Lodge 49 Review: All Circles Vanish (Season 2 Episode 1)

Change happens, and it happens fast. On Lodge 49 Season 2 Episode 1, “All Circles Vanish,” the tides of change leave a hole in each character, as things aren’t as they used to be and there’s going to be a lot of effort to get it back.

From new owners at the pool shop, to Shamrock’s being condemned, to Ernie disassociating with the lodge, it’s not easy to keep hold of the past as it fades away. But there are mementos to hold onto, like the old commercial of the Dudley pool shop, a strong reminder of the good times. It’s the reminder of those good times that make the difficult times less burdensome.

Dud thinking that his shark bite cured his snake bite is such a fun little character trait, seeing a tragic event as a positive a perfect look into how his endless enthusiasm and cheerful outlook is at odds with most people around him. While Liz, Ernie, and the rest see the big picture with a bleakness, Dud sees opportunity and the bright side.

With Blaise as the only other character with the same level of enthusiasm, and Blaise and Dud now working together as master and apprentice, their team-up will bring some cheer and optimism to the season, at least.

The law provider offering Dud a settlement is likely another dead end for him, another lucrative Captain type deal; even Burt the pawnbroker has some skepticism. But he can’t help himself from holding onto a little more of Dud’s belongings, a fun little trend. He does get to sell that fancy owl clock in the process, so really it’s a win-win. Mary Elizabeth Ellis joining the show is a nice little surprise.

The show has always been a rare case of showing regular working class characters who are just scraping by. With Liz and her former boss now in temp jobs, it’s the uncertainty of change, and what uncertainty does to simply enjoying something, where a lot of Lodge 49’s most interesting messages come from.

Liz’s celebration of becoming debt-free is married to the fact that she isn’t sure what defines her beyond that. It’s an existential question, of what makes someone important in the grand scheme of things, and it’s a fantastic direction to take Liz down.

She seems to be getting involved in fraud evasion on behalf of her new “doctor” boss, so that will surely be a bumpy ride ahead.

Dud, as well, looks to be striking back into the pool cleaning business, stealing Booie’s equipment. Dud will never let go of the past, no matter the change that’s at play around him.

Ernie, meanwhile, is off his game after the trip with El Confidente. It led to getting a lodge lynx tattoo on his chest and apparently stealing the tiger van. Is his new funk because he realizes the folly in the whole lodge and all of his lost time, or is there something more profound at play? He’s reminiscing of the good old days and avoiding his usual joys, so it’s fairly serious, whatever happened.

But six weeks later, he’s on a crashing plane with Dud and Paul Giamatti’s author character, scrolls in hand, which in itself is one of the wildest moments the show has done before. It’s going to be fascinating to see how the show ends up there, especially with an Orbis mascot with its head on fire stealing one of the last parachutes.

Another aspect of Lodge 49 that continues to be fascinating is the amount of connections at play.

At one moment, Connie is looking through a strange circulating contraption Clara refers to as an “orbisphere,” which is a twofold reference. There’s the significant resemblance to the hospital room Dud is in at the opening of the episode, spinning away; but there’s also the company, Orbis, who is the cause of so much madness from the first season.

There’s even an Orbis mascot on fire during the opening sequence on the plane, and an Orbis figurine on Liz’s temp job desk. It’s great to see Lodge 49 isn’t shying away from having layers on top of its layers for fans to notice.

The new owners of Pool Party taking over the location of the old Dudley pool shop is another sign of deep change coming to Lodge 49. The new owners are joined by the terrifying new character Booie, whose insane stare and grotesque bluntness leave a chilling effect. While he’s unnerving, I do hope he returns from time to time.

The supporting cast getting more time is a welcome addition to the episode. It’s rewarding through telling snippets of their lives, the strip mall full of fascinating characters who are a support system for one another. Bringing them into the spotlight a little more will add so much more life to the show, while telling a bigger picture of the time and place they all find themselves in.

Lodge 49 Season 2 Episode 1, “All Circles Vanish,” is a magical return. That the show can tell a serious story of people trying to make their way in the world, while also telling a hangout story with mysteries and mysticism, and combining them both with heart and comedy, is a testament for how special it really is. It’s all of these things, and all the better for it.

The change coming to their lives may have them pining for better times, but the transition will lead them down paths of potential. It just may be bumpy getting there. Dud trying to get Liz to join the lodge is a sign of perhaps more characters coming into the fold and finding what’s missing. But for now, we’ll have to enjoy them finding themselves.

Some stray thoughts on the episode:

• Books continue to be a big part of the background. Two books that appear on the episode are Frank Herbert’s Dune by Dud’s hospital bed, and Evan Connell’s The White Lantern (a book that figures into a lot of the show’s themes), which is being read by the British lodge member watching over Connie.
• There is finally a sequel to “The Prague Paradox” from the first season, narrated by Paul Giamatti. This time it’s “Operation Oslo.”
• Brian Doyle-Murray encouraging Ernie to find some hobbies, like his online poetry classes, is another sign that Bob is one of the best side characters.

 

What did you think of this episode of Lodge 49? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Lodge 49 airs Mondays at 10/9c on AMC.

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