The HBO documentary “The Vow” just concluded its first season, and many people are taking a sigh of relief. Not because the documentary was particular gruesome (it was), but because it was long and slow. The eight episode season details the years leading up to NXIVM cult-leader Keith Raniere’s arrest. The documentary follows former NXIVM members as they struggle to rationalize what has happened to them and what they have allowed happen to others.

NXIVM was founded in 1998, by Keith Raniere, as an executive-success program geared towards professional. The multi-level marketing company offered men's and women’s groups, ESP (Executive Success Program) training courses, in addition to many other programs. As NXIVM grew in numbers and influence, attracting wealth heiress and actors, filmmakers and documentarians, Keith Raniere's persona grew with along with it.

Keith Raniere, a self proclaimed concert pianist, scientist, writer, and avid volleyball player, knew he needed to gain as much respect from the outside world as possible, in order to convince people his teaching were legit. So when he met, Clare Bronfman, the heir to the Seagrams Liquor fortune he latched onto her and brought her in. Not only would her and her sisters provide NXIVM with power and influence, but the much needed cash flow to prop up a hallow organization. Over the years Raniere even landed a visit from the Dali Lama himself.

And so over the years, this is what Raniere did. NXIVM would try their hardest to push out and silence those who spoke against Raniere, while spending all their energy finding new impressionable minds to infect with his teachings. Allison Mack, one of the most notable names in this story and has sadly received a majority of news coverage, while Raniere is the mastermind behind NXIVM and DOS, the women group Allison Mack was accused of running.

DOS was a secretive women’s group within the NXIVM organization, which stands for dominant over submissive. Raniere personally created DOS, previously thought to be the creation of Allison Mack, as an group with him at the top, and below him 8 female submissive’s, and so on for a total of four levels. Each of the eight women who are submissive to Raniere, had eight women submissive to themselves and so on. Submissive’s had to give over collateral to be accepted in DOS, essentially ‘black mail’, something that could be used against them had they decided not to obey their master. One woman featured in The Vow, legitimately couldn’t come up with something incriminating enough, so instead they shot a fake video where she trashed her husband and family.

DOS submissive’s would have to perform ready checks, which meant their master would text them in the middle of the night or anytime of day, and the sub would have to respond ‘ready’ within a certain amount of time or face punishment. Over time the collateral would increase, from simple incriminating photos or videos, to where people actually handed over the deeds to their homes, or the passwords to their bank accounts. All this went on for years, until one woman had an epiphany after being branded, yes branded with the initial of Keith Raniere and Allison Mack.

Clare Bronfman, the heir to the Seagrams Liquor fortune was sentenced to, seven years in prison back in September, and is the first member of the NXIVM cult to be charged for, “sex trafficking, racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child and human trafficking.” This sentencing paints a dark picture for the other NXIVM members who have yet to face trial. Allison Mack another notable name in the case currently does not have a sentencing date, and currently, things are not looking good for the Smallville actress. Keith Raniere’s sentencing is set for October 27th.