Five quick thoughts on “crazytimes**tshow”
The function of apologies. The theme of “forgiveness has to be earned” takes on a new wrinkle as Gene finds himself on the giving end of the unhelpful retro-active apology.
The concept of apologies has become a running thread in society lately, as celebrities and public figures find themselves increasingly in need of accounting for past misbehaviors. Apologies are often demanded, and almost always rejected on their face when they inevitably fall short. But, in a way, what good would the apology do in the first place? Even when sincerely given and believed, it doesn’t really undo the damage, especially when at the level of what Gene has done.
Ultimately, apologies are often to alleviate the guilt of the misdoer and nothing else. BARRY, it seems, is zeroing in on this concept, an interesting one to face in a season all about forgiveness. And as he causes a former colleague to tear up at the memory of having tea thrown in his face, and another former flame to storm away from the communal table they’re sitting at, I have sincerely no clue how Gene is going to face up to his failures, especially since he doesn’t have the wherewithal to just blast his way through them like Barry. Stay tuned!
A new villain drops. It was inevitable, but Cristobal’s wife has finally arrived. And sh'e’s kinda terrifying? And I think she’s so effective because her rage is so understandable. I especially loved the scene of her storming Hank and Cristobal’s home. With Hank trapped in the closet (I really liked how they refrained from subtitling her during this; it really elevated the threat as Hank perceives it), he is force to watch as she discovers a picture of him and Cristobal together. And she’s heartbroken. Why wouldn’t she be?
And that’s what makes her so scary.
Sally holds firm. I admit to thinking the moment at the end where Barry offers to gaslight Diane until her brain melts was leading to Sally’s Skyler heel turn. The idea of Barry finally revealing who he is to Sally, and having her be super into it in a moment of weakness seemed like an interesting way to resolve that dangling plot line. It really seemed like the episode was heading that direction. And then…
The more honest thing happened instead. Sally stares at the fucking psycho sitting next to her and tells him to get the fuck out. And, look, I’ve been hard on Sally in this space, but honestly? Good for her. Barry has this wide open opportunity to mend the only real relationship he’s ever had. But he doesn’t know any other way of being “helpful” than by being a weirdo. So she kicks him out. Maybe it’s not heart-pounding TV, but it’s honest. And grounded. Unlike…
The weird streaming stuff with JOPLIN. I understand completely the intent here. This is BARRY’s satire of the insidious Netflix-ification of popular entertainment, as major studios allow an undefined computer algorithm make creative decisions, no matter how illogical they may be. And the high of where Sally finds herself at the end of last episode and the valley she finds herself halfway through this one is such an honest portrayal of what happens after perceived creative success.
But I think they took the satire an inch too far. The concept of JOPLIN being pulled from the site twelve hours after launch just doesn’t quite pass the smell test to me. I know I’m nitpicking, but…if anything, doesn’t Netflix push its users towards its original programming at the expense of everything else? Also, they’re swift to cancel stuff for no reason, true, but I don’t know that they pull things off their site completely, (unless it’s another studio calling in their debts, like the Marvel stuff) they usually just de-emphasize content when it’s no longer of use.
It all felt emotionally honest, just not quite factually honest. But maybe that’s enough.
The cost of being a n00b. I’ve always loved this running thread on BARRY of people trying to be hitmen never working out. Fuches’ new protege at the top of Season Two? Barry’s pet Chechen student last season? Both reached bad, swift ends.
So it goes with Annabeth Gish and son. As fun as it was to see two normal people try to organize a hit, it seemed inevitable somebody not named Barry was going to get hurt. And now, her son has a hole through his gut. It’s nice to know Fuches has found all new days to ruin the lives of innocents. You haven’t lost your touch, you sly dog!!