Serial, as defined by “Merriam Webster Dictionary,” means arranged or happening in a series. Hence the reason the noun is such a fitting title for the wildly popular, free podcast known by the same name.

For those unfamiliar with “Serial,” the podcast was first released in December 2010 as a spinoff of “This American Life,” a radio show produced by WBEZ Chicago. The podcast is a true story that is told over the course of a season, broken down into episodes narrated by the show’s host Sarah Koenig.

Each episode contains whatever research and information that Koenig and her investigative team have uncovered. Each episode is another chapter in the story, usually ending in a “cliffhanger” that makes the listener ready to listen to the next episode.

The podcast is currently in the middle of its second season. After an immensely popular first season that resulted in nationwide recognition, including a Christmas spoof done by “Saturday Night Live,” the podcast received enough funding from sponsors to produce a second and third season.

In the first season, the story revolved around the 1999 murder of high school student Hae Min Lee and the subsequent conviction of her boyfriend, Adnan Syed, despite lacking evidence. In the second season, the team investigates a much more heard of event: the 2009 capture of United States Army soldier Bowe Bergdahl by the Taliban and his release from captivity five years later. It questions whether or not Bergdahl was a Taliban supporter.

“Serial” is a podcast that can be enjoyed by all. The mystery that is conveyed through the storytelling techniques of Koenig are enough to capture those who aren’t interested in “real-crime” at all. It is similar to crime dramas on television in that the listener can make guesses regarding the specifics of the crime, but the listener gets a completely different experience when listening.

“Serial” gives its subjects and sources room to talk and to tell their side of the story. These other sides fill in the holes of the story and allow the listener to really ponder whether or not the murder actually was Adnan’s fault or if Bergdahl really did sympathize with the Taliban. The viewer doesn’t get that kind of experience on TV.

The podcast also contains one of the most brilliant displays of investigative reporting to those who are interested in it. Each episode, Koenig shares the most recent details and information that herself and her team have found. The transparency with what Koenig and her team have uncovered is phenomenal. It is as if the listener is working alongside Koenig and learning the details alongside her.

Furthermore, this allows the listener to understand and feel the effects of whatever setbacks that Koenig may have faced. For instance, in season one, episode nine, Koenig explains in great detail how Hae Min Lee’s family never answered or responded despite the “Letters, in English and in Korean, phone calls, social media, friends of friends of friends, two private detectives, Korean-speaking researchers, people knocking on doors in three different states and calls to South Korea.” By hearing how the investigation is going and the potential failures that may occur, the listener is involved like never before.

In this new type of podcast, the characters are engaging and relatable, the content infused with facts and particulars. The stakes are higher than the listener could ever imagine.

Although the stories might not always yield the most unswaying conclusion, they are sure to have the listener on the edge of their seat, wanting more.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5