'Waco' (2018)

Waco (Paramount Network), a six-part mini-series, covers events culminating in the fiery destruction of the Branch Davidians' New Mount Carmel Center -- and the deaths on that day of seventy-six people, mostly women and children -- near Waco, Texas, in 1993. 

Waco begins with Ruby Ridge and ends by noting the deadly use of tear gas (and CS gas) that resulted in catastrophic fires from the 1970s onward (including the bomb dropped on MOVE in West Philadelphia in 1985).  

Like Wild Wild Country (Netflix), Waco fills in a lot of details about a dramatic historical happening, though unlike the former, Waco is not a documentary film. Both deliver worthwhile and fascinating versions of people and events. 

In Waco, Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights) plays David Koresh to the hilt, while Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road, The Shape of Water) takes on the role of FBI negotiator Gary Noesner. Shea Wigham (Boardwalk Empire) plays Mr. Macho, G-man Mitch Decker, who pushes escalation tactics at every turn. 

Waco is more sympathetic to the Branch Davidians than the ATF and FBI, who, despite their stated goal of avoiding another Jonestown, by their overly aggressive actions caused something more akin to the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. 

Koresh (1959-1993) comes off as charismatic and eccentric, possibly a bit crazy, but he doesn't seem anymore so than say, Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844), the founder of Mormonism, who was murdered in Carthage, Illinois, by an American mob at age thirty-eight. 

By the 21st century, G-men seem to have learned some lessons about escalation and de-escalation. The Bundy Bunch in Nevada (2014) and Oregon (2016) were handled with a minimum of casualties, despite high tensions and lethal weaponry carried by both sides. 

More de-escalation training is needed at all levels of government and society, and around the world, certainly.

Off the Double EE Ranch, I've seen the New Mount Carmel grounds in person: eerie and haunted. 

Today's Rune: Joy.