Murder Mountain

Murder Mountain, a captivating true-crime docuseries that dropped on Netflix in 2018, takes its audience to a part of California that seems to have escaped the confines of civilization - the so-called Emerald Triangle. This high-stakes thriller traverses the dense forests of this region known primarily for its prolific cannabis farming, but also for its frighteningly large number of missing persons' cases and unsolved murders, thus earning its ominous name.

The six-episode series is a deep dive into the harrowing world of illegal marijuana cultivation in Humboldt County, Northern California. The region has earned a reputation as the weed capital of America, with its thriving, yet often lethal, marijuana industry. The Emerald Triangle, made up of Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity counties, is recognized as the largest cannabis-producing region in the United States. However, the series primarily focuses on the smaller section called Alderpoint, nestled deep within Humboldt County, nicknamed by locals and law enforcement as "Murder Mountain."

The show is an amalgamation of historical narratives, interviews with locals, law enforcement officials, lawyers, journalists, and growers – both legal and illegal. Each episode expertly twists and turns through the tale, making it not just a chronicle of crime, but a compelling social commentary on this unique subculture, the American War on Drugs, and its far-reaching implications.

The series kicks off with a focus on the disappearances and homicides in the area, and the backdrop of socio-political happenings that served to shape the region's unique culture. It chronicles the journey of Garrett Rodriguez, a surfer from San Diego who goes missing after deciding to work on an illegal marijuana farm in the area. As local authorities seemingly disregard the case, Garrett's distraught family and a group of local vigilantes named the "Alderpoint 8" take matters into their own hands.

In the episodes to follow, the series broadens its horizon and delves not only into the mystery surrounding Garrett's disappearance but also into the history of the Emerald Triangle itself. It explores how what started as a countercultural haven for people seeking to live off the grid in the 1960s slowly morphed into a death trap riddled with cartel activity, violence, and lawlessness.

While Murder Mountain examines this underbelly of illicit pot farming, its narrative also unveils the other side of the coin - the impact of marijuana legalization in the region. It looks at how the green rush led by Proposition 64 in California, which legalized marijuana for recreational use, has affected local growers. Interviews showcase how some farmers are striving to shift from the shadowy recesses of illegal cultivation into the lawful cannabis industry, facing challenges such as regulations, taxes, and competition with corporate cannabis entities.

The striking cinematography plays a significant role in amplifying the docuseries' impact. The blend of ominous aerial shots of vast, impenetrable forests juxtaposed with grounded discourse in dilapidated homes and town centers brings the viewers face-to-face with a microcosm barely recognizable as part of developed America. The music score, heavy in folksy tunes and droning acoustics, adds an extra layer of immersion, lending a palpable pulse to the unfolding story.

Throughout its run, Murder Mountain successfully presents a comprehensive picture of a lawless frontier. From the unsolved crime to the struggles of a changing industry, it uncovers the stark realities hidden behind the mystique of Humboldt County's famed weed production. It does an outstanding job of portraying how the contradictions of the law and societal perceptions can create a world where good intentions may, unfortunately, pave the road to a real place dubbed as Murder Mountain.

Through compelling storytelling and gritty truths, Murder Mountain offers viewers a rare insight into a world not widely understood. As enigmatic as it is terrifying, as historic as it is consequential, this show is an undeniable must-watch for all lovers of true crime and sociopolitical documentaries.