Perpetual Grace, LTD Review: Eleven (Season 1 Episode 1)

Always go into something with as much information as possible. On Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 1, “Eleven,” James (Jimmi Simpson) enters a twisting-and-turning plot with enough, he thinks, but it’s not enough for the firestorm ahead.

Opening with the sell of Paul’s offer to James is a great starting point. It’s accompanied by a funny visual image, Paul gradually getting closer and closer to James as he lures him in with the crazy plan. That there’s also a firefighter, just on the edge of the screen, serves as a reminder that James’ past continues to haunt him.

It’s a simple plan, really: fake a methadone addiction to gain confidence in Ma (Lillian) and Pa (Byron), get them to Mexico with a fake death certificate, and steal Paul’s identity while they’re gone to take everything.

In classic fashion, though, all of the wheels fall off in spectacular fashion. All of the variables are next to impossible to expect full success, and so it’s surprising it succeeds for as long as it does. All of the factors have to come together, and they do, but with so many ramifications and blowbacks.

The episode starts with this strange tug of war, James’ con feeling like it’s a thread away from snapping. Pa and Ma’s layers of testing are intriguing, with Ma leaving the pearls out to see if James will steal them, checking for the stash mentioned at the motel, and handing over all of Paul’s identity and belongings; it all feels like something more elaborate than what we’re seeing.

Their own con, of taking everything from those in need, does not appear to be their main goal. It could be a lie Paul fed James in order to enlist him, as they are more giving than taking. But based on what we learn of them later on the episode, they are a little too trusting up front and give James so many liberties.

There’s likely more to the story, a piece of the puzzle still to come. Certain facts are certainly withheld from James, like Pa’s past crimes and Paul being a prime suspect in a child murder case. The fact Pa can take someone down with a shoe is a testament to his violent anger. He’s on the warpath now, and with his past crimes illuminated, a simple con has turned into a nightmare.

Jimmi Simpson plays James with a withdrawn tone, like James is holding back. The firefighter incident the episode cuts to at multiple points, and the deaths he possibly caused from retreating, could be the cause. It could be an indicator that perhaps he breaks under pressure, or has a breaking point.

James sitting in horror at the edge of the fire can be interpreted in different ways; from the casualties he mentions later on the episode, it is a curious thought that his compassion (as shown to Glenn, too, later on) may prove to be his undoing. Did James have problems before the firefighting incident, and is it a symptom, rather than a cause?

It’s why James’ semi-poor choices is like he’s looking to be punished, placing himself inside impossible situations to see if he gets what he thinks he deserves.

Ben Kingsley’s Pa is this cross between kind and rage-filled, this pick-yourself-up mentality which can only mean he’ll be the ultimate force to be reckoned with. His quiet chat in the barn with James leaves Kingsley’s character as this suffering soul, whose impressive criminal background leaves him as a tough foe.

Plus, his motivational words during chores and athleticism is infectious, and hilarious. This could easily be an Emmy nomination in the making.

Creators Steven Conrad and Bruce Terris are able to settle the tone and style to its exact intentions right from the get-go. Their voice is distinct and exciting, a level of character-driven story and comedy bordering on absurdist while still keeping things grounded.

One of the more fun moments of the episode finds Luis Guzman’s Hector refusing to become involved, feeling immense disrespect from his family, and then finally agreeing. It’s all during a single scene and a single shot, following him about his house, seeing the life he has and what he could have.

The pilot has reminders of Patriot, Steven Conrad’s most recent Amazon Prime Video series, a combination of specific humor and piling impossible odds against its lead. Some of Jimmi Simpson’s lines, and the way he plays them, come off as exactly like Michael Dorman’s John from Patriot, Conrad and Terris’ fantastic writing becoming a comforting familiarity, even with far different circumstances at hand.

This is especially noticeable during the pawn shop robbery, with James knocking out Glenn. The multiple hits, two soft ones before a successful one, reminded me of Jack Birdbath hitting himself with the American dimes to test their strength.

It’s absurdist humor, but clicks with me immensely.

James’ guilt at seeing Glenn with the helmet and laying down shows he’s not fully lost to feeling bad for his actions, which can lead down some interesting paths ahead. Caring may turn out to be James’ flaw, in the end.

The episode closes with James stuck with Chris Conrad’s New Leaf standing over him in the cell. Chris Conrad’s huge comedic talent as Dennis on Patriot leaves the next episode with a ton of potential. A tough situation is about to get a whole lot worse.

Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 1, “Eleven,” is a wonderful opener, brimming with personality and a noir style mixed with Steven Conrad and Bruce Terris’ classic deadpan humor. It’s a hell of a start, and leaves a ton of confidence in what’s ahead.

 

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Perpetual Grace, LTD airs Sundays at 10/9c on EPIX.

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