Perpetual Grace, LTD Review: Orphan Comb Death Fight (Season 1 Episode 2)
Eye care is at the center of a grand introduction on Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 2, “Orphan Comb Death Fight.”
The episode brilliantly builds on itself through layering character’s pasts as lessons for their present. They are driven by the pain and experience the past provides, leaving them as shells of themselves or brewing anger, with current events setting them ablaze.
Jimmi Simpson. CREDIT: Lewis Jacobs/EPIX
New Leaf’s introduction and lengthy backstory proves to be the most entertaining entrance of a character so far. Despite all of his troubles and run-ins with the law, he wants to bring eye care to the town, impressively dedicated. He’s earnest almost to a fault, and for his life to fall apart over Paul Allen Brown, whose name is now etched on his chest, leaves the identity-stealing James with a worrying foe.
New Leaf is unpredictable and prone to anger. With the ammo of information that Paul stole his family’s nest egg of money, which he could use for his Lenscrafters franchise, makes James a nervous target. Chris Conrad continues his trend of incredible character parts, as he did previously on Patriot as Dennis.
The episode also continues to be so much fun to watch visually. The mixture of black and white to tell the backstory of New Leaf, and to show the first time Pa had to fight for what’s his, makes for expansive ways to set the past as something else entirely to the present.
Jimmi Simpson. CREDIT: Lewis Jacobs/EPIX
The episode also has characters talking over decent distances in order to pass off information while at a minimum proximity for their safety. James has no clue where New Leaf is taking the conversation over the Lenscrafters shutting down; and Scotty knows Paul (who James continues to impersonate) is scummy and wishes to keep herself away from him.
Even the real Paul keeps his distance mostly during their talk, performing dazzling disappearing acts. He seems unfazed from all of these new developments, enjoying karate class and trying to keep James in line. The real Paul is too calm, really, like he doesn’t see any issues. Or he plans to place all of the problems at James’ feet while scooping everything up for himself.
James, though, is starting to suffer from guilt as he grows overwhelmed. He’s brought down from Glenn’s continual deterioration, sounds and bright light causing Glenn great pain. The blow to the head on Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 1, “Eleven,” has lasting ramifications on the kid, and James will have to live with it, or help him when he can.
Luis Guzman. CREDIT: Lewis Jacobs/EPIX
Terry O’Quinn’s Walker, Texas Ranger, New Leaf, the 90 days needed for the transfer of power, and Pa close to escaping are all wrinkles to an already wrinkled plan.
Pa’s driven by the past, the remembrance of never allowing something of his to be taken again. The orphan comb story is the turning point for him, when younger. Now, he takes instead, and now that his life and prized possessions are under threat, he’s willing to even sever his own thumb to escape the cuffs around his wrists.
The sound is unsettling, this casual sawing back and forth of the beer can as he nearly unflinchingly stares ahead. When the beer can shot first happens, I expected he may somehow use the can tab to free himself; for it to take his own thumb is an even darker turn.
Ben Kingsley. CREDIT: Lewis Jacobs/EPIX
Pa’s not above maiming himself to save everything he’s made for himself.
Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 2, “Orphan Comb Death Fight,” is an atmospheric and fascinating second episode, a captivating follow-up to the premiere. The show expertly places roadblocks and raises the stakes to completely incapacitate its lead.
There’s a masterful cruelty to place so much guilt and pressure on James, but it’s all in service of finding his true character deep down underneath all of the murkiness.
What did you think of this episode of Perpetual Grace, LTD? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Perpetual Grace, LTD airs Sundays at 10/9c on EPIX.
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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.