I really like this show. The detectives are not actors and in the first episodes, yes, there was some awkwardness in "going about their day" in front of cameras. However, I do not doubt their sincerity in wanting to close this case. Was the initial investigation sketchy? Maybe, but we don't really know because the show didn't walk us through what occurred in that investigation. I feel that was the big hole. However, for those suggesting that the detectives are getting big money? No, don't believe that would be legal. I think Discovery probably offered to fund additional testing that is expensive, such as the sonar testing, additional DNA testing, maybe some funds to reinstate Rodie, etc. I think the Sheriff's dept. has had some really really bad press in the past and they saw this as an opportunity to put their department in a positive light. Nothing wrong with that and if Discovery provides some funding to provide expensive testing to close this case and put it in the public spotlight? Hell yes -- all for it. But here are my thoughts after doing some web sleuthing:
1) Unless they come up with a huge insurance payout, what motive did ex have? (highly doubtful ex was still bene or that she even had any insurance on her life -- she was a grad student, not employed, I think, and no kids -- why pay insurance policy premium?) Plus she and ex were divorced for over a year and ex left her because he got gf pregnant -- that is the reason for the very quick wedding following divorce.
2) Eugenie was a quiet, a bit depressed from the divorce and probably suffering some self esteem issues. She was dating, but not providing details to her best girlfriends. This smells like meeting men online. It was 1997, she was a grad student and well off (based on TV show), hell even I had a computer back then. A lonely 30-something woman looking for love? She's not hitting on the fence guys or trolling bars, she is likely online. THAT in my opinion is how she ended up murdered.
3) DNA? Yes, I think ex is concerned that maybe he met up with E close to the time she was murdered and maybe had sex with her (once a cheater .....), and that is his cause for his concern and lawyers. I don't yet see a motive for murder though. If E came from a well off family, then ex probably did (particularly since new wife appears to be well off as well) -- so the hummer doesn't raise flags except he's probably going through mid-life and is over compensating.
4) Did the detectives seize her hard drive as evidence? Did they take her bedding as evidence? Did they examine her phone records to see who she was talking to? If no, does the family still have her hard drive?? I STILL have my tower from 1997 because there are pictures, etc. on there that I don't know how to retrieve and I plan to do that some day.... If my daughter went missing, hell yes, I would keep her hard drive if the police didn't take it.
5) Discovery needs to do a special on the initial investigation. If they really want to close this case, they need to provide the public with information they have because that may spur memories or us web sleuths to dig deeper. PLUS ... I want Lori and Leslie to be in the spotlight as well -- especially given that Lori is the crime scene/DNA specialist. The whole old cop/"hot shot" cop -- not a good spin ... yes, Aubrey is a good looking man, but he's near 40 ... should spin him as the experienced detective he is and not some kind of newbie/rookie.
6) The best thing about this show? Eugenie now haunts me. I was her -- recently divorced from an idiot and a bit shy, not a lot of friends or self esteem due to the marital relationship. I was not into the bar scene so I turned to the internet and I think today, yes, I could've ended up like Eugenie. I think this angle should at least be looked at if the road to the ex doesn't pan out.
That all my friends is IMHO ...