_A Friend of the Family_ is amazing in showing how easy it is to get manipulated, the damaging power of manipulation and grooming.
The beginning episodes are much better than the middle, it kind of drags on slightly. Like so many miniseries, it's just too long. At 4 episodes it could be really strong, at 8 it's plodding and cuts are easy to see.

This is a case study. You just can't believe that this really happened to someone. Feels so fictional and silly but true. The real story is absolutely insane. Both parents offered their kid up like a lamb to slaughter… because they both were having sexual relations with the kidnapper. Her parents were literally some of the dumbest people I’ve ever seen. an Broberg was failed by more than her parents, also her school, community leaders, the Mormon church especially was awfully complicit.

That moment when she realized it was all lies was moving. But I couldn't understand how does Jan keep getting this man’s address? Who keeps letting her get the mail?! The fact she saw him again after they went to court. How did he get out of the mental health facility.

They had to get real life Jan to say, _"times were different"_ on the first episode to excuse the craziness this show ensues. But the choices this family made were awful, it doesn't matter when it happened. Very surprised Jan is still even talking to her mom given everything but I suspect the entire thing is complicated.