The web of those implicated in TrevorJeff's blackmail plot and murder is getting all the more complex and intertwined. As we uncover more about these characters and their motivations, things are simultaneously becoming clearer and more confusing. We start the episode right where we left off with Dennis about to find Paula. Thankfully his plan is thwarted and we are thrown for yet another loop when Dennis is called by someone named "Bri-dog" who he seems to be scared of. This is a strange change of character for our creepy murderer, who is usually cool, composed and terrifying. His uneasiness and deference to this "Bri-dog" character is intriguing. What are the relationships here? Who the heck is "Bri-dog”? Why does Dennis tremble when someone named Jennifer is mentioned? And why is he using an unsettling "bro" voice? This is not the Dennis we love to hate.
From what I can gather it seems like there is a pyramid scheme of scamming underway and TrevorJeff, alongside his pals Sky and Ash, decided to get themselves their own piece of the pie. I've watched too many crime dramas to know that never ends well. And it has already caught up to most of that group. Sky's gnarly death was incredibly hard to watch. Once again, I did so through my fingers. His hubris and lack of street smarts got him killed in a way that no one deserves to experience. Meanwhile, Paula's survival instincts are quite impressive. Somehow she made it through yet another close call.
As we learn more, I am continually curious about how it all intersects. While some puzzle pieces are coming together, there is also a lot that is still unknown. For example, at the end of the episode someone is taking photos of Paula. At first I thought it perhaps was Detective Baxter, and momentarily Dennis (though that wouldn't make much sense) but as we come to find out it’s another third party. Is this someone connected with ”Bri-dog”? Or someone else entirely? The web continues to grow.
It's strange, as while there is a lot happening in this show, I feel just as mixed on it as the current discourse. There are moments where it grips me and others where it meanders. I often find myself finishing an episode struggling to find new things to say about it. I haven't quite figure out why that is. Does the show need to spend more time with our main characters, getting to know them more? Or would that feel inconsequential because of all the twists and turns in the story? It's not quite clear. A part of me feels like perhaps we are getting sketches of characters rather deep character studies, outside of Paula that is. Character motivations sometimes feel unclear or uninspiring. Plot points feel a little uneven. I especially find the moments with Geri and Rudy to be a little lackluster as the show hasn't given me a strong reason to care about them. Or find them very funny. It’s clear that more interesting things are afoot with Geri's character being incredibly shady, as she is seemingly writing a hit piece on Paula, to advance her own career. But I'm not completely invested.
One thing is for certain, my curiosity remains. I am hoping that by the end of the season the show's intentions become clearer and it feels like a hidden gem, rather than just okay. All I know for certain is that Tatiana Maslany and Murray Bartlett are incredible actors and I will always tune in to anything they are a part of. We've reached the halfway point of this series and what will happen in these upcoming episodes is anyone's guess. Here's hoping we return to the magic of episode 1.