious wall around himself through success, that it was impenetrable. Obviously, Betty continued to try to break down that wall — until she found the final solution." Dramatizing an intense case that shocked many people is a hard job but Slater's ability to assess the situation brings about great facial expressions, which invoke very strong emotions from the viewer and from his wife as well. From the scenes where he charms Linda to the scenes where he promises to protect his wife, Slater has the required skill to bring Dan's complicated personality to the forefront of this haunting tale.
'Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story' airs on Tuesdays at 10 pm ET on USA Network.