Prodigal Son Review: Pied-a-Terre (Season 1 Episode 9)

Malcolm Bright even mansplains in his dreams.

Telling the Girl in the Box what kind of sword she is wielding? What a nightmare, indeed. 

Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 9, “Pied-a-Terre,” is a cringefest that tries to convince us that it is okay to be turned on by the traumas of murder. 

It’s not. 

The way Bright’s therapist, a CHILD psychologist, spits out the word, “sex,” is more than bizarre; it’s inappropriate. The “walk on sunshine/gonna get laid” scene that follows is equally disturbing. 

None of the attempts at humor from Bright land.

The acting is weak, but it’s not just that. The writing wants to make fun of how Bright deals with his childhood trauma as an adult and to take his superpowers seriously. 

The opposite should be true. Prodigal Son should be making fun of Bright’s narcissism and inflated sense of self, and it should be taking his PTSD seriously. 

The most eye-roll-worthy aspect of “Pied-a-Terre,” is how it treats Dr. Edrisa. 

Keiko Agena is doing the best she can with the character, but the writing and characterization shamefully and forcefully push her into a box. 

Dr. Edrisa was already portrayed as outlandish on Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 8, “Family Friend.” On “Pied-A-Terre,” she’s a full-on joke. 

The doctor, who,  unlike Bright, has earned her right to have an opinion on the cases, practically drools over the word gonads to showcase her lust for Bright. 

Seriously?

Bright treats her like a silly girl. He humors her affection while never giving the slightest indication that hse is a possible love interest. 

She shares his penchant for the morbid, is in the same office, and is hot.

Prodigal Son seems to think that an Asian-American woman with a murder lens on life is ridiculous and not to be taken seriously as a sexual person. However, a white man with a murder lens is irresistible. 

JT is strong on the episode. If only he had more than 30 seconds of dialogue or development. Playing pool with his wife, only to have the entire experience highjacked by Bright so we don’t get to know him or his wife at all, is not sufficient. 

Eve’s potential role in the larger Dr. Whitly mystery is interesting. Her relationship with Bright is not.

I hope she’s playing Bright. At least that would be more interesting. 

I still adore any scene between Jessica and Gil. “Pied-e-Terre,” gives us a tender face caress. I am all in on this ship!

Jessica is actually developing nicely as a character. She is complex and has a clear perspective. Gil has less backstory and development. 

When he’s with Jessica, though, his protective nature and longing for partnership come through. 

Prodigal Son isn’t going to get back to three or more stars until Michael Sheen returns. 

Maybe then the nightmare will end and we can get back to the good stuff. 

Case Notes

• The girl in the box is legitimately frightening. I’m excited to see her again. 
• All the players in the high-end fantasy sex are white. The show needs to be paying so much more attention to racial biases. 
• I’d like to date Jessica. Imagine Gil on a helicopter ride. I dig it. 
• I was hoping we’d see Meagan Good as the FBI leader. Prodigal Son is going to greatly benefit from the return of Good and Sheen. 
• There are no queer characters on this show. Let’s fix that real soon, shall we?

 

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

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Prodigal Son airs Mondays at 9/8c on Fox.

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