Crimetown

Unlike many other examples in the true crime genre, there is no single narrative, such as a particular crime, that runs through the show, but several recurring, interrelated characters and events connected to the Patriarca crime family and Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci. The shows relies on techniques of investigative journalism to supplement the drama with hard reporting on new details or little-known connections. The New York Times called it "less Law & Order, more The Wire," referencing two popular television series.[6] Most episodes focus on a particular character or story and draw connections to those in previous episodes, coming together to form a picture of crime and corruption in Providence in the late 20th century. Smerling and Stuart-Pontier talked about their interest in the "tree roots" in Providence shared by a wide range of people.[7]

Though many of the episodes do not cover Cianci, his career and persona run through the show, paralleling the city's complicated relationships and contradictions arising from the interplay of good intentions and crime.[1][8] According to The Boston Globe, "everything in the series is built on duality and dichotomy, from the two hills that make up the city (one controlled by the mob, the other home to the WASP elite) to the mayor himself."[8] Cianci began his career as a prosecutor fighting against corruption and organized crime, ran for mayor on an anti-corruption platform, got elected with help from organized crime, and last later convicted for corruption.[1][9][7]

Creators Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier with one of the subjects of the podcast, Charles Kennedy, at "Crimetown Live" in New York City in May 2018.

• Dennis Aiken, FBI special agent working on Operation Plunder Dome, following Buddy Cianci.[10]
• Brian Andrews, police detective who spent a large part of his law enforcement career pursuing thief Tony Fiore, whom Andrews credits with helping his career.[10][11]
• Joseph Bevilacqua, Sr., defense attorney for members of organized crime who became the state's Chief Justice. When he maintained some ties to organized crime, he resigned during impeachment proceedings.[12][13]
• Joseph Bevilacqua, Jr., defense attorney and son of Joseph Bevilacqua, Sr. The show dedicated an episode to the story of a survivor of years of manipulation and sexual abuse by Bevilacqua, Jr., beginning when he gave her cocaine when she was 17 and he was 53.[14][15]
• Buddy Cianci, former prosecutor who ran for mayor of Providence on an anti-corruption platform but became corrupt himself. After resigning when convicted of assault, he ran for mayor again and won, only to be convicted again for racketeering and other charges years later. The Boston Globe described Cianci's portrayal as "a walking embodiment of the city's contradictions."[8]
• Robert Dussault, lead thief of the Bonded Vault heist who turned state's evidence when a hit was put on him.[16]
• Tony Fiore, organized career thief with connections to the Patriarca family. Pursued for years by officer Brian Andrews. After a 10-year prison stint, Fiore began robbing armored cars. He and several associates were caught during an attempted robbery at Emerald Square Mall. After a total of about 30 years in prison, he was released and went into the painting business.[10][11]
• Charles "The Ghost" Kennedy, a major drug trafficker and lock picker who got his nickname because he was so difficult to catch. He became known for his financial success, elaborate parties, and pet wolves at his house in East Greenwich.[17][10]
• Raymond L. S. Patriarca, head of the Patriarca crime family.[10]
• Barbara H. Roberts, Rhode Island's first woman cardiologist and director of the Women's Cardiac Center at Miriam Hospital. She was Raymond Patriarca's cardiologist who kept him out of court for health reasons towards the end of his life. Also, as she disclosed publicly for the first time on Crimetown, she had been mistress to mob boss Luigi "Baby Shacks" Manocchio.[10][18]
• Gerald "Gerry" Tillinghast, a Vietnam veteran turned mob enforcer for Patriarca. Tillinghast helped to get Buddy Cianci elected and, despite Cianci running on an anti-corruption platform, he was given a high-profile government job in exchange. He was acquitted in the Bonded Vault heist trial, but convicted on a later murder charge. At the time of recording, he was spending time as a Dungeons and Dragons dungeon master.[1]
• Arlene Violet, sometimes called "Attila the Nun", left the convent who became Rhode Island's attorney general and foresaw the banking collapse of the 1990s.[19]
• Bobby Walason, worked for Patriarca doing loan sharking and running protection rackets. After being shot and nearly dying, he decided to leave organized crime. He has since sold a fitness product on the Home Shopping Network and started a moving and storage business.[20]

The title song, used throughout the show, is "Run To Your Mama" by the Swedish band Goat.[2] Gimlet Media's Matthew Boll was sound designer and theme music was composed by Jon Ivans, with additional scoring by Edwin, Bienart, John Kusiak, and Kenny Kusiak.[2]

Towards the end of the season, producers released a stand-alone soundtrack with music from the show. It includes a combination of original and previously released tracks.[21]