Poker Face: The Hook
March 9, 2023 8:28 AM - Season 1, Episode 10 - Subscribe
Charlie faces her greatest challenge yet when she is caught in the crossfire of a deadly power play that puts her in the sights of two ruthless crime syndicates and the FBI.
Rian Johnson Wants Poker Face to Break Expectations Without Breaking Form [Vulture Interview / Archive]
Rian Johnson Wants Poker Face to Break Expectations Without Breaking Form [Vulture Interview / Archive]
So much Burn Notice worship in a single episode, haha!
posted by bigendian at 1:10 PM on March 9, 2023 [10 favorites]
posted by bigendian at 1:10 PM on March 9, 2023 [10 favorites]
Love the meta touch at the end: “how long do you think you can keep that up, going along the highway solving murders?” “I guess we’ll all find out together!”
posted by adrianhon at 1:37 PM on March 9, 2023 [10 favorites]
posted by adrianhon at 1:37 PM on March 9, 2023 [10 favorites]
The poetry Cliff (the Benjamin Bratt character) recited in the car was the lyrics to the 1994 song Hook from Blues Traveler.
Clea DuVall, who played the sister, and Natasha Lyonne were in "But I'm a Cheerleader" and some other shows professionally, and they're long-time friends off-screen.
I didn't place Rhea Perlman, as Beatrice Hasp, until the credits.
I liked the ending! I was worried it would be a cliffhanger ending.
posted by Pronoiac at 2:46 PM on March 9, 2023 [6 favorites]
Clea DuVall, who played the sister, and Natasha Lyonne were in "But I'm a Cheerleader" and some other shows professionally, and they're long-time friends off-screen.
I didn't place Rhea Perlman, as Beatrice Hasp, until the credits.
I liked the ending! I was worried it would be a cliffhanger ending.
posted by Pronoiac at 2:46 PM on March 9, 2023 [6 favorites]
Rhea Perlman being Beatrice is perfect. (I meant to look it up but then I got distracted by life.)
I liked that this wrapped up Charlie's current story while still pointing to her still being on the run. And that her sister basically said "you're a good person, just not to us, so this is your life" felt fair. Like, Charlie is awesome but a mess. She can't be good to people long-term, but that's also her gift. I love her.
I did want to see her team up with Ron Perlman, who, among men, has one of the best voices of all time, but I get why that couldn't just be a good buddy show. Oh well. They had some nice moments together and I liked that he was actually on her side. But it's Ron Perlman. I'm kind of going to be on his side. (Charlie seems to be in her early '40s but it was still charming he called her "Kid.")
How am I supposed to live until the second season of this show?
posted by edencosmic at 6:10 PM on March 9, 2023 [4 favorites]
I liked that this wrapped up Charlie's current story while still pointing to her still being on the run. And that her sister basically said "you're a good person, just not to us, so this is your life" felt fair. Like, Charlie is awesome but a mess. She can't be good to people long-term, but that's also her gift. I love her.
I did want to see her team up with Ron Perlman, who, among men, has one of the best voices of all time, but I get why that couldn't just be a good buddy show. Oh well. They had some nice moments together and I liked that he was actually on her side. But it's Ron Perlman. I'm kind of going to be on his side. (Charlie seems to be in her early '40s but it was still charming he called her "Kid.")
How am I supposed to live until the second season of this show?
posted by edencosmic at 6:10 PM on March 9, 2023 [4 favorites]
Ok, I'm calling it now.
Season 3's Big Bad will be Itzhak Perlman.
posted by cheshyre at 6:52 PM on March 9, 2023 [22 favorites]
Season 3's Big Bad will be Itzhak Perlman.
posted by cheshyre at 6:52 PM on March 9, 2023 [22 favorites]
My guess is Beatrice Hasp is Charlie's sister based on both of them using the word "ruinous" (and despite Rhea Perlman doing the voice; voice alteration, yo).
posted by kirkaracha at 7:12 PM on March 9, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 7:12 PM on March 9, 2023 [4 favorites]
Burn Notice worship
So the "Jeffrey Donovan ~ investigative detective" was a Chekhov detective?
Right off I have a problem with the replaced gun having Charlie's prints on them as not possible - but then, corrupt cops can get at the evidence a little bit later no fuss no muss.
Charlie's penis-with-balls ring (like, on a [middle] finger). Useful.
posted by porpoise at 7:36 PM on March 9, 2023
So the "Jeffrey Donovan ~ investigative detective" was a Chekhov detective?
Right off I have a problem with the replaced gun having Charlie's prints on them as not possible - but then, corrupt cops can get at the evidence a little bit later no fuss no muss.
Charlie's penis-with-balls ring (like, on a [middle] finger). Useful.
posted by porpoise at 7:36 PM on March 9, 2023
Charlie's green and pink sequin dress - that is a poppy pattern. Or at least an allusion to one.
Fierce. Especially given Lyonne's history.
The matching heels also have leather soles, not synthetic.
/former cobbler
posted by porpoise at 7:48 PM on March 9, 2023 [3 favorites]
Fierce. Especially given Lyonne's history.
The matching heels also have leather soles, not synthetic.
/former cobbler
posted by porpoise at 7:48 PM on March 9, 2023 [3 favorites]
Holy ... did she stash her cellphone in the 80's shoulder pad pocket of her cocktail dress?
posted by porpoise at 7:55 PM on March 9, 2023
posted by porpoise at 7:55 PM on March 9, 2023
So Exit Stage Death was around Day 315, then The Future of the Sport and The Orpheus Syndrome happen and then she spends the time between summer and winter on Shit Mountain, and it's only Day 368 when she ends up in the hospital?
posted by Etrigan at 7:58 PM on March 9, 2023
posted by Etrigan at 7:58 PM on March 9, 2023
And that her sister basically said "you're a good person, just not to us, so this is your life"
Gotta admit, during that whole spiel, I kept thinking about that jokey tweet asking why everyone condemned deadbeat dads instead of wondering whether the kids had bad vibes. Maybe Clea duVall has bad vibes, okay!
I'm delighted that Charlie managed to get some justice for her friend, though. And I laughed a lot at the FBI guy's "why do you think I'm not arresting you right now?!"
posted by grandiloquiet at 8:33 PM on March 9, 2023 [3 favorites]
Gotta admit, during that whole spiel, I kept thinking about that jokey tweet asking why everyone condemned deadbeat dads instead of wondering whether the kids had bad vibes. Maybe Clea duVall has bad vibes, okay!
I'm delighted that Charlie managed to get some justice for her friend, though. And I laughed a lot at the FBI guy's "why do you think I'm not arresting you right now?!"
posted by grandiloquiet at 8:33 PM on March 9, 2023 [3 favorites]
> Holy ... did she stash her cellphone in the 80's shoulder pad pocket of her cocktail dress?
She stuffed in her bra. It's the official emergency cell phone pocket when lacking pockets or a purse.
posted by desuetude at 8:37 PM on March 9, 2023 [7 favorites]
She stuffed in her bra. It's the official emergency cell phone pocket when lacking pockets or a purse.
posted by desuetude at 8:37 PM on March 9, 2023 [7 favorites]
Right off I have a problem with the replaced gun having Charlie's prints on them as not possible - but then, corrupt cops can get at the evidence a little bit later no fuss no muss.
She was holding the gun in the car ride with Cliff.
posted by oneirodynia at 9:08 PM on March 9, 2023 [4 favorites]
She was holding the gun in the car ride with Cliff.
posted by oneirodynia at 9:08 PM on March 9, 2023 [4 favorites]
Yeah the prints situation was well explained! Cliff set this up very neatly. This episode was tight, very well plotted, great performances, lots of fun. So sad we have to wait like FOREVAIRE for another season but... I'll survive, probably.
I spent the whole episode trying to figure out who Beatrix Hasp's voice was.
God, so emotional to see Clea and Natasha on screen together again!! My extremely queer high school friend group had a pretty clear divide between "people who wanted to be Natasha Lyonne and fuck Clea Duvall" and the reverse. Now we are all old and seeing them, as SISTERS, oh my god. Tears were shed!!
posted by potrzebie at 10:52 PM on March 9, 2023 [7 favorites]
I spent the whole episode trying to figure out who Beatrix Hasp's voice was.
God, so emotional to see Clea and Natasha on screen together again!! My extremely queer high school friend group had a pretty clear divide between "people who wanted to be Natasha Lyonne and fuck Clea Duvall" and the reverse. Now we are all old and seeing them, as SISTERS, oh my god. Tears were shed!!
posted by potrzebie at 10:52 PM on March 9, 2023 [7 favorites]
My extremely queer high school friend group had a pretty clear divide between "people who wanted to be Natasha Lyonne and fuck Clea Duvall" and the reverse.
Haha the very formative But I’m a Cheerleader had a lot of impact in certain circles!
posted by ellieBOA at 1:58 AM on March 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
Haha the very formative But I’m a Cheerleader had a lot of impact in certain circles!
posted by ellieBOA at 1:58 AM on March 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
Felt like a pretty weak finale to me ngl.
Maybe Clea duVall has bad vibes, okay!
In the childhood picture the happy/disatisfied contrast is pretty hilarious so perhaps they've always been this way!
posted by fleacircus at 2:13 AM on March 10, 2023
Maybe Clea duVall has bad vibes, okay!
In the childhood picture the happy/disatisfied contrast is pretty hilarious so perhaps they've always been this way!
posted by fleacircus at 2:13 AM on March 10, 2023
How Poker Face’s Costume Designer Transformed Hollywood’s Most Recognizable Stars [W Magazine]
posted by ellieBOA at 3:54 AM on March 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by ellieBOA at 3:54 AM on March 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
The glove compartment gun bit struck me as an interesting piece of misdirection: Obviously, it's only done to get her fingerprints on the gun, but I was so distracted by the way it clearly demonstrated (both to Cliff and the audience) that not only would Charlie not be the killer, she fundamentally could not be a killer. And it was such a powerful moment and I was so caught up in the emotion of the scene and the acting I forgot the gun completely until the other one turned up in the gift box.
It's a shame we only knew Sterling for a short time, I liked him.
posted by Grangousier at 4:10 AM on March 10, 2023 [9 favorites]
It's a shame we only knew Sterling for a short time, I liked him.
posted by Grangousier at 4:10 AM on March 10, 2023 [9 favorites]
Obviously, it's only done to get her fingerprints on the gun, but I was so distracted by the way it clearly demonstrated (both to Cliff and the audience) that not only would Charlie not be the killer, she fundamentally could not be a killer.
And he only did it after she asked him point-blank (heh) whether he’d killed Natalie and the other guy in the first episode. He decided in that moment Okay, this is actually going to happen, because he was reminded of why he was really bringing her in.
posted by Etrigan at 4:58 AM on March 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
And he only did it after she asked him point-blank (heh) whether he’d killed Natalie and the other guy in the first episode. He decided in that moment Okay, this is actually going to happen, because he was reminded of why he was really bringing her in.
posted by Etrigan at 4:58 AM on March 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
And that her sister basically said "you're a good person, just not to us, so this is your life"
What broke me the most in this scene is how a lot of the strife between the two stems from Charlie's gift to detect lies (and the consequences it had for her eventually). I would need to rewatch, but after Clea Duvall's speech "you're a good person, just not to us, so this your life. We are doing just fine.", Charlie looks like she has a "bullshit" written on her face, and Clea in the reaction shot knows that Charlie knows. But it doesn't change anything.
posted by bigendian at 6:16 AM on March 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
What broke me the most in this scene is how a lot of the strife between the two stems from Charlie's gift to detect lies (and the consequences it had for her eventually). I would need to rewatch, but after Clea Duvall's speech "you're a good person, just not to us, so this your life. We are doing just fine.", Charlie looks like she has a "bullshit" written on her face, and Clea in the reaction shot knows that Charlie knows. But it doesn't change anything.
posted by bigendian at 6:16 AM on March 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
Did anyone recognize the singer who did the Dylan song "Don't Think Twice" during the episode?
posted by Agave at 7:52 AM on March 10, 2023
posted by Agave at 7:52 AM on March 10, 2023
Did anyone recognize the singer who did the Dylan song "Don't Think Twice" during the episode?
Pretty sure it was the Burl Ives version. Ives is sometimes best known as the narrator/singer of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special ("A Holly Jolly Christmas" etc.) But he was a pretty fine country singer, too.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:06 AM on March 10, 2023 [9 favorites]
Pretty sure it was the Burl Ives version. Ives is sometimes best known as the narrator/singer of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special ("A Holly Jolly Christmas" etc.) But he was a pretty fine country singer, too.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:06 AM on March 10, 2023 [9 favorites]
The needle drops have been so great in this show and playing the Burl Ives version of Don't Think was a particularly obscure choice.
posted by octothorpe at 8:19 AM on March 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by octothorpe at 8:19 AM on March 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
I heard Don’t Think Twice for the first time in Station Eleven’s premiere episode and it was just such a perfect needle drop there. It’s good here too!
posted by sixswitch at 11:43 AM on March 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sixswitch at 11:43 AM on March 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
This episode just cemented my long-held belief that Blues Traveler's John Popper is a terrible lyricist.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:00 PM on March 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:00 PM on March 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
He seems to be an enthusiastic user of the rhyming dictionary, though.
posted by Grangousier at 1:01 PM on March 10, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by Grangousier at 1:01 PM on March 10, 2023 [7 favorites]
Yes!! It was incredible Benjamin Bratt managed to deliver those lyrics as a monologue with a straight face. What a pro
posted by potrzebie at 1:02 PM on March 10, 2023 [17 favorites]
posted by potrzebie at 1:02 PM on March 10, 2023 [17 favorites]
I laughed at the first line and managed to follow along with about 80 percent of it. My spouse asked what the reference was. Ever heard someone simultaneously laugh, groan, and swear?
posted by Etrigan at 1:22 PM on March 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 1:22 PM on March 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
This is probably my overactive brain, but did Sterling know perfectly well that Cliff was the corrupting link to Beatrix Hasp and he had him chasing Charlie to get him out of the way?
posted by Grangousier at 1:39 PM on March 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Grangousier at 1:39 PM on March 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
This is probably my overactive brain, but did Sterling know perfectly well that Cliff was the corrupting link to Beatrix Hasp and he had him chasing Charlie to get him out of the way?
I very much doubt it and would roll my eyes extensively if they tried to claim it later for whatever reason. A guy like Sterling doesn't get people out of the way by sending them on a wild goose chase.
posted by Etrigan at 3:18 PM on March 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
I very much doubt it and would roll my eyes extensively if they tried to claim it later for whatever reason. A guy like Sterling doesn't get people out of the way by sending them on a wild goose chase.
posted by Etrigan at 3:18 PM on March 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
I really liked that Charlie didn't use her truth-o-meter to solve anything. She figured out Cliff because of randomly coming across the glow in the dark chips. Not because he lied about anything. That was a cool way to subvert expectations.
posted by Gorgik at 5:08 PM on March 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Gorgik at 5:08 PM on March 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
As two Millenials watching, when Cliff started reciting the lyrics:
My partner: "What is this, like, Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen?"
Me: "It's Blues Traveler."
I have to guess the bulk of his guesses were due to Benjamin Bratt's amazing/hilarious deadpan recital.
posted by kittensyay at 5:55 PM on March 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
My partner: "What is this, like, Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen?"
Me: "It's Blues Traveler."
I have to guess the bulk of his guesses were due to Benjamin Bratt's amazing/hilarious deadpan recital.
posted by kittensyay at 5:55 PM on March 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
I figured the gun in the glove compartment would show up again so I started paying really close attention to the conversations between Cliff and Charlie and noticed how skillful he was at answering some awkward questions without actually lying.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:20 PM on March 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:20 PM on March 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
I noticed that too TWinbrook8. I suppose knowing someone with Charlie's skill has taught him to be very careful in how he phrases his words. Any slip could take him down.
posted by downtohisturtles at 6:48 PM on March 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by downtohisturtles at 6:48 PM on March 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
downtohisturtles: "I noticed that too TWinbrook8. I suppose knowing someone with Charlie's skill has taught him to be very careful in how he phrases his words. Any slip could take him down."
Yeah, I like the episodes where the culprit knows about Charlie’s ability. It turns entire conversations into a game of cat-and-mouse.
posted by savetheclocktower at 9:27 PM on March 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
Yeah, I like the episodes where the culprit knows about Charlie’s ability. It turns entire conversations into a game of cat-and-mouse.
posted by savetheclocktower at 9:27 PM on March 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
When Charlie was calling people, trying to find the FBI agent's phone number in her call history, who were the three people who answered the calls before she got to him? I thought they might have been people from earlier episodes, but I don't think so?
posted by crossoverman at 12:20 AM on March 11, 2023
posted by crossoverman at 12:20 AM on March 11, 2023
I don’t think they were numbers in her call history. She was trying to remember the number, she explained to FBI guy that the last number was something round.
Also: Charlie mingling with the bachelorette party, unenthusiastically waving her hands. Charlie climbing the cellar steps at his sister’s house using her hands again, like she was a kid or a horse.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:47 AM on March 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
Also: Charlie mingling with the bachelorette party, unenthusiastically waving her hands. Charlie climbing the cellar steps at his sister’s house using her hands again, like she was a kid or a horse.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:47 AM on March 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
I laughed at the first line and managed to follow along with about 80 percent of it. My spouse asked what the reference was. Ever heard someone simultaneously laugh, groan, and swear?
I did the same thing.
posted by octothorpe at 8:31 AM on March 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
I did the same thing.
posted by octothorpe at 8:31 AM on March 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
He tracked down the email to fbi@fbi.gov!
Liked that we got Hook the movie in addition to Hook the song.
So we're going to get more Clean DuVall in season 2, right?
posted by the primroses were over at 7:05 PM on March 12, 2023 [8 favorites]
Liked that we got Hook the movie in addition to Hook the song.
So we're going to get more Clean DuVall in season 2, right?
posted by the primroses were over at 7:05 PM on March 12, 2023 [8 favorites]
*Clea, goddammitt autocorrect, put some respect on her name
posted by the primroses were over at 7:12 PM on March 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by the primroses were over at 7:12 PM on March 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Benjamin Bratt Asked to Keep the Penis Ring From the Poker Face Finale (clickbait headline for an excellent interview) [Vulture / Archive]
Poker Face Toes the Thin Blue Line [Vulture / Archive]
posted by ellieBOA at 9:11 AM on March 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
Poker Face Toes the Thin Blue Line [Vulture / Archive]
posted by ellieBOA at 9:11 AM on March 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
I do not understand that bit with the glove compartment. So confused
posted by bunderful at 8:29 PM on March 16, 2023
posted by bunderful at 8:29 PM on March 16, 2023
I do not understand that bit with the glove compartment.
Charlie asked Cliff directly whether he killed the two from the first episode, and instead of admitting to it, he did the bit with the glove compartment, which showed her two things:
1) He is a person who has guns available.
2) She is not a person who can (attempt to) kill someone who she knows is dangerous, even if she believes that he is taking her to be tortured and murdered.
We later learn that it had another effect: He needed her fingerprints on the gun, which he later used (with gloves on) to kill Sterling Senior.
posted by Etrigan at 7:36 AM on March 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
Charlie asked Cliff directly whether he killed the two from the first episode, and instead of admitting to it, he did the bit with the glove compartment, which showed her two things:
1) He is a person who has guns available.
2) She is not a person who can (attempt to) kill someone who she knows is dangerous, even if she believes that he is taking her to be tortured and murdered.
We later learn that it had another effect: He needed her fingerprints on the gun, which he later used (with gloves on) to kill Sterling Senior.
posted by Etrigan at 7:36 AM on March 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
Thank you, Etrigan. I later realized that he was putting her prints on the gun. But the intense emotion of the scene confused me.
Working from what you’ve pointed out, I guess he’s indicating that he could have done it and that he’s not afraid of what she might do about it.
And of course he knows not to lie to her.
posted by bunderful at 11:13 AM on March 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Working from what you’ve pointed out, I guess he’s indicating that he could have done it and that he’s not afraid of what she might do about it.
And of course he knows not to lie to her.
posted by bunderful at 11:13 AM on March 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
The Blues Traveler lyrics absolutely killed me. As a 90’s kid I immediately recognized it and was howling with laughter. But also, Benjamin Bratt delivered it like he was quoting fucking Shakespeare. A+, no notes.
The primroses were over, I didn’t even notice the second Hook (the movie)! Thank you for pointing that out.
posted by bluloo at 10:56 AM on March 21, 2023 [5 favorites]
The primroses were over, I didn’t even notice the second Hook (the movie)! Thank you for pointing that out.
posted by bluloo at 10:56 AM on March 21, 2023 [5 favorites]
Filmier Than Film: How Poker Face cinematographer Steve Yedlin, a self-taught coder, makes digital video look like celluloid. [Vulture / Archive]
posted by ellieBOA at 11:27 AM on March 23, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by ellieBOA at 11:27 AM on March 23, 2023 [5 favorites]
I love how awkward Charlie's exit was from Emily's basement. She gets the lecture from Emily, then has to climb into a utility sink, then out a hatch in the wall under the deck. Hilarious, but also painful.
Re: punching Cliff - Poker Face? Poke his face, amirite?
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 4:58 PM on March 30, 2023 [3 favorites]
Re: punching Cliff - Poker Face? Poke his face, amirite?
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 4:58 PM on March 30, 2023 [3 favorites]
Natasha Lyonne Shows Her Cards: The ‘Poker Face’ Star on Quitting Smoking and Wanting to Play More Feminine Characters [Variety]
posted by ellieBOA at 7:49 AM on April 4, 2023
posted by ellieBOA at 7:49 AM on April 4, 2023
So great, what great music throughout the show. I'm excited for season 2 and this is just an amazingly beautiful spot of TV.
posted by Carillon at 10:28 PM on April 8, 2023
posted by Carillon at 10:28 PM on April 8, 2023
I loved this episode (and season) but two things are bugging me.
Why did Sterling meet Charlie and explain his plan to her in the casino owned by his rivals, when he himself had his entire casino wired for sound for several years. Wasn't there a risk the Hasps would be listening in on him?
And why didn't Charlie at least go and tell Agent Luca that Beatrix called and threatened her? He is hunting Beatrix and it would only have taken her a few minutes as she had literally just left him in the cafe.
Other than that no notes.
posted by roolya_boolya at 2:37 PM on April 15, 2023
Why did Sterling meet Charlie and explain his plan to her in the casino owned by his rivals, when he himself had his entire casino wired for sound for several years. Wasn't there a risk the Hasps would be listening in on him?
And why didn't Charlie at least go and tell Agent Luca that Beatrix called and threatened her? He is hunting Beatrix and it would only have taken her a few minutes as she had literally just left him in the cafe.
Other than that no notes.
posted by roolya_boolya at 2:37 PM on April 15, 2023
Really thorough analysis of Poker Face-its antecedents and its meaning.
posted by miss-lapin at 3:24 PM on May 9, 2023
posted by miss-lapin at 3:24 PM on May 9, 2023
What broke me the most in this scene is how a lot of the strife between the two stems from Charlie's gift to detect lies (and the consequences it had for her eventually).
I noticed that at no point was there a second parent mentioned in Em's life and immediately assumed that Charlie's gift fucked that up. Relationships sometimes - often? - have structural lies.
Man this was a great finale and a great way to set up the next season, keeping the format but not leaving the emotional punch of "Charlie's best friend was murdered" to grow stale. And yeah I want a lot more Clea Duvall, but that's been true since the 90s. What a great scene and a great performance, as well as the meta-level delight of seeing those two together again.
posted by restless_nomad at 6:07 AM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
I noticed that at no point was there a second parent mentioned in Em's life and immediately assumed that Charlie's gift fucked that up. Relationships sometimes - often? - have structural lies.
Man this was a great finale and a great way to set up the next season, keeping the format but not leaving the emotional punch of "Charlie's best friend was murdered" to grow stale. And yeah I want a lot more Clea Duvall, but that's been true since the 90s. What a great scene and a great performance, as well as the meta-level delight of seeing those two together again.
posted by restless_nomad at 6:07 AM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
Really thorough analysis of Poker Face-its antecedents and its meaning.
This was great - and its citation of both Columbo and The Fugitive as influences is important for the structure: the murder based plot gives us a structure for each episode but addition of the on-the-run aspect means that individual episodes have a reason to be self contained (Charlie can't stop for long) and in different locations - meaning we can use different directors and styles. Finally we have Charlie being tailed by agent Luca who is performing a separate operation of bringing the baddies she uncovers to justice. In terms of the future "let's all of us find out togeter" - but as a structure for a TV show - this is gold.
posted by rongorongo at 12:06 AM on January 4 [1 favorite]
This was great - and its citation of both Columbo and The Fugitive as influences is important for the structure: the murder based plot gives us a structure for each episode but addition of the on-the-run aspect means that individual episodes have a reason to be self contained (Charlie can't stop for long) and in different locations - meaning we can use different directors and styles. Finally we have Charlie being tailed by agent Luca who is performing a separate operation of bringing the baddies she uncovers to justice. In terms of the future "let's all of us find out togeter" - but as a structure for a TV show - this is gold.
posted by rongorongo at 12:06 AM on January 4 [1 favorite]
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posted by ellieBOA at 9:46 AM on March 9, 2023 [1 favorite]