Bad Monkey: Season 1 Episode 1 – Review/ Recap (Written)
Vince Vaughn stars in this AppleTV+ original that does well in highlighting his talents while messing with the pace by featuring a less engaging storyline.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Storyline Recap
Life In The Bahamas – Neville, Dragon Queen
Neville was just a man enjoying the life his father left to him and his sister. But, he learns his sister sold the land without telling him much if anything, and now he should expect his home to be bulldozed and be homeless.
With this being a daunting possibility, Neville finds himself drowning his sorrows with friends and him following their advice to see the Dragon Queen rather than confront his sister. She does Obeah (voodoo), and with money, an item of the developer’s clothing, and a bottle of alcohol as an offering, she accepts the task presented and seems interested in maybe having something beyond with Neville at another time.
An Impossible Itch To Scratch – Andrew, Rogelio, Sonny, Eve, Caitlin, Rosa
Andrew, often called by his last name Yancy, has gone from investigating murders in Miami to working in the Keys, where he has recently been suspended. But, with his boss, Sonny, wanting an amputated arm taken to Miami in hopes of it not having any involvement with his town, it is pushed this could open doors or help matters.
Unfortunately for Andrew and Sonny, alongside Andrew’s partner Rogelio, Andrew may enjoy a simple life, but he can’t help but make things complex when it comes to work. At the Miami morgue, Rosa makes it clear it doesn’t belong to Miami or Miami-Dade County, so it gets kicked back. Rogelio says Sonny wants the arm thrown to wildlife, but Andrew keeps it instead.
Good thing, too, for between the wife of the deceased, Eve, and his kid, Caitlin, it seems this isn’t a boat accident or a shark attack. This arm is part of a murder.
Someone Worth All The Trouble – Bonnie, Andrew
Now, you might be wondering what got Andrew suspended? Did he ruffle the feathers of a politician? Did he refuse to do his job because of his ethics? Nope. He was sleeping with a man’s wife, Bonnie, and after the man got upset and hit Bonnie, Andrew retaliated and is now being sued.
Bonnie doesn’t want this lawsuit and has tried to stop it to no avail. So by the time the episode is over, it’s either Andrew will have to fall on the sword, or more than Bonnie’s real name will get exposed.
It’s All Connected – Neville, Christopher, Andrew, Charles, Captain Fitzpatrick
Because Andrew asks questions and people report or complain about him doing so, he gets fired. This is fine for him since it unshackles him and leads him to investigate beyond the victim’s family by talking to Captain Fitzpatrick, whose second, Charles, found the arm. Now, because Charles is acting very new money, he attracts attention. But, with being unable to keep his cool, you could surmise that is why Christopher shoots him.
Leaving us to learn that Charles’ killer is also the developer taking Neville’s home away, and with him putting a curse on Christopher, this will affect our dual leads, Neville and Andrew’s storylines.
New Character Descriptions
Ronald Peet As Neville
Neville is a man native to the Bahamas who lives a simple life. He fishes, eats the fish and lives out his days in his father’s former fishing hut. That is until his sister sold the land his father bequeathed, and now he has to figure out his next move.
Jodie Turner-Smith As Dragon Queen
The Dragon Queen is the local Obeah practitioner.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Sex Education: Season 4/ Episode 6.”
Vince Vaughn As Andrew
Andrew formerly worked homicide in Miami before finding himself in the Florida Keys. Since being there, he has found himself bumping heads with the Sheriff, especially after not only was it discovered he was having an affair but also assaulted the husband of the woman he was cheating with. But, while his personal life is a hot mess, there is no denying that he is a top-level cop.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Christmas With The Campbells.”
John Ortiz As Rogelio
Rogelio is Andrew’s partner, as a cop, who knows him well enough to get what he wants out of him. Rogelio is also a father of one and Puerto Rican.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Ms. White Light.”
Todd Allen Durkin As Sonny
Sonny Summers is the sheriff of Key West and seemingly is only the sheriff because others who could have run for the position had criminal backgrounds that knocked them out of contention. Potentially because of this, he takes his job seriously to the point of not wanting any crimes associated with his jurisdiction.
Meredith Hagner As Eve
Eve is Nick’s wife, the man who lost his arm, and depending on who you ask, she is a gold digger.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Dummy: Season 1.”
Charlotte Lawrence As Caitlin
Caitlin is Nick’s daughter, from whom he is estranged, and she has not seen him in about a year.
Rob Delaney As Christopher
Christopher is a developer in the Bahamas who is creating the Curly Tail Lane resorts but is also a killer.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Love At First Sight.”
Brett Cormier As Charles
Charles is the person who discovered Nick’s arm and one of Christopher’s first victims.
Tom Nowicki As Captain Fitzpatrick
Captain Fitzpatrick is the narrator of “Bad Monkey” and Charles’ former employer until he got too big for his britches.
Michelle Monaghan As Bonnie
Bonnie is Andrew’s 42-year-old special friend who is married, and it seems like she has a lot of skeletons in her closet, beyond being a cheater.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Craft: Legacy.”
Natalie Martinez As Rosa Campesino
Dr. Campesino is the medical examiner for Miami Metro.
Crystal the Monkey As Driggs
Driggs is a monkey that Neville won gambling.
Review
Highlights
Andrew’s Side of Bad Monkey
Andrew’s storyline is far more fleshed in ways that can bring intrigue. From his affair with Bonnie, his relationship with Rogelio, and the question of whether Rogelio could be corrupt. Then, Andrew messes with his neighbor/the developer by leaving dead animals, bees, and other things in the house. Add in the murder mystery, and honestly, you may question why Neville’s storyline is in this?
On The Fence
Only Neville and the Dragon Queen Bring Much Interest In His Storyline
While Captain Fitzpatrick, as the narrator, pushes the idea that Andrew and Neville’s stories are connected, they are and aren’t. Right now, all they share is Christopher; outside of that, they are separated, and I’d submit they are competing. The problem for Neville’s storyline is that it is losing badly and feels more like an interruption than an asset or added benefit.
It is wonderful to see Jodie Turner-Smith and hear a story about one man’s fight against a major developer. But, again, the stories don’t complement one another, so they feel like they are competing. Now, yes, this is only episode one, and things could get better, but Neville is a liability as of now. Also, in a world of linear TV and streaming, as we always say, you don’t have time to slack in the first episode with the push that things get better.
General Information
Additional Information
- Previous Episode: N/A
- Series Page: Coming Soon
- Based Upon The Novel By: Carl Hiaasen
Episode Title
The Floating-Human-Body-Parts Capital of America
Release Date
August 14, 2024
Network
Director(s)
Marcos Siega
Writer(s)
Bill Lawrence
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