Frequency Review: Signal and Noise (Season 1 Episode 2)
On Frequency Season 1 Episode 2, “Signal and Noise,” Raimy and Frank attempt to settle into their lives, and they soon realize that their lives just became a lot more complicated.
There is way too much going on. There’s the Thomas Goff investigation in both 1996 and 2016, the random Daniel and Raimy flashbacks in 2014, the corruption in 1996, Julie and Frank’s broken marriage in 1996, and also just Frank and Raimy chatting.
I mean, wow. We are constantly having to not only jump storylines, but also jump time periods and even timelines. It’s a bit much to juggle.
What definitely could have been cut out are the Daniel and Raimy scenes. They do not really fit, and there’s no need for them to be in this episode. They could have been pushed off until an episode where maybe Raimy bumps back into Daniel or something.
Also, Daniel did not make a huge impression on me in Frequency Season 1 Episode 1, so I’m not really craving more Daniel scenes.
Now, if Raimy were to maybe go to him for help regarding talking to Frank or the constantly changing timelines, that could be really interesting. I would enjoy that storyline a lot more than the awkward mom set up. Do you ship Daniel and Raimy?
Raimy is not coming off as the best detective right now.
She conducts an interview with a sexual assault victim where Raimy basically goes in with her own theory as to what happened, and she then proceeds to ask question after question that solidify that theory. The best evidence is self generated evidence as in LET THE PERSON TALK WITHOUT BEING INTERRUPTED.
Raimy does not allow for any other explanation or theory other than the one she believes.
You could chalk it up to the fact that Raimy is in a rush for the majority of the hour. She’s rushing to find answers, so she can help Frank to help save her mother’s life.
She’s jumping around and not really doing her due diligence in any of her investigations. Because of this, Raimy isn’t looking that great, at least as far as her skills as a detective go.
Let’s switch gears, shall we?
I really love how the show is exploring the complicated relationship between 1996 Frank and 2016 Raimy. They both, strangely enough, do not really know each other.
Raimy learning that her parents were not in a good place when Frank came home is really nicely done. There are so many complicated emotions going on in that moment, and Peyton List and Riley Smith handle them all beautifully.
Does anyone else find the scene where Julie kicks Frank a bit weird? For some reason, it just feels off.
By far the best part of the hour is when we actually get to see the consequences of Raimy and Frank altering the timeline. As someone who watches time travel shows where people seem unaware of the potential consequences (*cough Barry Allen cough*) or no actual consequences happen, this is a breath of fresh air.
Raimy realizes how much talking to her dad is changing things. She is witnessing it, and it causes her to think about how best to use the ham radio and this weird power she and her father have been given.
Unlike Barry, Raimy does not want to risk messing up anyone else’s life just because she wants to talk to her mom. Raimy staying quiet while her mom talked on the radio is heartbreaking, but it is also an amazing character moment for Raimy. We know the kind of person she is now, and she’s someone worth rooting for.
What did you think of this episode of Frequency? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Frequency airs Wednesday at 9/8c on The CW.
Allison Nichols
Allison is in a love affair with television that doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Slightly damaged fictional characters are her weakness. She loves to spend her free time curled up with a cat and a show to binge-watch. Allison is a Tomatometer-approved critic (Rotten Tomatoes).