‘Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story’ Episode 2 Recap: “The Turtle and the Alligator”

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June 2, 2020

Episode one of USA Network’s Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story ended with Betty (Amanda Peet) seemingly surprised over the fact it only took one bullet to kill her ex-husband, Dan Broderick (Christian Slater). Episode two, “The Turtle and the Alligator,” picks up with a San Diego Police Department Homicide Detective on the witness stand. He explains he was called to Dan Broderick’s residence in Hillcrest on the morning of November 5, 1989.

A flashback to Eastchester, New York in 1963 shows schoolgirls firing at targets with rifles. One of the girls is Elisabeth Anne Bisceglia, and a priest interrupts her practice and instructs her to return home immediately. Her mom demands to know what she did wrong and only then does Betty realize she’s experiencing her first period and has bled all over her white shorts.

Her mother appears to lack human emotions and very briefly describes how to wear a sanitary napkin, tossing it at the confused young girl. Her mom’s complete lack of empathy is shameful.

Flash forward a few years and Betty’s mom presents a teenage Betty (played by Tiera Dyck-Skovbye) with a new spoon. (Apparently giving your daughter pieces of a serving set spread out over years until it’s complete is a thing. I’ve never heard of this tradition.) The civil discussion of spoons immediately sours when a boy calls on the phone. Her parents accuse her of being a slut, but she has no idea why they’d think that of her.

The story moves forward to South Bend, Indiana in 1965. Betty’s thrilled to be out overnight with friends and without her parents. Although there are chaperones nearby, a young Dan Broderick (Chris Mason) makes his move and introduces himself to Betty by writing his name – Daniel T. Broderick III MDA – on the tablecloth. She questions what MDA stands for and Dan jokes, “Medical doctor, almost.”

Dan’s about to start Cornell Medical School and Betty reveals she’s from New York and will soon be going to Mount St. Vincent. They flirt a little and Dan seems happy she’ll be close to Cornell.

Back to the trial where the detective discusses what happened in his first few minutes at the crime scene. Next, a friend of Betty’s takes the stand and recalls what Betty told her about killing Dan. She says Betty wasn’t sure she actually hurt Dan because he was able to sit up and say, “You shot me. I’m dead.”

The scene takes a jump to San Diego in 1977 as Dan’s being schmoozed while shown around a law firm that’s courting him. Dan’s introduced around as a doctor who went to Harvard Law School. Meanwhile, Betty is invited out for drinks with one of the wives.

The happy couple celebrate with a huge hug and kiss.

Another flashback to the ’60s finds Dan showing up super late for a date. Even though Betty was just about to leave, she quickly gets over her anger. It becomes obvious Dan consistently left Betty waiting and she consistently patiently waited for him to show up.

Days – and romantic dates – go by and Dan and Betty appear to be the perfect young couple. She’s gorgeous, he’s ambitious, and both have bright futures ahead of them. Dan repeatedly asks for her hand and Betty tells him no each time, wanting to finish college first.

And now we learn why this episode’s titled “The Turtle and the Alligator.” Apparently, when Dan wants to make Betty smile, he falls on his back and acts like a turtle. And, yes, he also acts like an alligator. Riddle solved.

Betty finally officially says yes to Dan’s proposal and the big day arrives. The couple wed in Westchester, New York on April 12, 1969. Betty looks stunning in her wedding gown but her mother’s upset about Dan’s attire. He promised to wear the formal morning dress and he’s not. Although her mom believes Dan will “ruin it all,” Betty doesn’t seem either shocked or angry about Dan’s clothing choice.

Her mom tries her best to destroy Betty’s big day but Betty doesn’t let it happen.

We see the happy family that now includes four children removing the “Sold” sign from the front yard of their Coral Reef home. More coverage of the trial follows that heartwarming scene as a friend describes Betty crying as she admitted she fired a gun at Dan’s house. The friend didn’t call the police because she didn’t believe Betty actually shot anyone.

A flashback shows Betty upset that her supervisors at the school have discovered she’s pregnant. She knows she’ll lose her teaching job and they need that to cover food and rent. Dan volunteers to pick up another shift at the lab but Betty thinks she can make up her lost income by selling Tupperware.

Although she’s had a full day teaching, Betty’s off to work at her second job. Dan, who’s driving a taxi to help with the bills, drives her to job #2.

Months pass and Betty’s given birth. Dan watches the baby while studying until Betty gets home from her waitressing job. She loses their second child early into her pregnancy.

While Betty’s mom sends them second-hand clothes for the baby, Dan orders a custom-made coat to wear during rounds. He’s all about looking successful and he wants to order more coats so that Betty doesn’t have to stay up late and spot clean ones. (Dan has a pattern of assuming Betty will do all the domestic work, even suggesting she should make up the hotel room bed during their honeymoon.) Betty attempts to explain they don’t have the money for more coats, but Dan is unconcerned. He claims the coats will last for years.

Years later, Betty and Dan host a BBQ for Dan’s coworkers from the law firm. The women praise Betty’s decorating skills and her ability to impress on just an associate’s salary. Betty’s super charming and praises Dan’s friends as she receives the compliments.

Another flashback (this episode really jumps around a lot) finds Dan confessing he doesn’t want to practice medicine even though he’s spent years (and lots of money) attending med school. He’s decided he wants to be a lawyer instead. He tries to sell the idea but Betty’s confused. Dan explains he’ll be one of the few – maybe the only – lawyers with an MD. He’ll use his knowledge to specialize in medical malpractice litigation.

Dan breaks the news he applied to and was accepted at Harvard. Betty congratulates him but is leery about moving to Boston with two babies (she’s pregnant again). He asks for her patience and promises it will all pay off in the end. The bad news: they’ll have to get a loan because his dad won’t subsidize another degree. The good news: they’ll make much more money in the long run.

“What’s better, Bets – rich or richer?” asks Dan.

The action switches back to Betty as the dutiful wife fulfilling her role among the spouses at the law firm. They genuinely appreciate her planning and organizing skills and place much of the work for an upcoming gala in her hands.

These women seem to believe she and Dan have always had money and have always felt comfortable as part of the gala circuit. Yet another flashback shows just how wrong they are. Betty arrives at their apartment with a toddler, a baby in her arms, and carrying groceries. They’re in Boston now and she complains about the cold while Dan complains about his fellow students. Betty wonders what they can do to make him stand out and he mentions running for student government. That would mean he wouldn’t have time to work, so Betty – ever the dutiful wife – volunteers to step it up since it will help their future.

Betty’s pregnant again and having a miserable time of it. She would like to abort the baby as she’s tossing her cookies and hemorrhaging so much, but Dan refuses to allow it even when she points out they can barely afford the two girls they have now.

She’s exhausted and doesn’t think she has anyone to help, and Dan swears to be there for her. He promises to be more present in their relationship and pitch in more at home. “I’ll take care of you the way you take care of me,” he says as he caresses her face while she cries.

Dan reiterates that they’ll get through this together. Their mantra: image, confidence, success.

Betty’s alone when she experiences tremendous pain. She calls 9-1-1 to get to the hospital and hours later when Dan arrives she learns her baby’s dead.

During the trial, Betty’s dad testifies that Betty told him Dan was driving her up the wall and she felt like committing suicide. Betty never told him where she was or that she had just shot Dan during their phone call. He remembers trying to calm her down but she hung up on him.

Back to happier days, Betty’s pregnant once again. She and Dan laugh as she gets stuck on her back like a turtle.

Once more to the gala timeframe and it’s just days prior to the big event. Betty and her friend discuss Dan’s employment at the firm and how her husband, Martin, enjoys the work. Betty’s shocked to hear her friend say everyone at the law firm eventually becomes greedy, restless, and selfish. If you don’t leave the company, it changes you forever.

Later that evening Dan shows up late after celebrating a win. Betty’s cradling their new baby in bed when Dan wanders in from a long night of drinking with his co-workers. He claims he was pretty much forced to hang out or else be seen as lessor by his fellow lawyers.

Dan and Betty look handsome in their finery at the gala. We aren’t treated to much of the action before the scene cuts to their return home. Betty believes Dan’s talents are being wasted at the firm and he’s being grossly underpaid. She also thinks they’re jealous of his talents and claims he doesn’t need them nearly as much as they need him.

Dan wonders if he should quit and Betty is all in with him opening his own practice.

A short while later they’ve secured a large line of credit ($500,000) and Dan opens his own law office. He’s scared about the jump they’ve just made but Betty is a voice of calm and reason. Dan thinks maybe they bit off too much and he should have set up an office somewhere less expensive. Betty reminds him he has to look like a high-flyer before he can become one.

As they discuss how to decorate his office, Betty throws up. She’s pregnant again.

Betty continues to be extremely supportive, reminding her hubby he can do anything. Dan jokes that if he’s successful, no doctor in San Diego will take them on as patients. He jokes that means they have to live forever.

It turns out he’s close to being correct. When Betty has a visit with the pediatrician, his reaction to the news that Dan Broderick is her husband is to declare she has to have delivery by Caesarian section because it’s the method that allows the doctor the most control over the birth.

Months later, Betty gives birth to their fourth son. While in the hospital she asks Dan if she can have her tubes tied so she doesn’t have to go through this again. It’s too painful and she’s too sick throughout her pregnancies. Dan falls asleep in a chair while she’s trying to express her thoughts. He wakes up enough to agree to whatever she wants.

Betty and her friend from Dan’s old firm have a heart-to-heart and the lady reveals her husband’s cheating on her. He claims it’s not serious and he’s only slept with her a few times, but she isn’t sure this woman is even Martin’s first affair. She doesn’t know who her husband is at this point.

Episode two ends with the detective on the stand revealing Betty fired five rounds. One hit the wall, one hit the nightstand, one was on the rug under Dan’s dead body, and one was under Linda’s dead body. The fifth bullet was located inside Linda’s body at the morgue.

‘Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story’ Episode 1 Recap and Review: “No Fault”

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 2, 2020

As a San Diegan, I vividly recall the media circus surrounding Betty Broderick’s murder trial. USA Network’s chosen to focus on Betty’s side of the messy divorce that led to a double homicide in season two of Dirty John, Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story. Premiering on June 2, 2020 with back-to-back episodes, Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story explores the Brodericks’ marriage, its ultimate failure, and Betty’s emotional and mental breakdown after being tossed aside for a younger, more attractive woman by her uber-successful lawyer husband.

Episode one begins in 1986 in La Jolla, California. For those who aren’t familiar with the area, La Jolla’s one of the wealthiest communities in Southern California. It’s a ritzy city and thanks to Dan Broderick’s legal career, the separated couple owns three homes there as the series begins. One of the homes – the one they bought together and where they raised their children – is on the market.

That home is a major point of contention between Betty (Amanda Peet) and Dan (Christian Slater). He wants to unload it while Betty’s dragging her feet, refusing to sell at what Dan believes is a reasonable price because she thinks it’s priced too low. Her Beverly Hills lawyer, Bob Munro (Andy Buckley), represents her in the deal and suggests this isn’t the hill she wants to die on. She should accept half the asking plus $20,000 to repair the house she’s living in.

Obviously, it’s not the actual dollar amount Betty’s stuck on; it’s the fact they’re selling the family home which makes the whole separation feel more real.

Once they arrive at Dan’s attorney’s office, Betty decides she’s not going to get out of the car. Bob can discuss the deal on her behalf and bring down any paperwork she needs to sign.

Dan’s attorney believes Betty’s being ridiculous and wonders how (and why) Bob’s putting up with her. Bob assures him Betty’s on the lower end of the scale of what he’s seen representing women.

Once Bob returns to the car with the paperwork, Betty tries to put the sale off by declaring she’s going to think about it before signing. She’s decided this is a battle she’s choosing to fight.

During the car ride home, she gets emotional as she tells Bob the Coral Reef house was their first home and the only place where she felt safe. She’s not about to give it up for less than she thinks it’s worth.

Betty explains the house she’s living in now is one Dan told her to buy with the intent of moving the family there. That’s no longer the plan as he has his own expensive house.

Bob suggests she concentrate on channeling her anger elsewhere and think about moving forward from the separation stage to getting through the divorce.

Betty’s parents are visiting from out of town when she returns home. Her dad runs down a list of all the things wrong with the place and she reminds him they bought it for the location and view, knowing it needed work. Her mom complains about the lack of quality furniture and Betty’s forced to explain she has to submit a list to Dan of items she wants in the divorce.

Her young sons are playing nearby but her two teenage daughters are with Dan. Betty’s parents aren’t happy about that, adding another item to Betty’s list to stress about. (Her parents don’t appear to be in the least bit supportive.)

Bob calls with the bad news that Dan sold the house without her permission. He accomplished it behind her back and through legal channels she didn’t realize existed. She believes Dan can get by with anything because of his status in the San Diego legal community. (This won’t be the last time she’s made to feel that way.)

Betty slams down the phone, tells her parents and boys she’ll be right back, and drives over to Dan’s gorgeous home. She bangs on the door and her daughters remind her she’s not allowed to be there due to a court order. Dan drives up at just that moment and demands she leave. He also reminds her she’s in violation of multiple court orders just by showing up at his place.

Betty’s next stop is at the Coral Reef house. (A brief flashback shows how excited the young couple was to move into the place.) She storms into the nearly empty house, finds a gas can, and is ready to light the place on fire when she looks into the dining room. She has a touching memory of the family gathered around the table and doesn’t set the place on fire. Instead, she races off to Dan’s once more and this time she rams her car into his front door. It does damage to the house and the vehicle, and Dan angrily rips her from the car and slams her to the ground.

The police arrive and Dan has Betty taken away for a mental health evaluation. She’s placed under a 72 hold at a psychiatric facility. Her daughters watch as she’s strapped into a straight jacket and put in the back seat of a squad car.

At the facility, she attempts to convince the doctor she’s not crazy. Betty asserts no one will believe her because Dan’s too powerful. As a malpractice attorney, he sues doctors for a living. All it takes is one call and the doctor will side with Dan.

Betty can’t win.

After a weekend locked up, she returns home to find her parents have left. They took off right after Dan came and picked up the boys. During a phone call, her father blames everything that’s happening on her and claims she’s shamed the family.

Later, Betty’s at the grocery store when she runs into two of her society friends. She doesn’t mince words and tells them Dan committed her to a psych ward. She also explains he sold Coral Reef without her permission after he had a judge declare her “an obstruction.”

She admits she was so upset she crashed her car into Dan’s new house. The ladies are sympathetic as she downplays the damage she caused and says Dan can get by with everything because she’s “a woman being divorced in America.” She doesn’t have any rights.

Bob Munro rings up his client and wants to talk about the bill he received from Dan because she caused structural damage to his house. She suggests Dan pay for the damage. Bob drops the bombshell that Dan is also refusing to pay his $10,000 retainer; Dan wants her to fork over her own money.

Betty doesn’t have any income except what she receives from Dan. It’s blatantly obvious he’s trying to teach her a lesson.

After she hangs up, Betty heads outside to greet her kids who are returning from a weekend with their dad. Dan’s friendly enough as he stands in the driveway, sympathetic her parents just left without waiting for her to return. He apologizes for that turn of events and appears genuine when he wonders what they’re going to do next.

Dan suggests they wipe the slate clean. He offers her a vacation with the kids in Keystone and she accepts. “We need to break this pattern we’ve gotten into, for both our sakes,” says Dan. “We also have to try to remember that actions have consequences.”

Relaxed and less anxious after returning from a short vacation with the kids, Betty has lunch with the ladies and fills them in on her divorce. She explains she’s had to go all the way to Los Angeles to get someone who would represent her because of Dan’s influence. Plus, now Dan’s refusing to pay for her attorney.

However, when the ladies point out Dan put her in a mental hospital, Betty actually sticks up for him. He won’t admit it but she’s sure he’s aware he overreacted. Betty’s convinced she and Dan will get back together, but the ladies warn her to protect herself. They also suggest she get a job and reinvent herself, just to show him what he’s missing out on.

They want their old happy friend back – the one they love.

Betty receives a letter from Dan informing her that during their hearing on the 16th he’ll request a bifurcated divorce. He also wants to be the one who evaluates their assets and will assume their debts. In exchange, she agrees to withdraw any claim to his law practice. In addition, he wants primary custody of the children. He won’t pay child support but will pay spousal support.

Betty immediately calls her attorney who explains what this all means. He also reminds her she’s not returning his phone calls and he’s quite sure she doesn’t want him to represent her. He hasn’t been paid and is no longer willing to be her lawyer. Bob tells her that not playing the game isn’t winning – it’s losing.

There is a bright note in Betty’s otherwise depressing life. After a terrific interview, Betty accepts a full-time job at an art gallery.

Dan and Betty meet for lunch and he wants to know why Bob isn’t her lawyer. He’s upset she doesn’t have a lawyer and claims he really shouldn’t even talk to her until she’s represented again. He attempts to leave but Betty briefly halts his exit when she apologizes and promises to find someone. He asks about her new job but then he doesn’t appear overly interested in her answer, leaving without ordering lunch.

Betty attempts to find a new attorney in San Diego but no one will return her call. She sounds desperate as she leaves voice mails, pleading that she needs an attorney by the 16th.

Dan drops off the kids (minus one who’s at a friend’s house) and she learns from her sons they won’t be playing soccer this season. Instead, they’ll be spending two afternoons each week with Dr. Sadler. It turns out they need someone to talk to when they’re upset or scared. When Betty asks what scares them, it’s obvious they’re frightened of their mom. (Thanks to Dan’s input on the subject.)

Betty calls Dan and rants on his answering machine. She starts off sounding normal, but she becomes more enraged, screaming that he’s got the kids telling a psychologist she’s crazy. She reminds him he’s the one who walked out on his family and had a meltdown. She continues with her message, claiming she loves his answering machine because it allows her to speak the truth.

After calling him a sonofabitch, she slams the phone down. Only then does she notice her children are standing in the doorway. They heard everything.

Next, Betty pours out her story to an unseen listener. She explains how she no longer had any reason to get out of bed and that she was lost.

Betty lunches with Marie (Emily Bergl), a close friend who shares divorce horror stories. When Betty says she doesn’t know the date of her hearing, Marie’s confused and concerned. Betty should know the date by now.

Betty explains Dan postponed this one himself. Marie suggests she really needs to check this out and should actually show up at the hearing on the 16th just in case it wasn’t postponed. She also suggests Betty talk to the judge and explain the trouble she’s having obtaining an attorney. However, Betty seems to believe she and Dan will get back together and this will soon be all behind them.

And speaking of that hearing, Betty’s friend nailed it. It wasn’t postponed and Dan and his attorney are there joking around with the judge who is obviously a friend. Dan acts like he expects Betty to show up and when she doesn’t the judge sides with Dan on everything he’s requested. He grants Dan a divorce, custody of the four children, and Dan can decide the value of their assets.

Once more we see Betty pouring her heart out to an unseen listener. She equates divorce to war and confesses she never hated Dan. She hated what he did to her but didn’t actually hate him. She continues to be convinced that one day “he’ll see reality for what it is.” She adds, “I can’t make him do that…I can’t make him wake up.”

At that point it’s revealed she’s speaking to a police detective and she’s already killed Dan Broderick. She agrees that she did already give them a statement admitting her guilt, despite what she just said. She then confesses, “I’m amazed it only took one bullet to kill Dan Broderick.”

Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story Review:

Episode one does a terrific job of setting up the relationship between Dan and Betty, focusing on the critical last days of their marriage. Subsequent episodes will fill in the blanks and provide a much more in-depth dive into Betty’s psychological breakdown as Dan exploits the law to rob her of her children, her reputation, and all semblance of the life she embraced during their lengthy marriage.

The title gives away who’s side viewers will be on throughout the season. Dan doesn’t come across well and although Betty is no saint – and displays zero impulse control – she’s the one you’ll be pulling for even while fully aware of the story’s real-life tragic outcome. Meanwhile, Betty’s other murder victim, Linda Kolkena Broderick (a criminally underutilized Rachel Keller), comes across as a one-dimensional other women/scheming trophy wife in this drama.

Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story is a compelling glimpse at the life of a woman scorned, a woman thrown away after her beauty and youth faded. Amanda Peet delivers a riveting performance as she captures the downward spiral of a wife and mother who’s had the rug very publicly ripped out from under her feet.

‘Roswell, New Mexico’ Season 2 Episode 11 Recap: “Linger”

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 1, 2020

Roswell New Mexico Season 2 Episode 11 — Cleo Anthony as Diego and Jeanine Mason as Liz in ‘Roswell, New Mexico’ season 2 episode 11 (Photo: John Golden Britt © 2020 The CW Network, LLC)

After a two-week break, The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico returns with season two episode 11, “Linger.” The episode begins with a flashback to Liz’s ex-boyfriend Diego (Cleo Anthony) bringing her food while she’s buried in her research. He’s impressed with her intellect and calls her extraordinary. He’d planned a much more romantic setting but believes now’s the time to propose. Dropping to one knee, he asks Liz (Jeanine Mason) to marry him. Her response: showering him with kisses before finally saying yes.

And now we’re back to current events with Liz’s alarm waking her up at the lab. Max (Nathan Parsons) also wakes up with a start and deposits a second empty vial into a box. Shortly thereafter, the two meet up at the café. Liz is a bit confused as to how Max got in before the place opens and a peppy Isobel (Lily Cowles) explains her brain can pick locks now. Besides, they were supposed to meet at 6am before the CrashCon crowds arrive.

Liz is shocked to see Max wearing sweats and he confesses he’s ready to start working on his cardio. Liz lies and says she stayed at Maria’s overnight and then points out they should fix Isobel up with someone. Diego’s brought up and Liz reveals Max only started working out since meeting Liz’s hunky ex.

Max fills Isobel in on the status of the abduction case, explaining Cam was injected with butyricol which is a rare memory-erasing drug. They think Cam was abducted to lure Charlie out of hiding. Isobel wonders if they’ve consulted Alex, but Liz says he’s out of town. (They aren’t aware he’s been kidnapped.)

Speaking of Alex, Michael (Michael Vlamis) finds the napkin with alien symbols that Alex had shown him. It’s stuck to his boot and there are spots that look like blood on it.

Max takes off to start his early shift at The Wild Pony when Liz gets a text and remembers she was supposed to have taken Rosa her sketchbooks. Isobel, still being super friendly and helpful, volunteers to go on a road trip to drop them off. As they’re about to go their separate ways, Diego shows up and Isobel is obviously impressed by his appearance.

Diego has decided not to leave town until Liz’s dad is in the clear. He offers to use his connections to powerful lawyers and Liz is thankful. Isobel interrupts, all flirty and introducing herself while offering up any and all of her services.

Over at the hospital, Kyle Valenti (Michael Trevino) is called into the Dean of Surgery’s office. His co-workers give him a hard time about it.

Liz is busy with orders in the kitchen when Diego announces he’s figured out they can develop something that will counteract the loss of memory. One of the cooks tries to shoo Liz and Diego out of the kitchen – the place is hopping and they’re taking up space. Diego volunteers to butter the guy’s buns. (No one in their right mind would resist that offer!)

Michael heads over to Alex’s place and the door’s cracked open. He spots Alex’s dad, Jesse (Trevor St. John), snooping around the living room and Jesse immediately whips out his gun. Michael doesn’t hesitate and uses his powers to disarm Jesse and shove him into the wall.

Michael demands to know where Alex is and Jesse claims he has no idea. Alex is disabled and has PTSD, and Jesse just learned he didn’t make it to Andrews Air Force base. Michael’s not falling for it and threatens Jesse, but Jesse continues to claim they both want the same thing: Alex back, safe and sound.

Isobel arrives with Rosa’s sketchbooks and the news that she ate the pan dulces Rosa’s dad prepared on the drive over. Fortunately, Isobel was only joking and Rosa isn’t forced to beat up an alien. Isobel also admits she really wants to know what’s in Rosa’s sketchbooks/journals in case anything in there is about her. She wonders what’s in there from the “whole Noah thing.”

Surprisingly, Rosa agrees she can look at them. She might even answer questions…maybe.

Meanwhile, Max is tending bar and Kyle’s stress-eating at The Wild Pony. Kyle’s not in a great mood and wants to drown his sorrows in whiskey. Apparently, he was suspended for taking hospital resources for his personal use. Max reluctantly calls Kyle a good person before laying out what he really wants; he needs to know if Project Shepherd is connected to the abductions. Alex is out of town or else he would have turned to him.

A flashback shows Liz and Diego quietly celebrating a grant that will allow Liz to save lives. She’s overcome with emotion and reveals her younger self would never have dreamed this would happen. When Diego asks what she really wants, she immediately says a Nobel Prize. She then adds she wants citizenship for her dad so he doesn’t have to live scared and she wants to be less angry.

In present-day, Liz bluntly asks Diego why he’s helping her. He swears he’s happy and has a good life, but he does miss talking to her about her work. He really, really wants to know about her secret experiment. She lays out a hypothetical surrounding her work.

Over at Alex’s research hub, Kyle and Max search through Alex’s work. Max admits it’s a long shot and that he didn’t look into Alex’s research before because he wasn’t sure he wanted to learn things about himself. Kyle’s still drinking whiskey as Max suggests they head over to Liz’s lab, box up the stuff, and give it back to the hospital. Maybe that will help get Kyle’s suspension lifted. Kyle tries to blow off Max’s offer to help but it doesn’t work.

Jesse’s standing next to his car in a building when Flint (Kiowa Gordon) drives up. As soon as he hops out of the car, Jesse pulls a gun on him and demands to know what he did with Alex. Michael secretly listens from outside as Flint reveals Alex is safe. Flint knows his dad kidnapped Alex and locked him in his basement and he refuses to give Alex back. Flint reminds his dad that he taught him all his life to hate and destroy aliens.

Jesse glances over at Michael who’s outside peering through a broken window. Jesse claims he was wrong and Flint gets back in his car, telling his dad he doesn’t need him for what comes next.

After Flint pulls away, Michael grabs Jesse’s cane and hits him with it. He’s furious Jesse had Alex secured in his basement after kidnapping him. Michael suddenly realizes that if Flint gave Alex back his dad would have killed him! Alex is a loose end and can’t be allowed to live.

Michael becomes emotional as he snarls at Jesse that Alex has evolved past them both, despite how Jesse treated him while he was growing up. Tossing his cane away, Michael leaves but not before telling Jesse he doesn’t deserve to call Alex his son.

Kyle was unable to put Max off and the two show up at Liz’s lab. Max wants to do one good thing today but when Kyle very reluctantly attempts to open the lab using his handprint, it denies him access. He thinks Liz might have been mad about the pollen in his mom’s perfume and had his access revoked.

Max and Kyle kick ideas back and forth as they return to the car. Max wonders if maybe the abductions don’t have anything to do with Project Shepherd and instead are all military operations. A drug that removes and replaces short-term memories would definitely be useful to the military. It could even be used as a weapon.

They both land on the fact that Flint Manes doesn’t really do much for Project Shepherd since it’s not active. Plus, he’s a weapons specialist. They decide to find out what he’s up to.

Over at the diner, Diego is suspiciously persistent about obtaining details of Liz’s research. A flashback shows after she would lose funding for grants once the research progressed from worms to human cells, Diego would try to get her to accept a grant from Genoryx. He claimed it played loose with the FDA guidelines, but Liz refused to do anything shady or secret.

Diego’s still pushing Genoryx which is where he works. However, Liz still believes the company’s unethical.

Two ICE agents stroll into the diner and Liz says, “Oh hell no.”

Michael speeds after Flint’s car and uses his powers to give Flint’s car a flat tire, forcing him to stop. He then disarms Flint just as he did Jesse. He knocks him out by using his mind to fling Flint against his own car. Michael isn’t screwing around.

Rosa and Isobel go through Rosa’s sketchbook and it brings back an assortment of memories. Rosa takes off her necklace and allows Isobel to see her memories. She shares a memory of attending an AA meeting and hearing her mom talk about loving someone other than the man Rosa always thought was her dad. It was painful for Rosa to hear she wasn’t Arturo’s daughter. She confesses she shared that particular memory so Isobel would know that she understands what it must be like to not know her mom – she wishes she knew hers less.

Liz hurries into the kitchen and tells the cook to leave, indicating the ICE agents nearby. She returns to the dining area to suggest they take their coffees to go, and they insult her with disgusting racist remarks. When one says she’d be pretty if it weren’t for her ugly mouth, Liz delivers a verbal lashing. She threatens to pull in the ACLU, her lawyer, and reveals she knows his niece goes to a school in a district she doesn’t live in. When he calls her a bitch, Liz demands he listen up. She unleashes another verbal takedown and then when the agent goes full-on racist, Diego steps in. He tells the agents he’s close with the acting director of U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement who happens to be a friend of the family.

Max and Kyle break into Flint’s place looking for anything related to the Camerons. Kyle quickly discovers something labeled Yucca Blooms Ltd but doesn’t tell Max what he found. Instead, he secretly slips it in his pocket. Before they can do any further investigating, they hear a car pull up outside.

They’re hiding in a closet listening to someone walk around the house when Max spots a rifle and scope just like the one used to shoot at him while he was trying to retrieve Cam with Charlie. The door closes and they exit the closet but not before Kyle tells Max he smells like rain. Weird.

Kyle rushes to the window and sees the hunting van drive away. Max wants to get back to town ASAP.

Rosa calls her mom and Dirk answers. She doesn’t say anything as he desperately asks if it’s Helena. Rosa learns just from listening to the panic in his voice that her mom’s gone missing.

Isobel doesn’t want to take the blame for helping her break out of rehab and tells her so as the two drive home. Rosa’s worried her mom is one of the abducted or maybe her mom just bailed on her new family. Either way, she’s done with rehab in a week anyway even though she’d like to stay until she’s all better. Isobel has decided she needs to figure out how to put Noah’s money to good use. She’s committed herself to following in her mother’s footsteps and helping others, and wants to help Rosa heal.

Before they head home, Isobel wants to check in on Michael at the junkyard.

It turns out Michael isn’t at the junkyard but is zapping Flint with one of his own weapons to get info on Alex’s whereabouts. Michael says he was forced out of being a peaceful guy, out of having a family and starting a dad band. He was provoked and that peaceful future is gone. Flint calls Alex a traitor who’s sure to face a court-martial before it’s all over.

Flint warns Michael that if he doesn’t do what he says, Alex will die knowing Michael’s the reason. Flint demands an apology and to be untied.

As Liz and Diego are cleaning the diner, he continues to tell her she should sign up with Genoryx. She could even work in a sanctuary city and they’d sponsor Arturo’s citizenship. Max shows up to interrupt the conversation and Diego heads out for the night.

Max fills Liz in on what he’s learned about Flint’s connection to butyricol. Alex’s other brother, Greg, revealed Flint has a property outside of town, owns a hunting van, and was the sniper the night they found Cameron. Max also found the box Arturo kept her grandmother’s ring in in the trash outside Flint’s place. Max got the ring back but not the box which Helena kept.

Liz reveals Rosa was concerned their mother’s disappeared. Max thinks Flint’s now trying to get to Liz (who he calls a bioengineering genius) by kidnapping her mom. Liz claims it won’t work since she doesn’t care about her mom.

Liz realizes there’s something up that Max isn’t talking about. He finally explains he knows Maria was gone last night which means she lied about where she spent the night. Liz quickly says she wasn’t with Diego, but Max didn’t think it had anything to do with him. He’s connected the fact Kyle’s locked out of Liz’s lab with Liz’s lies. He wants to know why she lied about no one accepting her applications when he found two notices of grant offers in his trash. Liz claims she doesn’t want to go back to worms or mice or rats. She confesses she’s developing a rapid treatment for a rare blood disease to help Kyle’s girlfriend.

Max can’t believe Liz wants to risk alien DNA falling into the wrong hands through her research. She attempts to explain that the DNA is in her hands and begs him to trust her. Max points out she’s only asking now because she was caught in a web of lies.
Rosa and Isobel arrive with new information as the argument heats up. They found a note at Michael’s that was written in Helena’s handwriting. Helena wasn’t kidnapped; she’s working with Flint!

Michael meets with Helena and as she’s introducing herself, she plunges a syringe into his arm. It contains a drug developed at Caulfield that inhibits his powers. He demands to see Alex and she promises he will – after he builds her a bomb.

‘The Wretched’ Movie Review

By

Kevin Finnerty

-

May 31, 2020

John-Paul Howard stars in ‘The Wretched’ (Photo Courtesy of IFC Midnight. An IFC Midnight Release)

Almost everyone has had the experience of dealing with a bad neighbor but poor 17-year-old Ben’s situation is worse than most. Ben’s forced to go up against his creepy, evil neighbor…an ancient witch…in the 2020 horror film, The Wretched.

The film begins with Ben (John-Paul Howard), a rebellious teenager, on his way to stay with his father, Liam (Jamison Jones). He’s heading to his dad’s place for the summer to work at the local marina to learn discipline. Apparently, he’s been acting out after his parents’ separation.

Ben meets and quickly befriends Mallory (Piper Curda), who also works at the marina, as well as young Dillon (Blane Crockarell) – his neighbor’s son. He also makes a few enemies among the spoiled rich kids in the area who target Ben with their mean juvenile humor.

As if he didn’t already have enough issues to deal with, Ben begins to notice his dad’s neighbor, Abbie (Zarah Mahler), is acting strangely. One night after coming home late from the marina, Ben finds Abbie’s son Dillon hiding in his room, terrified. Dillon reveals Abbie’s acting scary and when Abbie shows up at the front door asking if Dillon’s inside, Ben lies and tells her he hasn’t seen him. Abbie’s facial expression and demeanor suddenly change and she threatens Ben, calling him a stupid child. Ben stands his ground and keeps the screen door locked until Abbie’s husband arrives and Dillon runs to him, saying he wants to go home.

Worried about Dillon’s safety, Ben begins spying on Abbie and her family. He also does some investigating on the internet after seeing a weird mark carved into the ground outside Abbie’s front door and discovers it’s the symbol of a thousand-year-old witch. Realizing the witch has taken over Abbie’s body, Ben sets out to try to save Dillon and protect his family – and Mallory – from the witch after realizing she’s onto him and is now after them as well.

The Wretched is a slightly effective horror film that’s creepy and suspenseful. Unfortunately, it becomes muddled when it loses track of the main plot while focusing on the main character’s various relationships. The film also seems to lean on ideas from some classic – and not-so-classic – suspense and horror films such as Rear Window, Sinister, and Lights Out.

John-Paul Howard is effective as Ben, the brooding and defiant teenager who’s already in over his head just trying to deal with his parents’ separation when he finds himself in a deadly fight with a thousand-year-old witch. Ben’s concern for his neighbor’s son and the fear of realizing no one will believe him as the witch starts to target his family makes his character likable and believable.

Zarah Mahler gives the best performance in The Wretched as first Abbie, the nature-loving mother to Dillon, and as the witch who’s taken over her body. Her body movements, demeanor, and facial expressions are truly disturbing and chilling.

The direction and pacing of the film is jerky and unbalanced, with writer/directors Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce going back and forth from the teenage angst and rebellion story to an eerie and menacing horror film. The film is strongest when it stays focused on the witch next door.

The Wretched is a mildly frightening, albeit forgettable, horror film that should give its audience a few goosebumps.

GRADE: B-

MPAA Rating: Not rated

Running Time: 96 minutes

Studio: IFC Midnight

‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Season 7 Episode 2 Photos: Preview of “Know Your Onions”

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 29, 2020

The final mission continues with Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season seven episode two. Episode two, “Know Your Onions,” was directed by Eric Laneuville from a script by Craig Titley. “Know Your Onions” will air on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT.

The season seven cast includes Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Chloe Bennet as Daisy Johnson, and Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons. Iain De Caestecker plays Agent Leopold Fitz, Henry Simmons is Director Alphonso “Mack” MacKenzie, Natalia Cordova-Buckley is Elena “Yo-Yo” Rodriguez, and Jeff Ward plays Deke Shaw.

Episode two guest stars include Joel Stoffer, Tobias Jelinek, Darren Barnet, Nora Zehetner, and Patton Oswalt.

“Know Your Onions” Plot: With the identity of the timeline-unraveling “thread” revealed, the team’s mission to protect him at all costs leads each agent to question their own values. Is preserving the future of the world as they know it worth the destruction they could prevent?

The Season 7 Plot, Courtesy of ABC:

Coulson and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. are thrust backward in time and stranded in 1931 New York City. With the all-new Zephyr set to time-jump at any moment, the team must hurry to find out exactly what happened. If they fail, it would mean disaster for the past, present and future of the world.

Agents of SHIELD season 7 episode 2 — Chloe Bennet in ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ season 7 episode 2 (ABC/Mitch Haaseth)

‘Council of Dads’ Season 1 Episode 6: Photos, Cast, Plot, and Trailer

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 29, 2020

Tom Everett Scott returns to guest star in NBC’s Council of Dads season one episode 6. “Heart Medicine” will air on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 8pm ET/PT.

The season one cast includes Sarah Wayne Callies as Robin Perry, Clive Standen as Anthony Lavelle, J. August Richards as Oliver Post, and Michael O’Neill as Larry Mills. Michele Weaver is Luly Perry, Steven Silver is Evan Norris, Emjay Anthony is Theo Perry, Thalia Tran is Charlotte Perry, and Blue Chapman is JJ Perry.

“HEART MEDICINE” Plot – The Perry family and the Council all come together when Charlotte needs emergency surgery. Luly has a powerful meeting with her original adoptive parents that will change her life.

The Season 1 Plot, Curtesy of NBC:

Family takes on a different meaning in this transformative and inspirational new drama when Scott Perry, a loving father of five, has his entire life’s plan thrown into upheaval by an unexpected health scare. He calls on a few of his most trusted friends to step in as back-up dads to help guide and support his growing family – just in case he ever can’t be there to do it himself.

There’s Anthony, Scott’s oldest and most loyal friend; Larry, his tough-love AA sponsee; and Oliver, his dedicated doctor and wife’s dearest friend. Together, they discover that there’s more to being a father than anyone could do alone – and more to being a family than they ever thought possible.

Council of Dads Season 1 Episode 6 — Clive Standen as Anthony Lavelle and Michele Weaver as Luly Perry in ‘Council of Dads’ episode 6 (Photo by: Seth F. Johnson/NBC)

‘Blindspot’ Season 5 Episode 4 Photos, Plot Details and Trailer

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 29, 2020

NBC’s Blindspot continues with season five episode four, “And My Axe!” Episode four will air on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT.

The cast is led by Jaimie Alexander as Jane Doe. Sullivan Stapleton is Kurt Weller, Rob Brown is Edgar Reade, Audrey Esparza is Tasha Zapata, Ashley Johnson is Patterson, Ennis Esmer is Rich Dotcom, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio plays Madeline Burke.

“AND MY AXE!” Plot – In order to stop a terrorist group from procuring a deadly chemical weapon, the team must remember key details from their first days at the FBI. Meanwhile, Weller worries after he gets scary news about the health of his daughter.

The Blindspot Plot:

A beautiful woman is found naked in Times Square, her memory erased, her body covered in a series of coded tattoos. But as “Jane Doe” and the FBI team who discovered her work to decipher, investigate and solve the complex treasure map of her body, an ever-widening web of conspiracy and corruption is revealed, as is the truth behind Jane Doe’s real identity and the identity of the people who sent her to the FBI in the first place. But what does this nefarious group really want? And can Jane and her teammates stop them in time?

Blindspot Season 5 Episode 4 — Jaimie Alexander as Jane Doe and Sullivan Stapleton as Kurt Weller in ‘Blindspot’ season 5 episode 4 (Photo by: Warner Brothers/NBC)

‘Burden of Truth’ Season 3 Episode 3 Photos: Preview of “No Fathers or Sons”

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 29, 2020

The CW’s released new photos and plot details for season three episode three of Burden of Truth. Episode three, “No Fathers or Sons,” was directed by Kelly Makin from a script by Felicia Brooker. The episode’s set to air on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 8pm ET/PT.

The cast is led by Kristin Kreuk as Joanna Chang and Peter Mooney as Billy Crawford. Meegwun Fairbrother plays Officer Owen Beckbie, Anwen O’Driscoll is Taylor Matheson, Sera-Lys McArthur is Kodie Chartrand, Dayle McLeod is Kat Carmichael, and Paul Braunstein plays Sam Mercer.

“No Fathers Or Sons” Plot – BILLY RUNS INTO HIS ESTRANGED FATHER – Billy’s (Peter Mooney) unexpected encounter with his estranged father is tense. Meanwhile, Joanna (Kreuk) deals with the results of Kodie’s (Sera-Lys McArthur) custody hearing.

The Season 3 Plot, Courtesy of The CW:

Burden of Truth is a serialized investigative drama about life-altering legal cases, the helpless plaintiffs searching for answers, and the boots-on-the-ground lawyers fighting incredible odds to deliver justice.

In season three, Joanna Chang and Billy Crawford are working together in their new boutique law firm, Crawford Chang, but they’re discovering that living and litigating together has its challenges. On a cathartic trip back to Millwood for a class reunion, an old friend, Kodie, turns Joanna’s life upside down when her children are removed by Millwood Family Services. Kodie believes she is the victim of a conspiracy and pleads for Joanna to help solve the case and bring her children back.

To help her friend, Joanna must dig into the dark underbelly of Millwood to unearth evidence of a cluster of child apprehensions. Joanna will take on an impossible-to-win case that will force her to confront a long-buried secret from her childhood that may threaten her relationship and partnership with Billy. After this case, nothing will be the same again.

Burden of Truth Season 3 Episode 3 — Kristin Kreuk as Joanna Chang in ‘Burden of Truth’ season 3 episode 3 (Photo: 2020 Cause One Productions Inc. and Cause One Manitoba Inc)

‘The 100’ Season 7 Episode 3 Photos: Preview of “False Gods”

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 29, 2020

The final season of The CW’s The 100 continues with episode three, “False Gods.” Season seven episode three was directed by Tim Scanlan from a script by Kim Shumway and will air June 3, 2020.

Season seven stars Eliza Taylor as Clarke, Bob Morley as Bellamy, Marie Avgeropoulos as Octavia, Lindsey Morgan as Raven, and Richard Harmon as Murphy. Tasya Teles is Echo, Shannon Kook plays Jordan, JR Bourne is Russell Lightbourne VII, Shelby Flannery is Hope Diyoza, and Chuku Modu plays Dr. Gabriel Santiago.

“False Gods” Plot: UNEXPECTED THREAT – As Raven (Morgan) faces an unexpected threat, Clarke (Taylor) must keep the peace among opposing factions in Sanctum.

A Look Back at Season 6, Courtesy of The CW:

For five seasons, our heroes did whatever it took to survive on Earth…and nothing worked. Earth was unsurvivable, lost to them forever. What was not lost: hope. After 125 years in cryosleep, traveling through the stars, our heroes woke up to a new home, a final gift from dearly-departed friends. A place where they can try again. They’re given one simple task: do better. Be the good guys.

With this credo in mind Clarke and Bellamy lead a group down to this mysterious world, hoping to start anew, to finally find peace. But old habits die hard and when they stumble across an idyllic society, it quickly becomes clear that not everything on Sanctum is as perfect as it seems. Despite their determination to do better, threats both seen and unseen will once again force our heroes to fight for their lives and the future of humanity.

The 100 Season 7 Episode 3 — Adina Porter as Indra and Eliza Taylor as Clarke in ‘The 100’ season 7 episode 3 (Photo: Dean Buscher / 2020 The CW Network, LLC)

‘Ozark’ Season 3 Episode 3 Recap: “Kevin Cronin Was Here”

By

Alison Helms

-

May 28, 2020

Ozark Season 3 Episode 3 — Jason Bateman and Laura Linney in ‘Ozark’ season 3 episode 3 (Photo by Steve Dietl/Netflix)

We slip into Netflix’s Ozark season three episode three with a scene of Wendy (Laura Linney) playing fetch with a dog while REO Speedwagon plays in the background. She’s suddenly driving singing happily to REO Speedwagon when she pulls over and takes a dead dog out of her trunk. Marty (Jason Bateman) pulls up and calls her name. When he questions what she’s doing, she shoots him. She wakes and realizes it’s a dream/nightmare.

While Marty and Wendy are getting ready the next morning, he asks if she needs help talking to the cartel about the new casino. Wendy declines, informing him Helen’s going with her. She thinks he can help her out by dealing with the REO Speedwagon person instead. Marty changes the subject and reveals she yelled “I can’t!” in her sleep last night. She says, “Hmmm,” and walks away.

Wendy and Helen (Janet McTeer) are driving and it seems Helen is up to something. Wendy’s asking her how her ex is doing, and Helen changes the subject asking how things are going with her and Marty. Wendy admits they’re a little disconnected at the moment. Helen tells her the same thing happened to her and her ex when she started to eclipse him professionally. Wendy denies she’s eclipsing Marty. Helen insists she is. Wendy reminds her they can’t do any of this without him.

Wendy and Helen are addressing the employees of the casino they purchased when Carl and Anita arrive. Anita’s pissed and demands to know what the hell they’re doing. They reveal they have plans to shut it down. Helen informs them they reneged on giving them the hotel with the casino, so Carl and Anita won’t make money without a casino. Anita reminds them they’ll lose a fortune as well. Wendy, with her condescending smile, says, “Hmm, we can afford that.” Not finished yet, she smugly adds, “We are bigger than you are and we are meaner. And we do not lose.”

Anita still refuses to sell them the hotel.

Marty’s in the office at the casino when a very pregnant FBI agent comes in and introduces herself as Agent Maya Miller (Jessica Frances Dukes). She asks for a tour of the casino and while he’s showing her around, she explains what will be happening for full transparency. She has a team of forensic accountants at the tables counting chips and they’ll be checking them with his receipts as well as checking his cash boxes. She warns him if she leaves and there’s a sudden jump in revenue, she’ll come back with a new warrant and they’ll start this dance all over again.

Marty finds Ruth (Julia Garner) to tell her he doesn’t know how they’re going to move money with the FBI agent there. Ruth, still mad, asks if that’s why he called her up there. Stammering a bit, he begins to apologize for yelling at her for helping Wendy. Ruth being Ruth responds, “No sh*t.”

He asks her to start moving money into the new casino. Ruth seems confused because Wendy said the new casino is supposed to be clean. He acknowledges he knows this, but it has to happen. Ruth, wanting to get things straight, asks, “You’re asking me to not tell your wife?” Marty replies, “In a nutshell.”

Their conversation is cut short by Ben (Tom Pelphrey) and Jonah (Skylar Gaertner) asking for the boat keys. Ben takes the opportunity to try and ask Ruth out. Ruth wonders if he’s joking with her and Marty cuts them off by telling Ben and Jonah to have a good time and be safe. After they walk away, Ruth says to Marty, “He’s f*ckin weird.” Marty simply replies, “Yes, he is.”

Back to his question for Ruth, he asks if she could move $250,000. She says she can with the help of five or six guys.

Marty’s walking around the casino watching the FBI agents when he gets a call from Ruth sarcastically telling him he did a great job communicating with his wife…she closed the casino. He’s clearly in the dark and asks what she means. She reveals it’s closed and locked up. Just then the manager for REO Speedwagon shows up to talk to Marty and he has to end his call with Ruth. But before ending the call Ruth tells Marty to get his sh*t together.

Frank Cosgrove shows up to talk to Marty at the office and Wendy is the only one there. Charlotte’s standing there when Frank attempts to discreetly tell Wendy his guys were supposed to start work on the newly purchased casino, but it was shut down. Now it’s Wendy’s turn not to be in the loop. Clearly, she has no clue what he’s talking about. Again, trying to be discreet while Charlotte is standing there, he informs Wendy they didn’t do what they did out of charity. Finally, he asks Charlotte to fetch him a cup of coffee.

After she leaves, Frank asks Wendy why he gets the idea she has no clue what he’s talking about. She confesses she doesn’t know, so he suggests she better talk to her husband about it. After assuring him she will, Wendy pulls out the checkbook to pay him. As she writes the check, she questions how he knew the casino was closed. He says the blonde (meaning Ruth) and his guys were supposed to be moving money over there. Wendy tells Frank from now on he’ll be dealing with her on this and not Marty. “I don’t care. As long as the checks clear,” he says before walking out.

Marty and Wendy participate in another session with their therapist and Marty claims he’s trying to help out. Wendy, without the least hint she realizes she’s being ironic, says, “No, you’re going behind my back.” She reveals she had an interesting conversation with Frank. She continues with how he went behind her back – unaware or unwilling to address the irony of the situation.

Marty insists he’s trying to protect his family after he begged and pleaded with her not to go ahead with the new casino. Wendy, really showing her true colors, says she’s tired of that excuse. Marty begins to let her have it. “I’m asking you for f*cking help on a problem that you created and you’re not helping,” he yells.

Sue (Marylouise Burke) the therapist jumps in and asks Marty what it would look like if he didn’t interfere with Wendy’s project. Marty, giving it to her straight, says, “I think that would look like death.” Sue, obviously not aware of what they are fighting about, asks what it would really look like. Marty, with a straight face, replies, “Really death.”

Sue’s apparently taking his request from when he asked her to go a little harder on him seriously, just so Wendy doesn’t get suspicious that he’s bribing their therapist. She begins to explain Wendy’s a strong woman and he should respect that, trust her, and not stifle her.

After the session ends, Marty returns and demands to know what the hell that was about. Sue informs him he was the one who told her to let Wendy win a couple. He claims he meant small things and as he’s taking his money out to pay her, she confesses she thought Wendy was right. Marty replies, “I don’t give a f*ck.” Sue points out that he’s yelling at her and he lets her know it’s because he’s angry.

Back home, the Byrdes plus Ben sit down for dinner and Marty and Wendy are clearly mad and not speaking to each other. Ben attempts to get a conversation going by asking what everyone did that day. No one answers so he goes on about his day with Jonah.

Wendy excuses herself when her phone rings and it’s Navarro. He starts off with polite conversation, asking if they’re having dinner. She changes the subject, informing him they’re awfully close to getting the hotel. Navarro lets her know his girlfriend just had their baby. He wants for him what he wants for all his kids and he needs to know how he’ll get that if she shuts down his new casino. She informs him she has a plan. “Your plan is bleeding my money every day,” says Navarro.

Wendy reminds him he’s trusted her so far. He counters with he doesn’t trust her, he trusts his opinion about her. He says the next time they talk he wants her to tell him she closed the deal and if she can’t get it with reason, she has to get it with force.

Wendy and Marty visit the diner and Wendy informs her hubby there’s half a million dollars on the floor and it is his if he leaves town. The whole scene is the same as the one with her and Cade Langmore, down to the words being exchanged, except Marty asks her to come with him. She tells him she can’t and Marty takes the money and walks away. Wendy suddenly wakes up saying, “I can’t.”

Marty has a meeting with Helen and attempts to convince her they need to move the money in the new casino. Helen isn’t budging and says Marty must find a different way because her client wants this new casino clean. Marty suddenly asks, “Tell me, is it your client’s wish or is it Wendy’s?” She questions why he would ask that.

Changing the subject, Marty reminds Helen the only reason why they can’t move money right now at the Missouri Belle is because of an audit Wendy brought down on them. Helen and Wendy seem to be besties these days and Helen begins to blame Marty, warning him the audit was brought down on them because of him. She asks him to leave before her daughter comes home.

Wendy’s at the usual meet-up spot – the diner – with Carl but without Anita. Wendy asks what he really wants and he confesses some dignity would be nice. She begins to ask about his marriage and seems to compare being a stay-at-home mom to him being emasculated by his wife their whole marriage. Carl reveals Marty told him something similar. Of course, Wendy’s intrigued and asks what he’s talking about. He informs her Marty said his desires had taken a backseat to his wife’s for too long. He drops the bomb that Marty’s the reason why he pulled out of the deal the first time.

Unfazed, Wendy warns him he’ll face financial ruin if he doesn’t sell them the hotel. She continues with the same approach that he needs to take back his happiness.

Ruth’s getting ready to leave when she spots Three (Carson Holmes) and asks if he’s spoken to Wyatt lately. Three doesn’t want to be in the middle of it, but Ruth insists it’s a simple question. He confirms he has, but then their conversation is cut short when Helen shows up. She tries to offer her condolences about Cade dying, explaining her father died when she was young too. Ruth asks if her dad was murdered as well.

Finished with any pretense at small talk, Ruth wants to get to the bottom of why Helen’s really there. Helen starts by stating she is impressed with Ruth’s skills and her loyalty. Again, Ruth wants to know what she’s getting at. Helen finally says, “Could you run the day-to-day at the Missouri Belle if Marty were away?” Ruth says yes, she can. With that, Helen leaves.

Ben and Jonah are joyriding in the boat when Sheriff Nix (Robert C. Treveiler) shows up. Jonah insists Ben let him do the talking. When Sheriff Nix realizes it’s Jonah Byrde in the boat, he tells them to slow down and to say hi to his mom and dad for him. Ben questions what that’s about but Jonah doesn’t answer.

Ruth hunts down Marty but he claims he’s busy. She asks if that’s why he didn’t tell her she was going to have to run this casino while he gets “Big Muddy” sorted out. Marty seems to never know what’s going on these days and wonders what she’s talking about. She reveals what happened during Helen’s unexpected visit. Marty finally realizes what’s going on. Ruth seems to not get it, so Marty tells her they’re exploring their options in case they decide things go an unexpected way for him. Marty says it’s okay but Ruth is panicking, demanding to know how that’s okay. “I should have known that giant f*cking b**ch was up to something,” says Ruth. She asks what he’s going to do and he says he needs to figure out how to keep laundering money.

Carl and his wife Anita are out for a walk when she begins berating him about anything and everything. She even gets in his face and pushes him in the head. He’s had enough and pushes her away, causing her to fall down an embankment and die. Carl leaves her there.

Wendy calls Marty to gloat about getting the hotel. She claims she’s trying to keep him updated and now that he is, he hangs up on her.

Ben and Jonah return home and Wendy suddenly informs Jonah she’s going to get Zeke back. Ben asks if Zeke’s a dog and his sister corrects him, explaining Zeke’s a baby. Ben reveals Jonah talked his way out of a speeding ticket. He then starts to go over what he’s learned about her recent life: they moved to Missouri, got a baby, own a casino, seem to be in with the boat police, bought another casino, and she and Marty are doing really great. She confesses they had bad money trouble in Chicago and she had an affair, so they decided to move to the Ozarks to start over. And, they fostered a baby.

Ben reveals Marty told him to leave and Wendy doesn’t really respond to that. After Ben pours them a glass of Scotch, he asks how she’s going to get the baby back. She reveals she’s going to pick a fight with a hillbilly.

Marty asks REO Speedwagon’s manager to launder money for them. He offers them an extra $100,000 for the job.

Wendy heads over to the farmers market to see Darlene. Wendy offers her money for the baby, knowing what she’s doing is going to get Darlene worked up. It works. Not only does Darlene punch her, but she also threatens to kill her loud enough for everyone around to hear.

Agent Miller attempts to talk to Marty about his options. She assures him there’s a world where he doesn’t have to testify. He can take a deal, serve time, and come out and work for the FBI. She says there’s no one on her team that can do what Marty does. She finishes with the warning, “The offer doesn’t stand if Agent Evans gets him first.”

Speaking of Agent Evans, he seems to be the new Petty and has one of Frank’s men in for questioning about the casino that blew up. All he wants is Marty Byrde. The man assures him he’ll do whatever Evans wants him to.

Marty comes home to find Wendy’s lip busted. When he asks what happened, she plays it off saying she ran into a door. Aware she’s lying, he walks away.

Wendy wakes up Ben the next morning and announces he can stay. He doesn’t want things to get weird with Marty, but Wendy assures her brother she wants him around.

Helen’s daughter is waiting for Charlotte and Jonah when she asks her mom if there is any news on who beat up her dad. Helen lies and says, “When I know, you will know.”

Wendy calls Navarro and Marty listens in as she tells him she got the hotel. Then she eagerly asks what they can do next. Another casino? Or hotel? He tells her to hang up because the line is compromised. Marty quickly closes his laptop down.

Jonah seems to be interested in Erin and is asking her questions when Frank’s guy shows up asking if Charlotte and Erin want to hang out, leaving Jonah behind.

Ruth’s listening to music when Ben arrives and asks if he can save her a seat at the concert. She tells him no. Not giving up, he asks if he can buy her dinner, lunch, breakfast…even a glass of water. That earns him a laugh.

The REO Speedwagon concert begins and Marty spots Agent Miller. He wants to know if he’ll only get 18 months. She assures him if he offers his services to the FBI, that can be arranged. In a shocking move, he says okay and walks away.

Marty’s standing in the crowd when three men walk up and grab him, taking him away. Ben witnesses it and sees Marty trying to get away when they throw him in an SUV. He finds Ruth to tell her and they begin to chase the SUV. That’s definitely not a smart move because the SUV suddenly stops and a man with a gun gets out and points it at them. They take that as their cue to back off as the episode ends.

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