Perpetual Grace, LTD Review: Wandering Left (Season 1 Episode 5)
Motivations become clearer on Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 5, “Wandering Left.”
The writing and the direction continues to be top notch, solidifying plights while digging a little deeper into the characters and drives them. The episode also brings out Ben Kingsley’s best scene yet, as he looks to exact revenge on Hector.
The larger focus on Hector helps his character function better. Before, he comes across as perhaps a little incompetent; here, he’s more sympathetic and fleshed out. A few simple scenes of meeting with Dana DeLorenzo’s Valerie, and allowing his insecurities and interests to play out through their encounters, gives Luis Guzman a lot more to perform with.
Speaking of Valerie, she’s been largely absent up until now, and she’s quickly becoming a fun addition. Her way of massaging people into her way of thinking is especially great when trying to sell a car to the older gentleman. Her way of insulting and demeaning, playing to people’s insecurities, is a strange but alluring trait, and entertaining to witness.
James’ origins becoming a little clearer is a nice surprise. His intentions for his share of the money appear to be helping out the family of the firefighter who took his place and died. He’s a lost soul, quite literally the thing Paul is looking for, crashing, also quite literally, into his life at the exact right time.
It’s something Perpetual Grace, LTD is excelling at: taking the literal and making it careful and powerful character development. Glenn’s useful tip that west doesn’t always mean left is another moment of this, as he learned himself on Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 4, “Felipe G. Usted. Almost First Mexican on the Moon. Part 2.”
The episode is more sobering than previous ones, shaking some sense into us over the bad things that have occurred we may have been distracted from with all of the fun. The continuous flashes of the dead girl Paul may be involved in helps remind of why Walker is here, and how James has entered a situation without all of the information he needs.
And yet, the episode has some of the best laughs of the season. Ben Kingsley’s appeal to win the trust of Hector’s boys is both completely strange but so captivating, the lyrical and methodical language of his dialogue infectious in stringing you along. This could easily be his Emmy nomination scene, Pa feeling a little sidelined for a while but now, once again, asserting his dominance on the show.
It’s also the most solid scene for Steven Conrad and Bruce Terris’ co-writing. There’s almost a chaotic manner in the way every character speaks, like they’re spilling their guts while holding something back about themselves at the same time.
Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 5, “Wandering Left,” continues the trend of absolute beautiful photography. Terry O’Quinn’s Walker sitting at the counter as the light bathes in from the window is an astounding shot, as is when he sits on the phone outside Dave’s halfway house and the condensation blocks his features from our view, so he’s only an outline.
There’s this play of light in almost every scene Walker is in. Is it because he’s a pillar of goodness and light for this world? Fate seems to be playing against Walker, however, tucking the photo of the real Paul safely under his passenger seat. Fate is a strange thing on this show, fickle and punishing.
It’s another wonderful episode, one where the characters are first and foremost the showpiece. While it is certainly a slow-moving show, it’s all the better for it.
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.