The Crowded Room: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Sanctuary” – Recap and Review (with Spoilers)

Plot Recap

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So they just let you go – Danny, Marlin, Candy, Rya, Yitzhak

To Rya’s surprise, Candy and Marlin didn’t put up much of a fight to get Danny out if Yitzhak’s home. But, in Danny’s mind, they were down the street, so why would there be an issue? Plus, it isn’t like Yitzhak didn’t have a slew of rules from Danny finishing school, no parties, or drugs, which wouldn’t mirror any parents’ house.

On my own – Ariana, Danny, Mike, Jonny, Annabelle, Yitzhak

As time goes on, Danny gets adjusted to the ebb and flow of the rooming house. Yitzhak is barely around. Ariana keeps to herself and isn’t trying to be anything but a decent roommate, so Danny is often on his own. Which is why when he sees his friends, they are envious, and when he sees Annabelle, fresh from college, she is intrigued.

This leads to a rare bold moment for Danny in which he decides to throw a party. Jonny, who has expanded his drug dealing, and gives Danny some founder dividends on profit, brings the drug. Mike seems to bring the people; next thing you know, many rules are broken, and Ariana is cool with it.

Perhaps too cool since, while she rejects Jonny, she makes out and hooks up with Annabelle. Which the passive Danny doesn’t express any anger or pushback about. Even though that might have been his first and only chance to have sex – never mind with Annabelle.

Unstable or In Need Of Understanding – Ariana, Rya, Danny, Jerome

Rya’s primary focus is Ariana. Danny she sees as a potentially innocent boy who got mixed up with the wrong people. But Danny being so protective of Ariana leads to nothing beyond background information. Danny talks about her relationship with a man named Jerome, her sexuality, her issues with friendships and relationships, and tries to humanize her since Rya is so hellbent on demonizing her.

Review

Highlights

Getting To Know Ariana

Ariana could have easily operated as some kind of enigma. The mysterious girl that Danny fell for because she was just so different, so weird, and volatile in a way that makes it seem like she has lived a life worth learning about. But, in many ways, she isn’t. She has her trauma, joys, and the struggle that can come from pursuing it sometimes, but otherwise, she is normal. Worthy of protection and understanding, like anyone else, but normal.

On The Fence

Candy Just Leaving Her Boy Behind

Explanations are needed. It is understood that Candy’s relationship with Marlin has a limiting factor since he provides to the household financially, and she works a lot, including nights, so dating is difficult. However, abandoning your son, even if he is across the street, seems a little strange for the type of person Candy is presented as.

Now, could looks be deceiving? Absolutely. However, more time is needed to know if she is anything more than a hard working mother, dating a douche just because options are slim.

Annabelle

They should have left Annabelle in episode 1. Is she supposed to be the Jenny to Danny’s Forest? Someone who comes in and out of his life, usually with an attachment to someone else? What’s happening here?

General Information

This section Includes information about the Director, Writer, and Cast.

More From The Series
Previous Episode: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Exodus”	Next Episode: Episode #3
Release Date (Apple TV+)	June 9, 2023
Director(s)	Kornél Mundruczó
Writer(s)	Akiva Goldsman
Newly Noted Characters and Cast
Jerome	Elijah Jones
Previously Noted Characters and Cast
Danny	Tom Holland
Marlin	Will Chase
Candy	Emmy Rossum
Rya	Amanda Seyfried
Yitzhak	Lior Raz
Annabelle	Emma Laird
Ariana	Sasha Lane
Mike	Sam Vartholomeos
Jonny	Levon Hawke

FAQs

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