Trending Docuseries Brings a Dark Texas Crime Back Into the Spotlight

I am a self-proclaimed true crime junkie, with a special interest in cases that involve my home state, Texas. I have an iron stomach for most things, with the ability to watch early seasons of Forensic Files ( if you know, you know) while munching on popcorn. The ones that happen in my hometown of Lubbock are my favorite, but I do cry at one episode that involves a girl I actually met a few times.

Read More: Lubbock Was on 'Forensic Files' 4 Times, Watch the Episodes Here

My interest isn't a callousness towards human life. Anyone who assumes that to be the case with true crime fans is making their own bad faith assumptions. Most true crime fans are women, and I can tell you why we can't get enough: we like solving these types of puzzles- based on the evidence, and particularly the psychology of the crimes. And we use what we learn to protect ourselves, as we are more likely to be the victim of a crime. I absolutely will not open my front door with my hands full at night.

I noticed that the term "Andrea Yates" was trending in Texas on Google. "Gross, why?" I thought to myself. Why would anyone possibly want to revisit something so dark, so sad, and so honestly uninteresting as a deeply disturbed Texas woman ending the lives of her kids? There's nothing to solve here. It's just upsetting.

Read More: How Cindy Rodriguez Singh Evaded Authorities After Son's Disappearance

It turns out there's a new docuseries about the crime, The Cult Behind The Killer, on HBO Max.  Okay, wait, I trust HBO, and I recently watched The Yogurt Shop Murders, which was a thoughtful and compassionate look at the quadruple homicide that haunted Austin for decades.

It appears the focus on this revisiting of the Andrea Yates trial is focused on the extremist street preacher who possibly influenced Andrea, and whom I've never heard of before. So perhaps there is a mystery to solve here, and I'm sure this will be a high-quality docuseries from the folks who have produced so many others. However, I might have to skip this one. I don't think I'd be able to stomach my popcorn.