Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Mother Undercover’ on Hulu, A New Series About Four Determined Mothers Who Sought Justice For Their Children

Whether you’re talking about the animal kingdom or actual humans, the innate desire to protect your own is part of the motherly condition, and it’s the hook for the new Hulu show Mother Undercover. In the new true-crime docu-series, four women whose children were kidnapped, killed, or otherwise imperiled, sought justice and did whatever it took to fight for their kids. These are stories of triumph and loss, but they offer proof that you shouldn’t mess with a mother.

MOTHER UNDERCOVER: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

Opening Shot: “My name is Lisa. I am a mother. One of my sons was shot dead. I tracked down his killer, and this is how I did it,” a woman says, speaking directly to camera as crime scene photos flash before our eyes.

The Gist: Every episode of the new Hulu docuseries Mother Undercover features a woman – a mother – who has gone to extraordinary lengths in the name of her children. Episode 1 is the story of Lisa Espinosa, a North Philadelphia woman whose youngest son, RJ Pantoja, was gunned down outside of a nightclub in front of several witnesses, but whose killer was never found. Until Lisa decided to take matters into her own hands.

“I wanted to know who murdered my son,” Lisa says, and when the detectives on the case told her they had no leads, Lisa knew that her son, a young Latino man who has been in the wrong place at the wrong time, might never get justice. She started interviewing RJ’s friends who were with him on the night of his death, putting together descriptions of the killer, and staking out places she knew he would be. Despite the fact that a video of the murder was posted to social media, Lisa struggled at first to get anyone to speak with her, but she ultimately started hearing from witnesses and piecing together details of the crime.

Lisa made it her full time job to find RJ’s killer, even facing death threats that shook the rest of her family, but didn’t deter her from her investigation. Six months after RJ’s death, the information that Lisa provided to the police task force helped them make an arrest, and RJ’s murderer is now serving time in prison for the crime.

What Shows Will It Remind You Of? Since this series is an ABC News production, it definitely has the vibe of a Dateline, 48 Hours or 20/20-style news magazine.

Our Take: Given our cultural obsession with true crime, the “mother seeking justice” spin on it is a solid one, especially because in the four episodes of Mother Undercover, the stories, while often tragic, provide the outcome we’re all looking for. One person can make a difference, especially when it’s a mother trying to do right by her kids.

Lisa Espinosa’s child was a victim of gun violence, and while many parents who have lost a child in a shooting become anti-gun advocates, Lisa’s story is unique because she not only became a force within the Moms Demand Action advocacy group, but she actually was the reason her son’s killer was found. Her determination, and that of the rest of the mothers featured, is what makes the series pop.

Other episodes feature a mother who was a member of Jim Jones’ Peoples Temple and saved herself and her son from the mass suicide Jones later orchestrated, a woman who fought a corrupt judge and legal system who were aiding her ex-husband in attempting to revoke her custody of her son, and another whose son was kidnapped by her ex and taken out of the country. Each of the stories is compelling since each story is told firsthand by the actual mothers involved, and is there a more determined person in the world than a mother whose child needs her to fight for them?

Sex and Skin: None.

Parting Shot: As the show ends, a graphic explains, “More than half of Philadelphia’s murders continue to go unsolved.”

Sleeper Star: Each of the mothers in question is undoubtedly the hero of their stories.

Most Pilot-y Line: “I wanted him to be scared. I wanted him to know, this person that you killed, you picked the wrong one. You picked the wrong one, and you messed with the wrong mother,” Espinosa says, perfectly encapsulating the show, even if it’s a little on the nose.

Our Call: There’s a reason human interest stories pique our interest, especially when they have happy endings. While these episodes feature stories of familial turbulence, violence, and heartbreak, ultimately they’re stories of a mother’s unconditional love that end in justice being served. These are not gripping Making A Murderer-style stories that will keep you guessing, they’re meant to be a little lighter and offer a positive spin. If you love true crime but need a break from the grisly stuff, STREAM IT.

Liz Kocan is a pop culture writer living in Massachusetts. Her biggest claim to fame is the time she won on the game show Chain Reaction.