Into the Fire

When a little boy is discovered dead in the woods by his neighbor Ben Crawford (Ryan Phillippe), Ben becomes the main person of interest for his murder. Detective Andrea Cornell (Juliette Lewis) leading the investigation provides constant pressure on Ben as she combs the neighborhood for clues – seemingly to prove Ben is the murderer. However, she's too clever in a wooden, relentless way to assume the killer is Ben without solid evidence.

With few exceptions the neighborhood turns on Ben and, although there is no known motive for him to kill the child, they assume he's guilty because of the ongoing pursuit by Detective Cornell. During the course of the investigation, all kinds of secrets and lies are exposed, not one of the members of this neighborhood without something to hide.

Secrets and Lies refuses to give concrete clues as to who the murderer is and doesn't allow the viewer to let Ben completely off the hook for it – even though there's no obvious reason for him to commit such a terrible crime. Ben attempts to find the murderer himself because he doesn't trust the detective to do her job. His life shows signs of unraveling, alienating the few friends he has left.

Dark and somewhat dreary contrasted to the Christmas season in which  it takes place, it's similar in tone to last year's mini-series drama Gracepoint. Secrets and Lies is based on an Australian TV drama of the same name and is in the midst of its slated ten episode run on ABC at 9 PM (PDT).      

Father, people bring so much destruction upon themselves while others force evil upon unsuspecting people. The world is desperate for you, Jesus, but so many refuse to consider you. Please open hearts, Lord, to understand you gave it all for each one of us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.