The Thing About Pam Review: She’s a Killer (Season 1 Episode 6)
On The Thing about Pam Season 1 Episode 6, “She’s a Killer,” the show wraps up in an unsatisfying and rushed fashion.
As a mini-series, six episodes are usually enough to get your point across. However, untangling a complicated web like Pam Hupp’s clearly needs more.
As most based-on-a-true-story shows go, this one ends with an update on almost all of the “characters” we have met, and The Thing About Pam uses this format in a way that once again disregards Pam’s victims.
She’s… Indescribable [Derogatory]
Almost the entirety of “She’s a Killer” surrounds Pam’s planning and execution of her ploy to kill Louis Gumpenberger.
The fact that he was not a direct target, just someone she came across, almost makes it worse.
This is the part of the review where I remind you that Louis Gumpenberger was a real person with a real family, just as Betsy Faria was a real person with a real family.
While The Thing About Pam tried its hardest to make this show about Pam, you’re left wondering about nearly everyone except her.
NBC tried to turn it into a quirky, funny tell-all about a murderer. Instead, the show ends up revealing the true horrors of evil inside a person, as well as the legal system.
Guilty With an Asterisk
While Pam will remain in jail for the rest of her life, there’s still emptiness amongst Gumpenberger’s family and Faria’s family.
Pam being allowed to plead guilty (but not guilty, guilty) using an Alford plea is unfortunate and, you would think, preventable.
Zellweger excels in her role as Hupp on “She’s a Killer,” particularly because of how she uses facial expressions. Even though it is probably a tad exaggerated for satire, Zellweger as Pam can go from laughing to glaring in mere seconds.
One of the only times I’ll praise Zellweger for her role (because, let’s face it, nobody is good enough an actor to warrant a fat suit in 2022), she hits Pam dead to rights during the finale.
Breaking the Fourth Wall
At the end of the show, as we’re being provided updates on Pam, Mark, and everyone else involved, each actor, in character, looks deep into the camera. Directly.
It’s an odd choice to make given the seriousness of the crimes she’s committed, and rather than feeling revelatory, the sentiment feels empty.
Overall, The Thing About Pam had a few good moments, but there’s a good chance it will be swept under the rug and forgotten about before May Sweeps even happen.
Not every tragic crime needs to be turned into a television show exploiting victims. Podcasts exist for this very reason, and this show was based on a podcast.
Stray Thoughts
- It is incredibly sweet that out of all the pain, hurt, and devastation Pam caused, Russ and Carol, found each other.
- Did she really think the actual police wouldn’t find out that her name isn’t Pamela Huff?
- Judy Greer, babes, you deserve so much more.
—
What did you think of this episode of The Thing About Pam? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
The Thing About Pam is now streaming on PeacockTV.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Laura Wanberg
Laura is a homebody who loves everything about TV. Some of her favorite shows include Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Parks and Recreation, and The Morning Show. With her ever-growing list of new shows to watch and books to read, her favorite thing to do is to cuddle up with her cat and get lost in someone else's world.