Rectify Review: Physics (Season 4 Episode 6)

Though Daniel and Janet’s relationship is at the center of Rectify Season 4 Episode 6, “Physics,” it’s really Teddy who shines as he begins to spiral out of control.

Janet and Ted’s trip to see Daniel is difficult for several reasons. Not only are Janet and Ted at odds with each other, but it’s hard for Janet to see Daniel in his new life. And it’s even harder to Daniel to be able to share it with her.

He spends his energy trying to show his mother the town — restaurants that are supposed to be a good and a museum that he’s never been to. It’s a way of spending time with her without opening up, when she calls him out on.

All Janet really wants to see is what Daniel’s life is like now. She wants to understand her son, and he tells her it’s time for her to let him go.

It’s as though Daniel is 18 years old and has gone off to college. He’s finally breaking free and living on his own, and he needs his mother to give him space to do so. Keeping in mind that Daniel lost such a large portion of his life — and formative years — it makes sense that this is the next step their relationship takes.

I’m heartbroken for Janet, who in the midst of worrying over her oldest son doesn’t know if she’ll stay in her marriage or keep her store.

One of the most beautiful things about Daniel and Janet’s relationship is the way they communicate. Daniel is able to be unflinchingly honest, and his mother is open-minded enough to see where he’s coming from. Daniel finally does show her where he works, and then he takes her to meet Chloe.

I haven’t quite known how I feel about Chloe from the start. Part of me struggles with her for some reason, but she’s growing on me. Maybe that’s because it becomes clearer and clearer that she’s good for Daniel, even though her situation makes their relationship temporary.

Meanwhile, the person my heart breaks for the most is actually Teddy.

He loves Tawney so much that, as cliché as this sounds, he decides to set her free. He smiles and hold back tears as he makes it as easy on her as he can — rather than making her be the bad guy and ending their relationship, he does it for her and asks her for a divorce.

It’s an absolutely incredible performance from Clayne Crawford. All of the actors do consistently amazing work on this show, but this performance is especially noteworthy.

What Teddy is doing is protective, and maybe almost a little condescending, but knowing these characters and what their relationship has been like until now, it’s possibly one of the most compassionate things Teddy could have done.

Of course, Teddy is also looking at losing the store, and he’s feeling hopeless — and a little reckless. Rum and Coke in a coffee mug adds to his unique salesmanship at the store because he truly doesn’t care any more. Who knew that would actually help him make a sale?

That air dancer continues to taunt him, too. But this time, he has some control over it– sort of. The use of the air dancer outside of the tire store is the kind of detail that has always made Rectify special. It’s bizarre, specific, and a consistent use of symbolism. Once and for all, though, Teddy wants to tear it down.

 

Unfortunately, his efforts don’t consider physics (one of many explanations for the title of this episode) and the bullet bounces back to hit him in the leg.

How’s that for symbolism?

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Rectify airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Sundance TV.

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