It seems Dick Wolf can do no wrong. This week’s edition of his new hit show “Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” on NBC is just as compelling as any of his fictional shows. It continues to build tension and anticipation as it recounts the real-life story of Erik and Lyle Menendez, two Beverly Hills teenagers who killed their parents back in 1989.

In the previous three episodes, viewers were introduced to the Menendez family and watched in disbelief as the parents were murdered, the sons were arrested, and the drama grew. In last night’s fourth episode, complicated details became a bit clearer as we learned more about Erik and Lyle’s disturbing childhood.

Erik and Lyle Menendez both admit to being abused by their father

In the beginning of episode four of “Law & Order True Crime," defense attorney Leslie Abramson speaks with Erik Menendez’s high school drama teacher. The scene offers a flashback to Erik in class, acting out a Shakespeare soliloquy from "Richard III" for his classmates. His speech and mannerisms evoke sympathy for his internal conflict, but also offer nagging doubt.

In the previous “Law & Order” episode, Erik Menendez tearfully admitted that his father had sexually abused him ever since he was a young child. Now, Lyle tells his therapist that he too was abused, and he and the therapist both seem surprised by this sudden admission.

Now that the secret is out, both brothers admit that they did, in fact, murder their parents. Everyone is shocked, and everyone cries. Neither of their girlfriends handle this information well, and both end their relationships.

Later, photos that Jose Menendez had hidden among his personal items are discovered, photos of both Erik and Lyle’s genitals, spanning many years.

This prompts admissions from the boys’ friends and cousins, all saying that they knew of the abuse but didn’t know what to say or how to help. It seems Jose scared everyone into silence, especially his sons.

Kitty Menendez knew of the abuse but did not help her children

While all of this tells us why the Menendez brothers killed their father, viewers are still wondering why they would want to hurt their mother as well.

In a particularly disturbing scene in this episode, we are given some insight. As Abramson speaks with Kitty Menendez’s therapist, we see a flashback to Kitty in a session. She says Lyle screamed in the night, and the therapist asks, “What did you do?” Kitty reacts as if he’d asked, “What did you do to him?” and retorts that she hadn’t done anything, he’d just had a bad dream. She then says she gave Lyle a cold shower, as her father had done when his kids had bad dreams. This proves she knew of the abuse and didn’t do anything to stop it, deal with it, or support her kids in any way.

Episode four of “Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” concludes with Edie Falco’s character finally saying that she believes the boys’ stories, and now, can also believe in her case.
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