'Serial' Will Tackle Bowe Bergdahl Case in Upcoming Season

[WanderingWinoZ]

www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/serial-will-tackle-bowe-bergdahl-case-in-upcoming-season-20150923


After investigating a murder on the outskirts of Baltimore, Serial will soon focus on another murky court proceeding, albeit one that has generated nationwide headlines: The Bowe Bergdahl case. Maxim first reported that Serial host Sarah Koenig was in attendance during Bergdahl's recent preliminary hearing in San Antonio, with Zero Dark Thirty screenwriter Mark Boal also in attendance; Boal is reportedly reteaming with director Kathryn Bigelow on a Bergdahl film and assisting on Koenig's investigative podcast. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the news.




The 29-year-old Bergdahl, whom Rolling Stone's Michael Hastings profiled in a 2012 article titled "America's Last Prisoner of War," went missing in 2009 when he abandoned his troop's barracks and was captured and held captive by the Taliban until May 2014. The U.S. military eventually negotiated his release as part of a prisoner exchange for five Taliban officials held in Guantánamo Bay. While initially receiving a hero's welcome, in March 2015, Bergdahl was charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy for absconding from his outpost.



Bergdahl faces a dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank, total forfeiture of payment and imprisonment for up to five years for the desertion charge and confinement for life for the misbehavior charge. According to The Washington Post, at the recent preliminary hearing, Bergdahl's lawyer said the army sergeant left his barracks in June 2009 armed only with a disguise and a knife in order to trek 19 miles away to another Army installment to speak with a general.



In a statement, NPR, the organization that produces Serial, said, "We'd very much appreciate if fellow journalists would give us some room and not feel the need to attempt to dig into and try to figure out what you think we might be doing, especially since we're actively reporting stories, and having a bunch of wild speculation out there makes our job reporting harder. Doesn't feel very menschy. In any case, here's what I can tell you: The Serial staff is currently working on several things simultaneously: Season 2, Season 3, and some other podcast projects. For now we're not talking publicly about anything that we're working on."







Read more: www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/serial-will-tackle-bowe-bergdahl-case-in-upcoming-season-20150923#ixzz3meQt1PLO

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[wambam]

I said this on ML, but I'm disappointed it's a known case. I think part of the excitement of season 1 was that I had no idea what was happening until it happened. I got to go through the roller coaster of "adnan is soooop guilty!" And "wait no, he couldn't have done this" to "Jay's a disgusting shitpig" and finally "urich is the shitpig" I don't know that it's possible to get so emotionally involved in a case I already know about.

Maybe it'll surprise me.

[aurora]

wambam, I had the same initial reaction (sad that it's a known case), but I almost wonder if that's on purpose after Hae's family were dragged back into the limelight unwillingly last time (or at least her brother).

[wambam]

Sept 24, 2015 8:38:19 GMT -5 aurora said:

wambam, I had the same initial reaction (sad that it's a known case), but I almost wonder if that's on purpose after Hae's family were dragged back into the limelight unwillingly last time (or at least her brother).

Hmm, perhaps. I don't really know how much Hae's family agreed to Serial or if it was solely Rabia's choice. If they are being harassed or don't want the attention, I genuinely feel for them. But that makes me want justice for Hae even more.

[laurenpetro]

I don't hate this. I feel like I don't know much of the story on purpose and that an independent investigation would be good. For me. Because it's all about me.

[heyjude]

Hae's family wanted nothing to do with serial. They believe justice WAS served.

Anyway I can't wait to see all the arm chair military and national security experts!!

Serial's response to maxim was eyerolly. "Leave us alone and don't mess with our journalistic process."

I'm excited but I agree the topic is not as interesting.

[wambam]

Sept 24, 2015 8:44:32 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Hae's family wanted nothing to do with serial. They believe justice WAS served.

And one part of me wants to respect that. But the other part of me is like "but if they knew..." (more from Undisclosed than Serial) would they still feel this way?

[WanderingWinoZ]

Sept 24, 2015 8:46:23 GMT -5 TR said:

I feel bad that I don't know much about this story. What is on trial or in question here? Why he left the base?

I think there are a lot of "unknowns" or at least disputed stories/versions of how this whole saga played out, so maybe that's how they will add some suspense or drama to this story....by telling Bergdahl's side & the narrative of what the went through and thought.  I don't think all those details are well known.

[heyjude]

Sept 24, 2015 8:46:59 GMT -5 wambam said:

Sept 24, 2015 8:44:32 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Hae's family wanted nothing to do with serial. They believe justice WAS served.

And one part of me wants to respect that. But the other part of me is like "but if they knew..." (more from Undisclosed than Serial) would they still feel this way?

If only they heard more from his family and rabid supporters they might change their mind? I can see why they would take a pass on that.

[wambam]

Sept 24, 2015 8:55:15 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Sept 24, 2015 8:46:59 GMT -5 wambam said:

And one part of me wants to respect that. But the other part of me is like "but if they knew..." (more from Undisclosed than Serial) would they still feel this way?

If only they heard more from his family and rabid supporters they might change their mind? I can see why they would take a pass on that.

No, I meant if they knew the plethora of information that indicates justice was indeed not served. Of course I don't want them to be harassed by adnan's family.

[heyjude]

BTW what does menschy mean?

[bears]

Sept 24, 2015 10:54:01 GMT -5 heyjude said:

BTW what does menschy mean?

A mensch does the right, upstanding thing to do.

[YeahSure]

I'm not remotely familiar with "Serial", but am interested in this case, as I have a very good friend who is very good friends with Bowe Bergdahl's family.

[gretchenindisguise]

I don't like it because he's not adjudicated yet, right?