Lodge 49 Review: Estrella y Mar (Season 2 Episode 5)

A tougher tone takes hold of Lodge 49 Season 2 Episode 5, “Estrella Y Mar,” as the cast of Lodge 49 find themselves unfulfilled and seeking something they either lost or never realized they needed.

The Dudley siblings realize this more and more with each passing day. Both struggle to find their place in this weird world, Dud on a track to find it, even if lackadaisically, while Liz aimlessly looks for that thing anywhere she can.

Lenore is perhaps a stopgap for what Liz is looking for, which is some sort of normalcy and a mother figure, but it’s stripped from her during the horse track scene, ripping away that normalcy and leaving her with another dead end that, at least, is a nice-while-it-lasted relationship.

Liz being reduced to tears can be read a few different ways: is she realizing Lenore’s harsh words are true, that she’s her mother figure? Or is it the psychic’s words taking root, and the horse’s broken leg and being put down subliminally reminding her of Dud, the one she’s afraid the most of losing? He speaks of everyone’s twin being born apart, seeking each other out. Maybe there’s something to it.

Is it loneliness Liz fears most? It happens to be the conclusion Dud reaches about his father late at night in the trailer. It could be the conclusion to make about everyone on the show, really, that the lodge is a purpose to find a cure to loneliness. Everyone is fighting to find the connections they lost or to find new connections to fill the hole that the past connections left behind.

Dud’s marriage to Beth is short-lived, but it’s a massive learning experience for him. Ernie’s words of wisdom come in clear contrast, that wanting to run errands with someone is a sign of love, the rip of the grocery list in half a sign, of many, that Beth’s second guessing and Dud’s concussion led to impulses neither thought through (which are very clear on Lodge 49 Season 2 Episode 4, “Conjunctio”).

But who could guess Blaise’s lack of nail gun experience could be the catalyst to wake Beth up? Blaise has that way of causing sudden moments of surprise, much like the worm coming out of his nose during the first season. His taking shelter in the lodge leaves him scattershot, but he does manage to disappear from a sealed off room, so maybe his decline leads to an ascension (or probably another secret room).

Ernie finds some solace in Connie’s return, even if it’s leaving both Scott and himself more confused than before. But it appears both are on a road of making Connie happy, with some of their own caveats and attempts to steer Connie’s happiness (like Scott’s renovation of the second floor), but it’s progress.

The mystery side of Lodge 49 unravels a little more, with L. Marvin Metz (Paul Giamatti) at the bookstore ramming his head through the bookstore glass door after being asked a question. Since he’s present on Lodge 49 Season 2 Episode 1, “All Circles Vanish,” is the question to do with the lodge or the scrolls? Plus, one of the bookstore employees happens to be one of the gift basket fellows from the first season.

The mysteries still manage to be elusive, hazy but still present enough to be intriguing. It’s through the themes and what they mean to the characters where Lodge 49 Season 2 Episode 5, “Estrella Y Mar,” finds its most important moments. It’s through their interactions, their attempts to chop up the monotony and rough times of making ends meet, where the show finds its most fun and importance.

But those mysteries are starting to become rather enticing again.

Some stray thoughts on the episode:

• Liz’s shirt with a duck and the phrase, “Too Duckin’ Early,” might be the greatest shirt.
• Not sure if this is new, but L. Marvin Metz has a website. It could be something to watch for, in case it updates now that Paul Giamatti’s character is slowly coming into the picture more with each episode.

 

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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