The Staircase Episode 6 is out now! HBO Max’s latest true-crime drama miniseries is created by The Devil All The Time’s Antonio Campos and, is based on the 2004 true-crime docuseries of the same name created by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade. The runtime of the sixth episode is 70 minutes. It is directed by Leigh Janiak and written by Emily Kaczmarek.
The cast features Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, Toni Collette as Kathleen Peterson, Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf, Dane DeHaan as Clayton Peterson, Olivia DeJonge as Caitlin Atwater, Patrick Schwarzenegger as Todd Peterson, Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff, Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff, Rosemarie DeWitt as Candace Hunt Zamperini, Tim Guinee as Bill Peterson, Parker Posey as Freda Black, Juliette Binoche as Sophie Brunet and, Vincent Vermignon as Jean-Xavier. The story recounts the infamous trial of novelist Michael Peterson.
– HBO Max’s The Staircase Episode 6 Review Does Not Contain Spoilers –
The Staircase Episode 6: Red in Tooth and Claw
If you are someone who has followed the Michael Peterson case or read about it, the famous wild owl theory is something that truly made the case sensational even after a verdict was given and baffled everyone around the globe. Even years after the incident, this theory is one of the most discussed and talked about one to judge its plausibility in the given scenario. The Staircase Episode 6 brings to us the owl theory for the first time.
The Staircase Episode 6 also fluctuates between the past and the present. In the present, i.e., 2012, we see David read out the Alford plea that Michael has decided to make. According to this plea, Michael can maintain his innocence but, admits that the prosecution has enough evidence to persuade the jury that the defendant is guilty. As for the past, things reach both high and low points.
Michael and Sophie are seeing each other as Sophie visits Michael whenever she can and is staying at Durham. But, Michael’s second plea is rejected which makes his and his family’s hopes of ever getting out of prison spiral down and break into pieces. This is when Larry, the good ol’ neighbour comes to the Petersons’ rescue with his owl theory. According to Larry’s research with Sophie roped into it, they discover that it is very much possible that Katheleen was attacked by an owl on the night of her death explaining a lot of unexplained questions from the initial trial.
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The Staircase Episode 6 banks on these two topics. One is the owl theory and Larry and Sophie pursuing it. Another is Michael and his family constantly struggling with the reality but, this time around at least getting some help to stand in the present. Flashbacks also play an important part in structuring more of Michael and Katheleen’s story where we see Katheleen and her sister, Candace weren’t the best buds and how she was constantly stressed. We also get hints from the past about Michael being a rigid person, usually getting what he wants.
The owl theory is going to be the most interesting thing to get a grasp on in the upcoming episode. How Larry and Sophie can pitch and thereafter solidify the evidence surrounding the theory remains to be seen. As for the sixth episode, the duo has done a pretty well job that was only enhanced by yet another different ending to finding Toni Collette at the bottom of the staircase.
The Staircase Episode 6: Final Thoughts
The Staircase is one interesting tale to tell. The fact that even after the sixth episode, every theory about Katheleen’s death looks plausible only makes it all the darker and engaging that even true crime fans won’t have an ultimate verdict on who the killer is. Juliette Binoche’s Sophie is slowly becoming a sleepy star in the story where we see her shine so unexpectedly at times. As for Colin Firth and Toni Collette, both are justifying their characters well.
You can watch The Staircase Episode 6 now on HBO Max. To read our reviews of the previous episodes and other news about the show, click here.
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