Perpetual Grace, LTD Review: Bull Face (Season 1 Episode 7)

Temporary fixes become the modus operandi on Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 7, “Bull Face.”

The episode becomes like a new chapter of the story as events centralize back on the Brown homestead and the truth is offered up as an unburdening of the soul. James takes somewhat of a backseat so that all of the other moving pieces can click into place, though his heart-to-heart with Glenn is quite important.

Bonding over absentee fathers is such a touching moment for these two misfits who have become unlikely friends. There’s a sorrow in their conversation that shows them as almost scarred by their fathers, but looking to be the better ones. James telling the truth is becoming a regular occurrence, but telling Glenn, who he could lose a good friend with in the process, shows progress for him.

Ongoing fresh sombrero check-in: it’s all gone to hell. The hat is becoming a symbol, a beacon of emotional trust, with how Glenn is treating it. Offering it to James over his father signifies how much Glenn has become close to James, despite the reveal of being lied to this whole time. Jimmi Simpson plays it with such heartbreak, this cool kid finally finding a friend he hasn’t been fully honest to.

At least now they can be Special Boys without secrets, if the fresh sombrero and Walker’s realization doesn’t come crashing down on them.

Scotty becoming part of the plan is a nice little addition, even if it means she’s sliding back to the darker path. She appears rather pleased to do so, at least, commenting on how she’s missed out on so much over the past couple of years (with some marvelous phrases to boot).

Her inclusion to the team also brings with it a rush on the payday, turning it all back to a two-week affair as originally intended. This plan is so malleable, the way it bends and shifts and changes, to the point where it’s starting to feel clear at this point no one’s ending up with anything.

But there’s nothing wrong with that, in the end. Perpetual Grace, LTD has become this growing magic trick of people getting stuck in impossible situations and finding their way out in ways that lead to even bigger problems. Patriot does this, too, backtracking to end up exactly where you started.

With Uncle Dave and the Joy funeral home (that blurry figure on the porch surely has to be Julian Richings, if I’m not mistaken, another Patriot alum) now asking for a physical body to close the thread, there’s certainly a lot more trouble ahead for James and friends.

Chris Conrad absolutely steals the episode, his scenes creating this endlessly likeable and always fascinating character of New Leaf, who takes no guff from anyone. New Leaf’s genuine annoyance and need to be taken seriously becomes a major boon for the show, especially during his talk with Walker.

The speech he gives on how serious he is about wanting to be free builds and builds, each added language to show how super serious he is becoming this comically genius combination of writing and acting. Conrad, through the way characters talk and the rhythmic (get the rhythm, there you go) way each line of dialogue crescendos off the last, perfectly nails this delicate balance of sympathetic and hilarious.

The opening, with the point-of-view twirling perspective of the barrel in the air, is one of the show’s most poetic images. Coupled with New Leaf’s voiceover, it’s by itself a great view into his character’s mind and playfully telling us to be mindful of a bull’s expression. New Leaf has that very look for a brief moment during his talk with Walker, and it’s an arresting moment.

New Leaf’s become my favorite part of the show, though hopefully his new America-themed gun doesn’t put a damper on James’ plans. Pawning his Lenscrafters gear certainly has the air of finality in it, letting go of his dream to settle the score.

It’s fitting that the consequences of the shoe murder from Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 1, “Eleven,” comes back. This side of the story has been more on the sidelines, and so it becoming integral to Ma and Pa’s journey home is a smart way to tie it back together. Most of the sequence plays out without any dialogue, adding this sense of foreboding as the atmosphere helps play out the scenes.

Ben Bailey and the Cash Cab addition is ridiculous but oh-so-perfect. This distinguished but deadly British man coming all the way to America to kill an old friend from their juvenile days but getting sidetracked by a street reality show is definitely not what one expects when coming to a new episode of Perpetual Grace, LTD.

Timothy Spall’s sour reaction to the Kardashians and the so-called easy questions is a marvelous moment, making this misadventure into something rewarding. I hope the Cash Cab revival coming soon actually has Timothy Spall.

Perpetual Grace, LTD Season 1 Episode 7, “Bull Face,” is one of television’s most riveting episodes of the year. It does so through its pronounced and rewarding characters, and pairing them with rich writing. It’s such a playful show, looking to evoke something so specific and masterfully hitting its every mark, every time.

The show makes incredible use of its whole cast, allowing them all defining moments. Chris Conrad, in particular, stands out on this episode as New Leaf, a performance made of equal parts heartache and frustration but bubbling with perfect comedic timing.

Perpetual Grace, LTD keeps itself on its toes as a series that continues to be surprising episode-to-episode, and cementing itself as one of 2019’s not-to-be-missed shows.

 

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

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