The documentary series Don’t Date Brandon, based on the Ex-Wives Undercover podcast, attempts to detail the experiences of women who were manipulated by a man named Brandon Johnson. However, the production falls short of providing a meaningful examination of their plight, resulting in a show that feels both lazy and voyeuristic. The series is centered on two women, Amber Rasmussen and Athena Klingerman, who were both involved with Johnson.
Amber Rasmussen, who became Johnson’s second wife at age 35, was initially warned by him to avoid his ex-wife, Athena, whom he labeled a "psycho." Johnson even fabricated message threads over the course of a year to substantiate his claims. Amber remained unaware of the truth until various red flags—including inexplicable bills, a mystery job requiring travel, fake cancer claims, and the discovery of another woman named Avery—led her to contact Athena. Together, they uncovered a web of deception, learning that Johnson had lied about his employment, his health, and the financial history of his former partner. Athena had never accrued $100,000 in credit card debt as Johnson had claimed.
The documentary fails to provide the granular detail required to understand the psychological erosion caused by such manipulation. Instead of focusing on the impact of Johnson’s actions, the show spends much of its runtime marking time, leaving viewers to potentially misinterpret the victims' situations as naivety. Most of the critical information regarding the web of lies is relegated to the final minutes of the first episode, leaving a shaky foundation for the subsequent installments.
The series is expected to cover the escalation of Johnson’s behavior, which eventually led to his arrest. Johnson was charged with assault and attempted kidnapping with the intent to commit rape. He accepted a plea agreement resulting in a 10-year state prison sentence and is currently eligible for parole next year. Furthermore, the narrative touches upon the fact that Johnson had a history of predatory behavior, having been served his first restraining order in 1997 at the age of 19. By failing to prioritize the psychological reality of the abuse, the program risks putting the victims in a position where they appear to be defending themselves, rather than focusing on the actions of their abuser.
Otherwise, you know, it’s just voyeuristic filler for the ever-gaping schedule maw.
