City on a Hill Review: If Only The Fool Would Persist In His Folly (Season 1 Episode 3)
The hardened lines of personal beliefs and fractured relationships makes City on a Hill Season 1 Episode 3, “If Only The Fool Would Persist In His Folly,” an episode of slow-building anger.
Some are finding the limits of their pull, while others stretch over that limit into rather murky territory.
Jackie’s moves throughout the episode are baby steps to fixing the problems around him. He’s matching up the police chief’s interests with Decourcy to better align allies; he’s exacting revenge on his mother-in-law for the STD phone-call scare; and he’s setting up Jimmy for a drug charge so he’s a better informant.
Some of these are cruel abuses of power, hurting those without the authority or means to fight back. The manner in which Jackie makes himself at home and takes command over Frankie and Jimmy’s parents, pumping them for information, has a level of malice to it. He’s like a cat playing with a mouse, enjoying every moment of it.
Jenny’s seeking of guidance, and growing closer to the younger, newer priest, gives flashbacks to HBO’s The Sopranos, with Camela seeking counsel under similar circumstances. Jenny’s marriage to Jackie is off the rails, and so Jenny moving on could be an intriguing way to further send Jackie down a rabbit hole of destructive behavior as she moves to better herself.
Jackie does end up breaking the model airplane, after all, after saying he is not capable of doing it on City on a Hill Season 1 Episode 2, “What They Saw in Southie High.” It’s a petty move, childish in its intent, but Jackie doesn’t appear to be above that.
Jackie’s reign of terror on everyone around him feels ripe for a reckoning. He does all of this while his whole life dangles over a cliff, his shaky marriage and crossing the lines for his job leaving the possibility of him running through his nine lives relatively quickly.
But, at least for us, he’s so much fun to watch in the process.
The meat of the episode comes from Decourcy’s team building toward the grand jury move.
Decourcy’s slow-brewing war with Reverend Fields feels like the most damaging advancement for any of the characters. Fields views Decourcy in such disdain for his lack of leadership in one camp as Decourcy places himself on the sidelines.
To get things done, Decourcy will be stepping on a lot of toes in the process, but it’s exactly what he’s hoping to do, to rattle cages and see what falls out. Fields is a formidable foe for him, though, using every trick in the trade to use information as a tool, using his sermons and the media to spread his word over Decourcy’s.
It will be interesting to see if Kevin Chapman’s Dickie will pass on the dirt alluded to near the end of the episode. Will it be information warfare that turns the tide on Fields, or will Decourcy need to be creative to prove the victor?
Decourcy’s speech at the end of the episode shows how compassionate and driven he is by his work. It’s a rousing moment, the grand jury a big step to a larger fight. Aldis Hodge’s stoic, stubborn performance is likely to be overshadowed by Bacon’s larger-than-life presence as Jackie, but Decourcy is a wonderfully rounded character, and Hodge is doing excellent work.
On the street front, Jimmy continues to barge into people’s homes, unannounced. This time brings him deeper into Jackie’s web, likely expediting the truck robbery case. It’s conflicting, much like The Wire, where bad people do bad things, but you end up feeling for them because they’re full of charisma and charm. Jimmy has exactly that, and it’s going to be a rough downfall as Jackie’s snitch most likely.
City on a Hill Season 1 Episode 3, “If Only The Fool Would Persist In His Folly,” finds most of its success through the methodical work Jackie and Decourcy are doing, how completely different they are but how their alliance is working wonders. It’s a brick by brick type of progress, but it’s going to be a slow process to get justice.
What did you think of this episode of City on a Hill? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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City on a Hill airs Sundays at 9/8c on Showtime.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.
One thought on “City on a Hill Review: If Only The Fool Would Persist In His Folly (Season 1 Episode 3)”
Great recap, I’m waiting for a LOST reboot too!
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