DeepSummary
The episode starts with Lauren's mom recounting how she met Lauren's then-roommate Jessica (Jess) and immediately disliked her, despite Lauren insisting that Jess was nice. Lauren's cousin also initially thought Jess was the same person as Brody, an online persona Lauren had been talking to for years. The episode discusses Lauren's relationship with Brody, who would manipulate and emotionally abuse her, as well as Jess's strange behavior that mirrored Brody's actions.
Lauren shares text messages from Brody containing threats of suicide and mind games that took a toll on her mental health. After a disturbing incident where someone was banging on Lauren and Jess's windows, Jess acted strangely unconcerned. Lauren's mom recounts picking up Lauren and Jess's son after this incident, with Jess only caring about her car having dog hair in it rather than their safety.
The episode also features interviews with Lauren's friend Kai and cousin, who recount their suspicions about Jess being behind Brody. Despite initially liking Jess, they grew concerned about her obsessive and controlling behavior towards Lauren. The episode implies that Jess was indeed the person behind the Brody persona, using the emotional trauma and personal details Lauren had confided in "Brody" to further manipulate her.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Jessica (Jess) created an online persona named Brody to manipulate and emotionally abuse her roommate Lauren, taking advantage of Lauren's trauma and vulnerabilities.
- Jess mirrored Brody's disturbing, controlling behavior in real life while pretending to be Lauren's supportive friend.
- Lauren's loved ones initially liked Jess but grew suspicious of her obsessive, alienating behavior towards Lauren over time.
- Jess exploited personal details and emotional struggles that Lauren had confided in 'Brody' to further her manipulation tactics.
- The betrayal severely impacted Lauren's mental health and ability to trust others.
- Jess showed little concern for Lauren's safety during disturbing incidents like someone banging on their windows.
- Jess's strange behavior, like her disproportionate reaction to Lauren's cousin visiting, raised red flags with Lauren's family.
- The full extent of Jess's manipulation and the truth about 'Brody' being her creation was a disturbing revelation for Lauren and her loved ones.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I was trying to be there for Lauren, and so I'm trying not to think that Brody is Jess. The only other thing my brain could come up with was, okay, Jessica as a crush on Lauren. At the time, it was hard to understand.“ by Lauren's Cousin
- “Jess goes off to the car, and she's like, I'm leaving. She had came with Lauren, so Lauren didn't have a ride back. They live in the opposite direction that I live in. Several hours the other way. So it's like, I could just take Lauren back. And Jess is like, we're leaving. It wasn't even that big of a deal, and we were all supposed to be just having a normal girls night, and Jess decided that they were leaving, so they went home in the middle of the night.“ by Lauren's Cousin
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Episode Information
Something Was Wrong
Broken Cycle Media | Wondery
5/8/24
*Content Warning: cyberstalking, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, catfishing, fraud, psychological violence, death, medical trauma, suicide, suicidal ideation, threats of self harm, emotional abuse, harassment, sexual abuse.
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