The Act Review: Two Wolverines (Season 1 Episode 3)
Things only get more uncomfortable on The Act Season 1 Episode 3, “Two Wolverines,” as Gypsy and Dee Dee interact with the outside world at a comic book convention.
This is an ideal time to bring Gypsy and Dee Dee out into the world beyond the community because while the show has established their relationship to each other, we haven’t seen much of how the pair interact with the real world face-to-face.
A bigger world gives Gypsy a chance to explore and can show us just how controlling Dee Dee can be. Yet, as tense as Joey King and Patricia Arquette’s one-on-one scenes are, it contrasts nicely with Gypsy’s joy at being able to be out in the comic book world enjoying what she loves.
Watching Gypsy’s dreaming relationship form with Scott was intoxicating. There’s something so childlike about Gypsy’s demeanor and the way she latches onto Scott is definitely not healthy, but seeing her excited being then intercut with the dual timelines is jarring.
In this case, the dual timeline storyline does this episode a disservice.
The thing about The Act is that it is a true crime docu-drama with split timelines. Since it is based on real events, we know how this story is going to end, even if you haven’t read the article its based on or know the case. Somehow, Dee Dee is going to end up dead, and the next five episodes will get to the how and why.
It’s hard to say if this series would work without the conclusion up front. It’s definitely not serving this episode well with just a single scene of the neighbors talking. It breaks up the action and just serves as filler detracting from the relationships Dee Dee and Gypsy build with their respective wolverines.
Some scenes, such as watching Dee Dee pull away from her Wolverine when he suggests coming over to help may have been more effective without Mel and Shelley talking about the phone call she received.
One thing “Two Wolverines” does well reinforce the idea that Gypsy is really Dee Dee’s entire world. Dee Dee’s lies keep Gypsy young and in need of her care, and the idea of accepting help threatens the illusion. It’s quiet and insular and that makes Dee Dee a very scary adversary.
So much of the power in both Arquette and King’s performances comes from the silent parts of their scenes. The final scene, when Dee Dee brings Gypsy back home, and Gypsy has to get in her chair, is tense and unsettling and the noise and sound mixing serve to accentuate the quiet rage on Dee Dee’s part and the fear on Gypsy’s.
Overall, this episode of The Act is moving at a much slower pace than the previous two, but it is likely layering the tension that will eventually lead to the conclusion.
Technically, we’re still in the 2011 timeline. We have four years before we get to Dee Dee’s murder, and I am sure Gypsy has some more growing up and exploration to do.
If The Act can continue to keep the tension the season will continue to progress nicely leading up to Dee Dee’s murder, but the key might before the show to stick more in the past and let the events unfold without the chorus of neighbors in 2015.
What did you think of this episode of The Act? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Act airs Wednesdays on Hulu.
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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.