Bad Monkey: Season 1 Episode 4 – Review/ Recap (Written)
Episode four focuses more on filling in the details of Nick’s past, and a little of Yancy’s, as it sets up the next chapter of “Bad Monkey.”
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Storyline Recap
My New Baby – Eve, Caitlin, Nick
We start things 5 years ago when Nick met Eve, a failed actress, from a poor background, who caught a decent sized fish. Nick was making decent money doing a scam business, his daughter was becoming a model, and with being single, a little lonely, and vulnerable, he was easy to hook.
Anything For You – Eve, Caitlin, Nick, Israel, Heather
Sadly for Caitlin, this meant her father going all in when it comes to Eve and her being neglected in the process. Even her assumed godfather Israel, who has known Nick since high school, seemingly didn’t take much note of the shift and point it out to his friend. But, back then, the money was good and even with Eve having them produce more, they were doing alright.
However, once the FBI caught on, Eve planted seeds in Nick’s head that led to him cutting off his arm to fake his death, killing the kid Israel hired to help fake his death, killing Israel because of how paranoid Eve has made him, and to prove this wasn’t all one sided, Eve kills Heather, the weather lady, who overhears Nick confess to killing Israel, which he regrets instantly.
But, to keep his wife happy, Nick seemingly has been willing to do anything.
The Truth Gets You Transferred – Yancy, Mendez, Ro, Bonnie
As for Yancy? Things are a bit rushed when it comes to his background. We learn the reason him and Mendez have beef is because Mendez was scamming the system with the tip line to make money for himself and friends – which Yancy exposed. But, as shown, Yancy always takes things too far so he got punished for being a jerk about his discovery – hence him ending up in the Keys.
As for his partnership with Ro? We don’t see the early years of that. All we learn is that Ro was married to a woman before his current partner and Yancy was supportive in him dating and making the relationship work. So, while Ro may seem like he is tired of Yancy’s nonsense, it seems as much as Yancy gets on his nerves, he’ll stick beside him.
Now, you might be wondering how Bonnie fits into all this, right? Well, we don’t get much on her. She suddenly appears in Yancy’s life, then next thing we know she has a black eye and he is hitting the golf cart of Bonnie’s husband and sending it into the water.
It’s Called Balance – Yancy, Rosa, Mel, Nick, Eve, Caitlin, Mendez
Back in present day, Nick and Caitlin are bonding like there hasn’t been nearly 5 years of estrangement and you can see Nick really did value his relationship with his daughter. It’s just, being a single father for as long as he was, it left him open to someone like Eve. Who, by the way, with all the bodies adding up, and her own paranoia, pushes the idea of maybe taking out Caitlin.
Why? Yancy keeps calling her and this worries Eve regarding Caitlin saying the wrong thing. So, with that in mind, Nick focuses on handling the Yancy problem. This comes as Yancy and Rosa’s relationship has come to a place where they have become intimate and unfortunately for Yancy, someone has framed him for Israel’s murder and, of all people, reported this to Mendez, who is ready to run with that narrative.
On a positive note, because Eve killed Heather, Rosa’s sister, Mel, is now doing the weather.
Collected Quote(s)
- It’s a lot harder to stop than to keep going. – Keith
New Character Descriptions
Gizel Jimenez As Mel Campesino
Mel is Rosa’s sister who we are introduced as a makeup artist, but her ultimate dream is being the weather girl.
Lauren Buglioli As Heather
Heather does the weather, and isn’t the best at it. Then, to make things worse, she is by no means a nice person.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Under His Influence.”
Review
Highlights
An Episode Without Neville
All I’m saying is, while we do see Ya-Ya and the Dragon Queen encounter Nick, there is maybe one scene with Neville and I feel this episode gave us how often we should probably see that character.
Nick’s Background
It’s easy to paint Nick as a bad guy and quickly write him off. He killed two people thus far, Yancy potentially next, and was a scam artist. However, I’d submit there was a push to see him as something more. While the loneliness of single parenthood isn’t dove into, with the way he initially talked to Eve, you can tell he was out of practice but excited that an attractive woman was talking to him. Add in how quickly they got married, and how this led to him neglecting his daughter, and while that was trash of him to do, you get it.
Let it be noted, I’m not saying you have any reason to condone it, but with Caitlin beginning to have her own life and money, it seemed clear Nick thought she was set and Eve came into his life just as his daughter was starting her own. Unfortunately, Eve is a conniving manipulator, who seemingly was indifferent to Caitlin’s existence, but gave enough to Nick for him to believe he was loved.
To me, it is sad and makes me hope, with one flashback, maybe we’ll get another for now I find myself curious about Nick’s relationship with Caitlin’s mom.
Keeping The Story Interesting
With the reveal Nick is alive, this could have went many ways. It complicates things, for in revealing one mystery, most shows setup another but “Bad Monkey” didn’t do that. It instead did character development for Nick, with a sprinkle for Yancy, including what can feel like randomly meeting his dad, and now the tables being turned to Yancy potentially being seen as a criminal paired with Nick hunting him down.
Add in everything else from Bonnie, to Rosa, and what you get is a multi-layered show with multiple vehicles going towards a similar destination, with any vehicle being a potentially fun ride.
On The Fence
Feeling Like They Sped Through Yancy’s Story
While Nick was fleshed out well, I do wish we got more from Yancy. From getting to know his dad more, understanding his relationship with Ro, maybe furthering how he got so wrapped up in Bonnie, it felt like more should have been given there. I mean, even learning about why he chose his specific house and allowing that to add meaning to why he fights so hard against the neighbor could have been nice.
But, with one flashback episode, which didn’t go into Rosa, Bonnie, or even Neville’s story, I hope we get another that may add some missing details.
General Information
Additional Information
- Previous Episode: Season 1/ Episode 3
- Series Page
Where To Buy, Rent or Subscribe To Watch This:
Episode Title
Nothing’s Wrong With It, I Just Don’t Need It Anymore
Release Date
August 28, 2024
Network
Director(s)
Marcos Siega
Writer(s)
Annie Mebane
The Gist
- In a largely flashback episode, we watch what led up to Nick revealing to Caitlin he faked his death and Yancy ending up in the Keys.
- With Nick, we see him and Israel, high school friends, living high on their scam and then Eve comes into Nick’s life as a failed actress who has found her perfect mark.
- It’s because of her Nick killed that kid, then Israel, and even cut off his arm to make her happy. In return, she has sex with him and killed Heather who did the weather to show she was just as invested.
- But, with pushing the idea Caitlin could be a problem, as Nick reconciles with her, a red flag is finally raised but set aside. Unfortunately, Yance isn’t so lucky, as we watch him doing the most ruining his career.
- However, by doing the most, but being a honest guy, he does win over Rosa, who decides to sleep with him. This seems to lead to some post-sex clarity as he realizes Nick is Christopher, right before Nick knocks him out.
- This episode proves Neville is not necessary for this show what so ever.
- Him aside, even if it was a recap episode, and it didn’t dive too much into Ro and Yancy’s bromance much, it was appreciated, getting this foundation, and even seeing Yancy with his father.
- Now, admittedly, there are still a lot of gaps with Yancy’s story, like how Bonnie went from a stranger to being at his house, but maybe her backstory will come up in future episodes.
