In the eyes of true crime enthusiasts, Charles Manson is the epitome of evil, a cunning mastermind who orchestrated some of the most infamously brutal murder sprees of all time. Yet, as illustrated in the new Peacock series Making Manson, his entire empire might have come crashing down by “pure accident” and a bit of narcissism.
In the three-episode program, Manson’s entire story is chronicled through interviews with friends, victims and other figures he encountered throughout his tumultuous life, as well as archival recordings provided by his pen pal-turned-devoted friend, John Michael Jones.
Despite varying claims about Manson’s level of involvement in the murders of Sharon Tate and others in August 1969, certain truths are undeniable: He was highly manipulative and preyed on young, vulnerable women and men. These followers, who would come to form the “Manson Family,” both perpetually protected him and ultimately led to his undoing.
Once all hell broke loose and the ranch was raided and the members were arrested, there was an unspoken agreement that they wouldn’t tell officials what actually happened. Still, that wouldn’t stop Susan Atkins, who had directly participated in several of the crimes, from openly spilling to her cellmate.
She didn’t just tell her what happened — according to the series, Atkins coldly “bragged” about what she had done and her relationship with Manson — and her confession would play a key role in connecting Manson and the rest of his family and to the killings, making an otherwise incoherent situation completely clear.
“The cops never really solved the Manson case. What happened was it was a pure accident,” says Ivor Davis, a journalist featured in the docuseries. “It wasn’t until months after the murders that they pinned the crime on Manson and his family.”
Another writer, Linda Deutsch, echoes this sentiment, noting that Atkins was a “key” piece in putting the puzzle together, and expressing concerns that if she hadn’t slipped up, the mystery would’ve never been solved.
Manson himself seemingly took great offense to this mistake. But, instead of undergoing some sort of reflection or recognizing how royally he had screwed up, he vehemently blamed her in the recordings.
“Susan Atkins, she wanted to be a star — a star rat,” he said. “She’s the one that put us all in prison.”
Making Manson is currently streaming on Peacock.
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