I cannot believe what I just witnessed.
This episode was a masterpiece.
I wanted to finish the season before writing any proper review on any of the episodes but I couldn't resist. Going in I thought of the possibility of things getting a little hectic, but I did NOT see this coming.
To start I'd like to touch on some of the more quiet scenes that I enjoyed. The first scene with all the siblings standing outside before entering the storm was a nice moment between the three that was necessary, that also had great foreshadowing of the question that ignited the flames in the end of the episode that I'll get to shortly. Another scene I loved was of Richie and his wife Tiffany. I'm curious of what made their relationship not as strong as it was here, but it was wholesome seeing them happy together, as well as doing the tongue out face their daughter did last episode to show the bond the three have.
I also loved the scenes with the Fak's, Unclr Jimmy, Stevie, and Michelle. Stevie was definitely one of my favorites in this episode and I loved the brightness he brought in comparison to some of the other characters. But an important scene that meant a lot to me was Mike and Carmy in the pantry. Mike asking him about his life was so wholesome and it showed that Mike genuinely cared, and so did Carm with the gift he gave him of the picture. Even before opening it Mike still insisted on knowing more about Carm's life and insisted on 3 things about what his life's been like and that means so much to me knowing he genuinely wanted to know more.
But with that being said, let's get to the peak of this tragic masterpiece. Firstly, GIVE JAMIE LEE CURTIS AN EMMY! Her guest performance in this episode stole the show. The tension she brought to the house could be cut with Carmen's (now T's) knife. My anxiety was so high every scene and her performance deserves to be recognized. And it doesn't end there.
BOB ODENKIRK AND JON BERNTHAL. YOU TALENTED MF'S. I ranted about Jamie being phenomenal but then these two come out of nowhere and took the spotlight as well. Both men who have already perfected some of the greatest roles in TV come back to steal the show in a role they've barely portrayed and it was stunning. At first I thought Bob as Uncle Lee was going to be a bit of comic relief blended with some seriousness but instead we got some season 4 Jimmy McGill level tension with a flare, and that might even be an understatement.
I don't think I've ever been so nervous about a damn FORK in TV history. A UTENSIL had me on the edge of my seat, and if any actor could make me feel that way it's Jon Bernthal. Every time this man picked up another fork I was frightened, and with Lee pushing on it only made things that much more hectic. But then DONNA walks in and everything seemed to be relieved. Hilariously Stevie ended up doing the prayer even though he didn't want it, but there couldn't have been a better man to do it. His words about a Bear were beautiful and it was exactly what needed to be heard. I genuinely thought at that moment that things would end well, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
"Are You Ok?" The question that ironically made everything not ok. One of the first things discussed in this episode ended up being the turning point. My heart dropped when Natalie asked that question and things immediately went to flames. And after that, I thought things legitimately couldn't get worse. UNTIL IT DOES
MICHAEL THROWS THE FORK AT LEE AND ALL HELL BREAKS LOSE. I was going to end this review with the funny line of Stevie at the end of the prayer saying "and for gods sake let's hope Micheal doesn't throw the fork" because I thought it was not only a hilarious moment, but I didn't think he'd actually end up doing it. BUT THEN HE TOOK THE FULL MEASURE (or should I say Fork Measure aha I'm sorry) and threw the fork. Now don't get me wrong I understand Uncle Lee had a point, but there's a time and a place and that was not it. He tried to defuse the situation and while Michael wasn't justified in doing so, Lee should've known better.
But just as things seem to be at the worst, Donna DRIVES A VEHICLE THROUGH THE HOUSE. And at that moment, I was able to sympathize with Carmen more than ever before. Him seeming so timid at times and seeming like he's one push away from losing it, when we had no idea about the depths of his family that we saw portrayed here. Him and Natalie have been victimized to some awful things, and I see them through a new light after this episode.
I adore episode 7 of season 1, but this takes the cake. At least until I finish the final 3 episodes of the season but nonetheless this chaotic Christmas dinner was a masterpiece in television. Give Jamie, Jon, and Bob their Emmy's. Or at the minimum the nomination. I don't care just let people know how phenomenal this was, not just from them but all around. I have no more words.
This episode was a masterpiece.
I wanted to finish the season before writing any proper review on any of the episodes but I couldn't resist. Going in I thought of the possibility of things getting a little hectic, but I did NOT see this coming.
To start I'd like to touch on some of the more quiet scenes that I enjoyed. The first scene with all the siblings standing outside before entering the storm was a nice moment between the three that was necessary, that also had great foreshadowing of the question that ignited the flames in the end of the episode that I'll get to shortly. Another scene I loved was of Richie and his wife Tiffany. I'm curious of what made their relationship not as strong as it was here, but it was wholesome seeing them happy together, as well as doing the tongue out face their daughter did last episode to show the bond the three have.
I also loved the scenes with the Fak's, Unclr Jimmy, Stevie, and Michelle. Stevie was definitely one of my favorites in this episode and I loved the brightness he brought in comparison to some of the other characters. But an important scene that meant a lot to me was Mike and Carmy in the pantry. Mike asking him about his life was so wholesome and it showed that Mike genuinely cared, and so did Carm with the gift he gave him of the picture. Even before opening it Mike still insisted on knowing more about Carm's life and insisted on 3 things about what his life's been like and that means so much to me knowing he genuinely wanted to know more.
But with that being said, let's get to the peak of this tragic masterpiece. Firstly, GIVE JAMIE LEE CURTIS AN EMMY! Her guest performance in this episode stole the show. The tension she brought to the house could be cut with Carmen's (now T's) knife. My anxiety was so high every scene and her performance deserves to be recognized. And it doesn't end there.
BOB ODENKIRK AND JON BERNTHAL. YOU TALENTED MF'S. I ranted about Jamie being phenomenal but then these two come out of nowhere and took the spotlight as well. Both men who have already perfected some of the greatest roles in TV come back to steal the show in a role they've barely portrayed and it was stunning. At first I thought Bob as Uncle Lee was going to be a bit of comic relief blended with some seriousness but instead we got some season 4 Jimmy McGill level tension with a flare, and that might even be an understatement.
I don't think I've ever been so nervous about a damn FORK in TV history. A UTENSIL had me on the edge of my seat, and if any actor could make me feel that way it's Jon Bernthal. Every time this man picked up another fork I was frightened, and with Lee pushing on it only made things that much more hectic. But then DONNA walks in and everything seemed to be relieved. Hilariously Stevie ended up doing the prayer even though he didn't want it, but there couldn't have been a better man to do it. His words about a Bear were beautiful and it was exactly what needed to be heard. I genuinely thought at that moment that things would end well, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
"Are You Ok?" The question that ironically made everything not ok. One of the first things discussed in this episode ended up being the turning point. My heart dropped when Natalie asked that question and things immediately went to flames. And after that, I thought things legitimately couldn't get worse. UNTIL IT DOES
MICHAEL THROWS THE FORK AT LEE AND ALL HELL BREAKS LOSE. I was going to end this review with the funny line of Stevie at the end of the prayer saying "and for gods sake let's hope Micheal doesn't throw the fork" because I thought it was not only a hilarious moment, but I didn't think he'd actually end up doing it. BUT THEN HE TOOK THE FULL MEASURE (or should I say Fork Measure aha I'm sorry) and threw the fork. Now don't get me wrong I understand Uncle Lee had a point, but there's a time and a place and that was not it. He tried to defuse the situation and while Michael wasn't justified in doing so, Lee should've known better.
But just as things seem to be at the worst, Donna DRIVES A VEHICLE THROUGH THE HOUSE. And at that moment, I was able to sympathize with Carmen more than ever before. Him seeming so timid at times and seeming like he's one push away from losing it, when we had no idea about the depths of his family that we saw portrayed here. Him and Natalie have been victimized to some awful things, and I see them through a new light after this episode.
I adore episode 7 of season 1, but this takes the cake. At least until I finish the final 3 episodes of the season but nonetheless this chaotic Christmas dinner was a masterpiece in television. Give Jamie, Jon, and Bob their Emmy's. Or at the minimum the nomination. I don't care just let people know how phenomenal this was, not just from them but all around. I have no more words.