Maniac: Season 1/ Episode 7 “Ceci N’est Pas Une Drill” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

We may FINALLY begin to really address the topic of Olivia as Annie is stuck in the fantasy world of Ellie’s dreams. [adinserter name=”General Ads”] Network Netflix Director(s) Cary Joji Fukunaga Writer(s) Amelia Gray, Danielle Henderson Air Date 9/21/2018 Characters Introduced Porter Gabriel Byrne Images and text in this post may contain affiliate links which,…

We may FINALLY begin to really address the topic of Olivia as Annie is stuck in the fantasy world of Ellie’s dreams.

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Network
Netflix
Director(s)		Cary Joji Fukunaga
Writer(s)		Amelia Gray, Danielle Henderson
Air Date		9/21/2018
Characters Introduced
Porter	Gabriel Byrne

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A Snitch & A Girl: Owen, Olivia, Porter

Owen wakes up in a situation similar to his real life. One in which he has to lie to protect a family member while being pressured to tell the truth. However, Olivia seems to be the only solace in the weirdness of his family dynamics. Someone who seems innocent amongst all the muck, murder, and mayhem.

Commentary

Was it ever revealed what Jed did? Because he is rich, white, and a douche, it was just assumed he raped a girl but was that ever outright said? Also, considering Jed was pushed to be more of a villain than Owen’s father, how come that got switched around? His dad made it seem about loyalty and Jed pushed the idea of helping or else he’d ruin Owen’s life. So is the truth of the matter?

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After all, it seems Pill C is a bit more based in the core of relationships, set in a fantasy element. So does Owen feel like his family are a bunch of mobsters and those like Adelaide are outsiders who have the desire for the truth and to expose the family? Using him as the weakest link to do so?

My god – they made Owen interesting.

Back in the Lab: Dr. James, Dr. Fujita, Dr. Greta, GRTA

As Dr. Greta seems to be doing well, keeping GRTA in tip-top shape, Dr. James seems to be waiting for the shoe to drop. But, with that not happening, Dr. Fujita addresses there is no need for his paranoia and it seems, without taking the pill, Dr. James seems to confront his own issues. Such as embarrassing and ending things with Dr. Fujita at a gala. Not because of her but trying to avoid failure by being released from his duties. Something she forgives him for, since the consequence is that he lost their relationship, but him being able to apologize definitely seems like growth from that time.

Commentary

With Dr. Fujita and Dr. James lingering in the background, it was easy to say, early on, who cares about them? Yet, I must admit, as with Owen in a way, they are slow burner types. Annie, thanks to Stone’s charisma, was an instant hook. You fell for the character, the pain, all like a slightly nerdy boy would fall for a manic pixie dream girl in a John Green novel. Everyone else though, they required time. Dr. James, as neurotic as he can be, has a heart, fears, and a reason to invest in him. Granted, most of the reason is because you can see he brings out some emotion out of Dr. Fujita, but being the catalyst for another character isn’t bad.

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Especially since Dr. Fujita, likely just in her mid or late 20s, is reserved in such a way that it reminds you of Owen. In fact, Dr. Fujita seems like a high functioning Owen and a Dr. James a less stable Annie at times. Perhaps pushing why you want happiness for them both. It may not be them as individuals but certain personality traits you can hook towards feeling like our leads?

Two Elves On A Quest: Annie, Ellie

Though going by the names Annia and Ellia, we won’t do the usual, use the names of the character vs. the actual person. Mostly because, Annie breaks the spell. She comes to realize she is playing in Ellie’s world and while Ellie doesn’t break character, Annie decides to play along. Maybe because she truly wants to get better and even if Ellie is dead, doing her this solid, playing out a fantasy, will relieve Annie of her guilt?

It isn’t 100% clear how well that may work but she is willing to give it a shot. For with it being clear she sabotages herself and certain things she could have avoided, like Greg and that truck, she seems to be taking responsibility. Honoring the time she has with her sister, and making the best of it.

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Commentary

With Annie waking up within the dream, so comes the question of why she woke in this one but not past dreams? Is her hate for fantasy so strong she couldn’t mentally just go with the flow? Or, because she is actively participating, in getting better that is, she was able to handle and wake up from being confronted? It makes you wonder, how much of Dr. Greta’s work and beliefs are influencing this all? We know Greta sets up the worlds and the express therapy, but how much of it is her, the subject’s own creation, and the two working, or battling, against one another?

Highlights

1. Both Owen and Annie shined pretty well this episode.
2. Though not much was said or happened, Dr. Fujita and Dr. James had a nice scene together.

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