The Biggest Takeaways From the First Night of 'Leaving Neverland'

Night one of the highly-anticipated docuseries 'Leaving Neverland' has aired. Here are the five biggest takeaways.

Michael Jackson, Wade Robson
HBO

Image via HBO

Michael Jackson, Wade Robson

Tonight, HBO premiered the first part of Leaving Neverland, the long-awaited documentary detailing Michael Jackson's alleged sexual abuse of minors. Over a grueling, disturbing two hours (with the second and final part airing on Monday night), Wade Robson and James Safechuck explain their relationships with Michael Jackson as kids and outline the sexual abuse they allegedly suffered at his hand.

Similar to Lifetime's Surviving R. Kelly docuseries, Leaving Neverland sheds light on long-standing allegations; in this case, they've been in the news since the early 1990s. The graphic descriptions it presents have been unsettling audiences since its premiere at Sundance earlier this year, and one has to wonder what hearing these accusations will mean for the legions of Michael Jackson supporters the world over.

Here are the five biggest takeaways from Part 1 of Leaving Neverland.

Michael's alleged grooming started early on

Michael Jackson with 10 year old Jimmy Safechuck on the tour plane

Michael would gradually increase the distance between the boys and their families

Michael Jackson and Brett Barnes are seen in London, circa 1992.

Michael strategized to avoid getting caught

Michael Jackson and Liza Minelli with Jimmy Safechuck

These relationships destroyed the boys' families

Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1986.

Michael would find new boys all the time

Actor Macaulay Culkin putting on startled expression

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