I watched it. It’s very well done. What a hard life these people have had.
I’ve also watched the series. I thought it was pretty good! Below are my thoughts on the first two episodes:
“1. I have to say that I have a great amount of respect for Kay Stayner. I realize she was said to be cold and distant by the narrator of the “20/20” episode back in 2019 but, she came off well in this documentary. Perhaps she wasn’t the most affectionate mother, but it’s clear she cared for Steven.
2. I think the saddest part of the two episodes I’ve watched so far was when Steven’s former girlfriend (if I remember correctly) recalled how Steven would walk with a hunch, presumably due to the pain he was suffering after the rapes. It’s just awful and disgusting what Parnell did to this poor kid!
3. I was surprised there was no mention of Barbara Mathias who babysat Steven and also sexually abused him. But perhaps they just wanted to focus on Parnell. Eugene Murphy wasn’t discussed either.
4. I couldn’t help wondering whether John Walsh and NCMEC ever reached out to Steven and his family in the years between Steven’s return and his death. We know Steven wanted to be a cop but maybe he could have worked with NCMEC too if he had lived!
5. I was a bit annoyed that those whom they interviewed who knew Steven while captive called him Dennis. I realize they were given a choice but I think out of respect for Steven they should have referred to him by his real name.
6. I’m unsure how to feel about Steven’s sister Cory wanting so badly to know the details of what was done to him by Parnell. I guess it’s another situation where one regrets knowing the grisly details.
7. Finally, I thought it was interesting and also sweet that Ashley Stayner thought of Cory Nemec as her dad for so many years as she only knew her dads story through the film. I hope she’s been able to give him that hug!
I think in covering Steven’s story this was well done and very respectful! I also appreciate that they didn’t go into the horrific details of the sexual abuse unlike Mike Echol’s awful book
I Know My First Name is Steven, which was overly explicit and poorly written, very dull.”