Ray and Jackie’s storylines finally link, thus making for a better show, but at what cost?
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Ray and Jackie’s storylines finally link, thus making for a better show, but at what cost?
| Director(s) | David Rodriguez |
| Writer(s) | Courtney Norris |
| Aired (STARZ) | 6/28/2020 |
| Trigger Warning(s) | Mutilation
Images Of Someone Who Overdosed |
This content contains pertinent spoilers.
Recap
What Am I To You Exactly? – Renee, Ray
With Frankie mentioning that Sherry was someone else Ray took from a CI to a pseudo-girlfriend, it complicates him doing nice things. In fact, that pushes Renee to visit him at work and see what are they really? Which, with such an adverse reaction to her coming to his job as he has come to hers, she gets her answer and seemingly will handle Ray accordingly.
The Hunt For Junior – Junior, Ray, Jackie, Donna, Kizzle, Osito, Frankie
The cops and Frankie know Junior is a loose end, and with that in mind, the police want him for a possible witness, and Frankie wants him dead. This leads to Osito and Kizzle hunting for him, and harassing Donna in the process, and Ray hitting one dead end after another. That is, until Jackie gets involved and with her running into Junior just as Osito and Kizzle show up, she decides to involve Ray.
Leading to the two going on a quest to where they think Junior can be and racing against Osito, who has orders, and Kizzle, who has an itchy trigger finger.
There Is No Starting Over – Junior, Jackie, Ray, Osito, Kizzle
In the end, Jackie and Ray never get to Junior. However, they might in the next episode. You see, Osito decides to put his friendship with Junior over his orders from Frankie, and kills Kizzle. Thus, Junior is given the chance to lay low and maybe call for Donna at a later time.
But, rather than do that, Junior gets high, overdoses, and now his daughter isn’t abandoned by Junior running away but due to him taking one last hit.
Review
Highlights
Jackie & Ray’s Storylines Combined
It seems all Jackie needed was to combine forces with Ray, as advertised, to become the lead we needed and wanted her to be. Don’t get us wrong, we fully expect and desire her to be messing around with random women and having a good ole time. However, her struggle with sobriety and pretty much having a solo storyline, it did nothing for the show.
So here is hoping she’ll officially transfer to state police and make her hunt for Frankie, and evidence, official.
The Killing of Junior
I’m not emotionally affected by Junior’s death nor Kizzle’s, for that matter, since it seems to be more about shock than anything else. However, I do feel we are cutting the fat of the show, and I can appreciate that. For similar to “The Chi,” cutting out the cops from its show, I’d say honing things on just Ray and Jackie, the core of “Hightown” is good enough. Between them, they got more than enough issues, and we don’t need B characters competing with them. Especially if they aren’t villains.
Frankie Betrayed
With the murder of the snitch, it is clear Frankie still has power. However, with him in prison, and Osito on the outside, will we see a shift? Heck, considering how people are killed left and right, will Frankie die by the end of the season, and Osito take the throne? I’m down for it, how about you?
On The Fence
Poor Renee
We like Renee and want more of Renee. However, whether she decides to use Ray for what she can get or cut him off is the question? One that I hope leans towards just getting all the affection she can, until she can’t take being a pseudo-secret anymore, rather than cutting Ray off or her getting killed off. An option that feels on the table so that Frankie can hit Ray where it hurts.
Overall
Trajectory – Ascending
Jackie attaching herself to Ray is a blessing, and we hope it is a permanent change. And while it took the death of one minor and one major character to push that into play, it is a sacrifice that isn’t hard to accept. Even if it is pushing the idea this show may rely a little bit too much on killing off people to keep your interest. An idea I hope isn’t fact since the attachment isn’t strong enough to any character to make that truly heartbreaking.
Where To Watch
Jackie & Ray's Storylines Combined - 86%
The Killing of Junior - 80%
Frankie Betrayed - 82%
Poor Renee - 77%
81%
Jackie attaching herself to Ray is a blessing, and we hope it is a permanent change. And while it took the death of one minor and one major character to push that into play, it is a sacrifice that isn't hard to accept. Even if it is pushing the idea this show may rely a little bit too much on killing off people to keep your interest. An idea I hope isn't fact since the attachment isn't strong enough to any character to make that truly heartbreaking.
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