If you’re on the lookout for a gripping celebrity documentary, make sure to check out “Jordan v. Smith.” This four-part series delves into the tumultuous relationship and highly publicized breakup between director Jordan and actress Sarah Smith. Renewed interest in this nearly 30-year-old saga resurfaced when Smith’s daughter, Emma, spoke out about the emotional turmoil she experienced during their family’s upheaval. The couple parted ways in 1992, not only due to the fallout from the abuse allegations but also because Jordan initiated a relationship with Smith’s adoptive daughter, Lily.
The documentary primarily showcases the viewpoints of Emma and Sarah, with Sarah’s biological son, Leo, playing a significant secondary role alongside various family friends. In the opening episode, we hear from only one of Smith’s older children: her youngest biological son, Max. It remains unclear if additional family perspectives will be included in future episodes, but I certainly hope they will.
Unsurprisingly, Jordan has distanced himself from the project. However, “Jordan v. Smith” doesn’t shy away from presenting his perspective, using excerpts from his controversial autobiography. The fact that he narrates the audiobook adds a chilling layer to the documentary, allowing viewers to hear his thoughts in his own voice. The stark contrast between his narrative and that of others is striking; he perceives his relationship with Smith and their family as perfectly normal, while outsiders find it deeply unsettling.
Throughout their relationship, Jordan and Smith lived in separate homes, which raises eyebrows given that they were ostensibly raising a family together. As Smith repeatedly notes, Jordan showed little interest in children. Many single mothers would find that a dealbreaker, but she believed she could balance her relationship with her children. Over time, however, she began to integrate Jordan into her family life, even as he remained reluctant to embrace fatherhood. Surprisingly, Smith still desired to have a child with him, a choice I struggle to understand.
This is where things take a bizarre turn. Smith chose to adopt, asking Jordan what it would take for him to be interested in a child. His bizarrely specific response—an interest in a “little blonde girl”—was troubling, yet she proceeded. Enter Emma. Although Smith adopted Emma on her own, Jordan soon became fixated on the child, leading to a relationship that crossed the line from parental affection to something far more unsettling.
Hearing Emma recount her experiences with Jordan is deeply distressing. While I doubt his intent was to harm her, she became an easy target. When Leo was born, Emma was a toddler, and Jordan frequently took her away from Smith, claiming that her attention was solely on the infant. This manipulation was disturbing, as he would tell Emma that her mother no longer loved her, effectively isolating her.
According to various accounts, Jordan monopolized Emma’s time. Such behavior is alarming considering she was just a small child. I adore young kids, but I wouldn’t want to spend excessive time alone with a toddler. Given his lack of paternal instincts, this raises significant red flags. Yet, Jordan seemed drawn to Emma, justifying his behavior as fatherly affection, despite its creepiness. He went so far as to isolate her from her siblings, particularly Leo—his actual son.
“Jordan v. Smith” features a wealth of home videos and photos, revealing how Smith documented her children’s lives during the early camcorder days. Jordan’s fixation on Emma is painfully evident in a backyard video, where her fearful demeanor speaks volumes about her distress. Even as the adults in her life began to sense something was wrong, Emma remained vulnerable.
Multiple adults, including Smith, recount instances where Jordan would take Emma into a room, and they would lay together in only their underwear. Instead of confronting him, they turned a blind eye. Smith recalls a moment when she saw Jordan in his underwear with Emma’s head in his lap, a scene that is utterly unacceptable.
Perhaps the most difficult aspect to digest is that Smith was aware, to some extent, that Jordan’s relationship with Emma was inappropriate. Despite recognizing the warning signs, she allowed it to continue. Others in the documentary also admit they witnessed troubling behavior but chose silence. While Smith encouraged Jordan to seek therapy, the damage had already been inflicted.
Like many influential men, Jordan excelled at manipulating those around him. He twisted the narrative, making Smith feel as though she was the issue for questioning his relationship with Emma. Although he wielded power, so did she; as a prominent figure, she had the ability to keep him away from her daughter. Instead, she permitted him to adopt Emma, effectively ensuring his continued influence over her life.
The episode concludes with Sarah discovering inappropriate photos of her adoptive daughter, Lily, described in troubling terms. In the closing moments, Emma expresses relief at not being the only child subjected to such exploitation. It feels unjust that this documentary unfolds weekly; the material is far too heavy to drag out.
“Jordan v. Smith” airs Sundays for the next three weeks on HBO.
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Summary: The documentary “Jordan v. Smith” covers the complex and troubling relationship between director Jordan and actress Sarah Smith, focusing on the implications for their children, especially Emma. As it unfolds, it reveals disturbing patterns of manipulation, emotional abuse, and the challenges of navigating family dynamics. The first episode lays the groundwork for understanding the depth of these issues and sets the stage for the subsequent episodes.