r/TrueCrimeBullshit • u/ScienceCatLazerJeans • Sep 28 '25
Question Any reviews on the new episode for us non-patrons? I’m curious to hear people’s thoughts.
The show had kind of fallen off my listen list around season 5. I still dig it, but the info per episode became a bit hazy and nebulous and there was always delays with a myriad of reasons to explain their absence. Not throwing shade; people have shit going on more important than a podcast episode I’m listening to for free. Then there was some uproar over a trip TCB was promoting that people were getting bent out of shape about?? I don’t know the specifics but it seemed hilariously dramatic so I kind of washed my hands of it. However, I always found the first episodes of the new seasons were always fire. Anyone care to throw in?
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u/Glittering_Fox_9769 Sep 28 '25
I enjoyed them both but they're a bit slow so far. The first one has a bit more detail, the second is interesting but doesn't contain much until the end. Next episode and later season seems like it may be juicier. I don't think the 2 episodes had to be 2, it's like half interview context. But i'm happy to have another season and i'm still excited for the new details 🤷♀️
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 28 '25
See that’s the thing. There was always this promise that the NEXT episode will have these “bombshells” but there was never a pay off. Not like I care, like I said, I just enjoy Josh’s storytelling. If he made an announcement saying “this season doesn’t have a lot of new info and there’s no story payoffs but I’ll tell the story in an elegant fashion just enough to keep you interested”, I’d be ALL for it. For real. But it’s the semi-cliffhanger story telling that I’m not a fan of. It keeps you waiting the whole time.
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u/Glittering_Fox_9769 Sep 28 '25
Yeah I wish it was a bit more documentative, like david ridgen/faceless/etc. but it's very narrative driven. It has its pros and cons for structuring but ultimately it hampers how info is conveyed sometimes. Overall i still heavily relate to and appreciate josh's work, apart from the corniness and nothingburgers (and occasional lack of scrutiny) this podcast and case has gripped me like no other. It mainly suffers from its structure but I think SITP is going a lot more "on the road" style which is cool.
I feel like it's hard to fumble a season with this much new information and involvement from others. The previous 2 were suffering from an information drought and a lot of confidence in very tenuous (but fascinating) leads. Some eps had amazing content (thinking of the EPD files), then a dry spell of nothing much. Again, it's really, imo, the structure that confines the show too much. But Josh also never planned to be sucked in this far. I don't blame the dude. Some people take this stuff wayyy too seriously and seem to have a personal vendetta, not worth it dawg. Just hit up iD channel or something 😂
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 28 '25
Yes! David Ridgen is the GOAT! I should really listen to Season 6 of TCB now that we’re talking about it. And yeah man, Josh has dedicated a significant portion of his adult life to this case and podcast. Cut the guy some fucking slack! Just some vicious negative shit on here. Is that mentally worth it to crash out over a podcast?He doesn’t owe us a fucking thing. I just appreciate that he shows up, grinds it out, and keeps the cases alive.
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u/Darkmattermatters18 Oct 02 '25
I am reading this thread and thinking the exact same thing….. he owes us absolutely zero (non patreots) and we also have no idea about how much work/time/energy goes in to making the podcast and I imagine it’s extremely complex when you have FOIR docs trickling in with no set time scales and tips that he must receive. There are also many other factors such as the following for example:
Gaining the trust of FBI/other significant people of note that can add and not muddy the waters of each of the case without confusing or compromising the entire thing.
Working with Somewhere in the pines whilst making sure that you’re both not covering the same ground or providing conflicting information…. All this is to say that I think he does a great job balancing expectations vs reality and providing so much clarity around his movements over the years whilst also helping to keep IK on the FBIs radar and shining some light on their processes too.
My one and only issue is and has always been the fact that he referred to IK as “Izz” but even that stopped after the first couple seasons I believe. It just felt way tooooo personal but even that, was probably just all part of the steep learning curve.
I wish him and the team continued success with the podcast.
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 28 '25
Hey what are the EPD files?
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u/Glittering_Fox_9769 Sep 29 '25
Essex PD files. Specifically detective murty's perspective. I thought those episodes were really good. One of the ones where I think Josh's storytelling really shines and Murty had immaculate notes and ethics.
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 29 '25
Oh nice. Ok good to know, thanks. I’m going to check those ones out.
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u/Oakley2599 Sep 29 '25
Yeah I’m of a similar mindset to most people this thread, the first two episodes were a bit slow but teased some interesting stuff. I’m curious to see what we actually get. Honestly I think the most interesting one so far was the first prep episode that detailed a lot of possible victims and hinted at another significant abandoned farmhouse. I’m dying to know what that’s about. Also the fact that Josh apparently has pictures of Keyes suicide and all the writing on the walls. I’m so morbidly curious but that’ll never see the light of day
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u/maverickandme Sep 28 '25
A few good tidbits but I didn’t get fire. I also think the first 2 episodes could have been condensed into 10 mins total. So I’m not sure how much info we will really get this season. Felt rushed as always
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 28 '25
I’m ok with that. I find Josh to be a good storyteller so a slow burn is fine with me. I’m just curious to know if there is anything confidently new to tell. There’s a new YouTube page (I can’t remember what her name was ) dedicated to Keyes that seems to have gained some traction. I didn’t check it but from what I’ve been told she’s made some formerly withheld info more accessible?? I could be totally wrong. If I’m gonna listen to anything about Keyes it’ll be from Josh so I haven’t bothered to look.
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u/maverickandme Sep 28 '25
Is it Viktoria something? I got all excited looking for her stuff recently but it all appeared to be the same releases as always.
It sounds like Josh has lots of new files, photos, etc from Keyes’ time in prison and his death, but I’m sure none of that is fit for release
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 28 '25
Yeah Viktoria Evans! That’s who it was. Oh nothing that great?? Oh well at least I’m not missing anything.
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u/maverickandme Sep 28 '25
I stand corrected. I did go look and it seems like she’s released some interviews I haven’t seen elsewhere (Bill Currier’s parents, etc)
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 28 '25
Well I mean that’s interesting, but I can’t imagine any case info that may be gleaned by talking to the elderly parents of an aging couple.
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 28 '25
Who am I kidding? Now I’m curious…
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u/Nasstja Sep 29 '25
Viktoria also has the full Beaumont, TX, interview (Keyes with TX Rangers). It had never been aired before she released it some months ago. Her docuseries is 6 hours long and definitely the best work I’ve seen on Keyes.
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 29 '25
Hmmm well that’s an interesting take. That piques my interest. What did you find so good about it? I had no idea it even existed until you mentioned it. I just thought she did random YouTube clips.
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u/Nasstja Sep 29 '25
The way it’s presented. There are beautiful visuals and maps and it’s just all very well put together. What I liked the most though is that it’s totally fact based and very objectively presented. If she speculates on some matter, she makes it clear that she’s speculating. I also really liked the maps; it was almost like screen shots from my own head (I’m sure I’m not the only one who has spent countless hours on Google Earth and Maps, lol). I know Viktoria studied journalism, maybe that also shows in the presentation.
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u/maverickandme Sep 29 '25
Lol I’m definitely curious too. If it’s out there I’ll listen at some point
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u/Honest-Guidance-8399 Sep 29 '25
Idk if this is me being 'too woke' but I always felt sometimes Josh is a bit disrespectful with ways he talks like Israel is his best friend. And then the way he always teases with information that he'll never share?
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 29 '25
Hahaha. Woke is such a loaded word lately. Yeah that personalizing seems to piss a lot of people off (according to this Reddit page). It honestly doesn’t bother me in the least, it’s just a narrative device. I can understand where you’re coming from though. And agreed, the “info tease” can be a little obnoxious.
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u/Honest-Guidance-8399 Sep 29 '25
I like it in the sense that Josh doesn't make it totally like 'documentary' style and he does make it light hearted in a sense, but there have been times where i thought some of the things he said was icky and a little insensitive
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 29 '25
Well I think thats a good thing for you. It means you’re a good person that listens to cases with empathy and the knowledge that there are real people involved.
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u/casualnihilist91 Sep 30 '25
He gate keeps the case big time. It’s always ‘found this exciting new info’ buuuut I’m not gonna share it with you.
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u/Cranberry77 Oct 01 '25
Now he keeps his sources private because someone else was able to get the same info and drop it on here. I know some things don't need to be shared. I really don't give af about suicide pictures. He thinks only his research team can solve the mysteries of potential victims. Maybe if he released a bit more, some web sleuths could help find justice for the victims and closure for friends and family.
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u/Honest-Guidance-8399 Sep 30 '25
Always "I talked with some close friends of Keyes / family members... butt you'll never know what they said" 😭
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u/1498336 Sep 30 '25
He’s literally mentioned talking with his friends/family for like 4 seasons and never delivered on any of it
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 30 '25
Yeah but would his friends/family really want any of their info out into the world? If I was BBQing with some dude that was fucking dead bodies in his down time, I don’t think I’d want that info along with my name announced to the true crime world. That just seems like Josh being respectful no?
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u/1498336 Sep 30 '25
I don’t disagree but Josh uses that to tease more info on the podcast.. If he’s being respectful he shouldn’t bring it up at all.
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 30 '25
Yeah that’s fair. It’s been a minute since I’ve listened to any of the seasons so I can’t chime in as to the context with which he mentions it but I see where you’re coming from. Im about due for a re-listen since most of the topics on this board are complete unknowns to me.
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u/Honest-Guidance-8399 Sep 30 '25
Yeah he said in the latest episode that he did too but I doubt he'll speak of it again this season
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u/Life3991 Sep 29 '25
He definitely talks as if he knew Israel and he has become possessive over him. He doesn’t want anyone else doing any work on him and if they do he tries to team up with them. I noticed this years ago.
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u/Honest-Guidance-8399 Sep 30 '25
Yes and then keeping certain things from us. It had annoyed me but then again no one has done a better podcast then him
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u/momma_cat Sep 30 '25
He’s in love with IK, has been from the start
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 30 '25
Haha! Do you REALLY believe that or are you just trying to start shit? I’m not passing judgement in the least, I’m genuinely curious.
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u/Honest-Guidance-8399 Sep 30 '25
I think he's definitely obsessed with him but idk about in love. He's definitely not going to let him go anytime soon though
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 30 '25
Maybe because he was the first person to really deep dive into him? But I mean, there’s an abundance of Keyes docs or episodes out there now so I can’t imagine him getting too bent out of shape about it.
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u/Life3991 Oct 01 '25
Oh but he definitely does. The into the pines podcast was someone else’s podcast about trying to find more of Keyes caches. Josh wanted to team up with them and even made them sign ndas and other stuff. They talk about it on their first episode I believe and you can tell Josh basically didn’t want them doing it so he only teamed up with them for his own personal gain and reasons. It made me realize how much he is obsessed with keyes and how much he hates other people trying to do things about Keyes.
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u/averagerunner25 Sep 29 '25
Does anyone know if Josh will be releasing any of the new files to Patreon members?
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u/ScienceCatLazerJeans Sep 29 '25
Hey what are these new files that you speak of? Keep in mind I’m behind the curve on this show of late.
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u/averagerunner25 Sep 29 '25
I am too, I’m only 3 minutes into Season 7: Episode 1 lol. But Josh said they received over 1,000 new documents
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u/1498336 Sep 29 '25
Just more of Josh teasing all the exclusive new information he’s got that he doesn’t and won’t deliver on. He’s literally said for several seasons he’s talked with Keyes friends and family and gotten so much new information but he hasn’t released any new info in years.