In "Truth Be Told," lovers of true crime podcasts and the original novel by Kathleen Barber receive a visual companion that incorporates the creative medium. The story follows investigative journalist Poppy Parnell and her conflicted guilt about the details of a criminal case she reported on years prior. The case resulted in the life sentencing of a man who Poppy may have assisted in locking up due to her publishings. Facing potential guilt and the means to finally set the record straight, Poppy suspects the truth is not what she reported on in the past. She intends on acquiring the real story and tell all on her podcast "Reconsider."

With an episodic approach rather than a full-length feature, it can be difficult to track differences in directing, and cinematography as many series effectively blend their approaches across a season. That being said, the show is diving headfirst into the melodramatic themes that are involved in a small-town murder case, with a convict's mother who is stricken with cancer, a victim's trauma resurfacing, and both inciting the momentum that is a journalist on the edge of discovery.

When I watched the episode for the first time there had been something that kept pulling me out of the narrative. It took a rewatch to realize that the camera work included shots that were much different from any surrounding ones. Awkward angles and a constant blur in the background make me feel like the show isn't as visually compelling. I am very thankful for the sequences centered around Poppy's recording which is very satisfying.

Academy and Golden Globe award-winning Octavia Spencer takes charge onscreen toward her objective and means no-nonsense in this role. In the premiere episode, it's shown that her character does still have barriers to overcome, but her strength and integrity as a truth seeker encouraged me to follow her on this journey. Also, her clear voice is perfect for a character who's podcasting efforts are the highlight of her work.

Aaron Paul portrays incarcerated Warren Cave, and has been in both "Breaking Bad" and "El Camino" which garnered multiple nominations and awards including a Primetime Emmy award for the gritty actor. Lizzy Caplan, our favorite mean girl, plays twins in the series, but we don't get much other than an encounter between her and Poppy. From the trailer, it appears Caplan will portray twins and I'm excited to see her pull off two hopefully separate performances. Tracie Thoms, who I remember from "Rent," provides a supportive shoulder for Poppy as her older sister. She also brings relief to the tension-filled conflict now at the center of Poppy's conscious in her humor and constant mockings of their father's new young lover.

The episode could be brighter in both senses of the word. The scenery is dim and even though a birthday party is a focused location, tension between Poppy and her father makes the moment discomforting. Poppy hasn't revealed any real excitement in the short glimpse we see of her. Poppy's father, Crave's mother, and others seem as cold as the season which makes it hard to get through the show without suspecting something deeper. The Purnell family will be a prominent group in the series based on episode one. They stand to be Poppy's support and an area of interest as their father is faltering in nature. Slowly Josie and Lanie Buhrman will show their true colors and that of Crave as the series progresses, but not much is revealed in the pilot on the importance of these two. Although the case has many details that we don't know other than Crave being Buhrman's former neighbor and seemingly identified by their daughter the night of the incident, the show has a clearly propelled direction and for a serious sit-down and pay attention kind of show, it held me.

The show's direction doesn't feel slow, as by the end of the first episode the audience is left with an account of the criminal events by the convict, a hint at a dark secret and Poppy recording her first podcast on the case titled "Monster." However, that's where the episode ends and it feels more attention should show Poppy as she is telling the story on the mic since the show surrounds this storytelling method.

"Truth Be Told" is an Apple TV+ exclusive but if you're an Apple Music subscriber (yes, there's a student discount) then the service is included and well worth the premium price. The series has three episodes available at launch and premieres new episodes every Friday.