Weird Loners Review: Weird Knight (Season 1 Episode 4)

Who knew watching a human chess game could be so entertaining?

In “Weird Knight” we continue to get to know the four neighbors who have found their way into each others’ lives regardless of how different each of them are.

In this episode of Weird Loners, Stosh insists on helping Zara sell her artwork for more money than she currently makes. His faith in her becomes a big part of why she wins a grant from a wealthy hotel, but it turns out that winning stifles her creativity.

When Stosh realizes that’s the problem, he pretends to call and pull Zara out of her commitment to pain for the hotel, understanding that will give her a reason to be inspired again.

Stosh: It’s my fault. You know, I didn’t get you until now. You don’t paint for the world, you paint for yourself. It’s a personal expression of your own isolation and loneliness. Just you in your own dark little universe. But, it’s okay. You’re back there now.

It works, and Zara paints a beautiful, haunting piece while Stosh naps. Rest assured, there’s still something in it for Stosh, since he’s getting a pretty hefty commission for representing Zara. That’s something that’s already been stated as a major part of Stosh’s character, but it’s becoming clear that there’s more to him than that. He does seem to understand people, and he also has an innate willingness to help. In fact, it seems he usually has the instinct to help first, before, inevitably finding a way to get something out of it.

I appreciate that this episode pairs our main characters up a bit differently than what we’ve seen so far, and I think those pairings make for some interesting interactions. Finding a common ground between Stosh and Zara is important, and there’s also a bit of common ground between Eric and Caryn.

Eric is proving to be a more complex and endearing character as the series moves forward. It doesn’t take much to make him happy, and he puts his heart into everything he does — even into human chess. Caryn finds herself willing to help Eric toward his dream of becoming a rook by going on a date with one of Eric’s teammates, even though she’s less than interested.

The date is a cliche interaction between the pretty girl and the nerd, save for an odd encounter with the waitress. Caryn insists she doesn’t want to go out with him again, but when he doesn’t call, she starts to change her mind.

It’s actually a wake-up call for Caryn, who assumed the guy would want to keep seeing her:

Caryn: I didn’t like him, and then he blew me off, and now I do like him! Don’t you understand? This is my disease!

She then goes so far to become a part of the next chess match herself, only to learn she was literally used as a pawn to make another woman jealous.

By the way, has anyone else noticed that the humor in this show is sometimes surprisingly racy? There are quick jokes that manage to offer bawdy humor without being too over-the-top or even very obvious — a tactic that makes for brilliant comedy:

Stosh: I want to rep you!
Zara: I have a whistle.
Stosh: No. I want to rep you — to represent you as an artist.
Zara: Oh! It did seem strange that you would give me a heads up.

Overall, this was another smart, funny episode with characters who I can’t help but be invested in already.

What did you think of Weird Loners Season 1 Episode 4? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Weird Loners airs Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c on FOX.