Stumptown Review: Reality Checks Don’t Bounce (Season 1 Episode 10)
Stumptown returns from its winter hiatus with the mostly lackluster Stumptown Season 1 Episode 10, “Reality Checks Don’t Bounce.”
Lackluster is still better than the frustration of the winter finale, Stumptown Season 1 Episode 9, “Dex Education,” and to be fair the last third of “Reality Checks Don’t Bounce” is actually very good. The first two-thirds of the episode though are just dull and it’s hard to say exactly why.
There is nothing particularly wrong with the episode as far as script or plot. It has a lot of the elements that make for a good Stumptown episode. There’s a quirky case with an oddball cast of characters, significant screen time of Dex working her case wearing stellar jackets, and even the brief return of her car’s mixtape.
JILL BASEY
Things just fall a little flat in its execution until over halfway through the episode. It’s saved by some good scenes between Ansel and Dex and the surprisingly bittersweet resolution of Dex’s case and the relationship between the two brothers at the center of it.
The scenes between Dex and Ansel are really the heart of “Reality Checks Don’t Bounce” even if they were a little on the nose. The episode practically spells out what would have been more effective as subtext, that Dex’s reluctance to let Ansel move out is more about her needing him than him not being ready for that type of independence.
What would have made those scenes even better is if Dex’s emotional dependence on Ansel, their bond, and their history had been developed more earlier in the season so the already established emotional stakes informed the story rather than heavy-handed metaphors.
JAKE JOHNSON, MICHAEL EALY
Despite the missed potential to raise the emotional resonance of Dex and Ansel’s relationship, the scenes between them are quite touching and allow the “Reality Checks Don’t Bounce” to end on a satisfying note. It’s also great to see Ansel continue to develop as a fully fleshed-out character.
Ansel is an example of much-needed representation. It’s wonderful to see them tell a story for him about wanting independence and to live his own life.
One thing Stumptown does consistently well is that they never make Ansel feel like a token character. This development of having him move out offers a storyline that is also about his growth and development and not just the role he plays in Dex’s story.
While the fact that Ansel has down syndrome is certainly part of his struggle for independence, it’s ultimately a more universal story of growing up and striking out on your own told through a character that happens to have down syndrome.
COBIE SMULDERS
Elsewhere on “Reality Checks Don’t Bounce” there is very little development on the love triangle front, especially given the dramatic way the winter finale ends.
I am more than happy to put that story on the back burner for a bit, but it does feel a little anti-climactic. At this point, everyone is trying to put the genie back in the bottle but it’s pretty clear that won’t last long.
Hopefully, they manage to keep the love triangle in the background long enough for Grey and Miles to develop an actual friendship and maybe make this triangle at least mildly more interesting.
I also have to say that early on if forced to choose who I preferred to see Dex with, I said Miles over Grey (the true answer being neither). Miles, however, is kind of a jerk on “Reality Checks Don’t Bounce.”
MICHAEL EALY, RAMON CAMACHO
I understand having some hurt feeling about being rejected by Dex, but it feels like he is completely pushing her away when her reason for saying no is that she wants to get her life together, something everyone knows she needs to do, feels sort of selfish.
As unconvincing as Grey’s assertion that he and Dex are good after the Liz debacle is, I appreciate him not pushing her into a relationship just because he recently acknowledged that he still has romantic feelings for her.
“Reality Checks Don’t Bounce,” marks Stumptown‘s return with more of a whimper than a bang but it’s a passable episode, and the bright spots it does have do just enough to keep it from being completely forgettable.
What did you think of this episode of Stumptown? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Stumptown airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.
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Sarah Fields
Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.
One thought on “Stumptown Review: Reality Checks Don’t Bounce (Season 1 Episode 10)”
Surprised you would have ever wanted Dex to be with Miles! We have been able to piece Dex’s past life together and see where she is today!! As for Grey we’ve seen a man who made mistakes in the past and how he has gone straight! We also know that for six years he protected Dex and Ansel!! And he is willing to let Ansel work for him and stay with him!!
But what about Miles??? We know he’s a cop!! Nothing has been exposed about his past but we have learned a lot about his character!! He is a user!!! A sexist and narcissist who not only doesn’t care about Dex’s problems or any woman’s he dismisses them!! He used Dex for sex and to solve some of his cases! From the first episode he tells Cosgrove that he has a handle on her and will use it as long as he can!!! This is confirmed throughout the episodes!! He goes to whining to Grey about Dex….poor guy she isn’t falling all over him after two times having sex with her and two failed dates!! He doesn’t enlist Grey volunteering his time he threatens him to do his bidding! He is a cruel cop who does abusive, cruel or downright illegal things for his own benefit! He and Grey will never be friends!!! I’m sure there is great resentment by Grey for being forced to do his bidding!!! Did he do the same thing to his supposed undercover friend who got killed?? He is putting Grey in the same danger for his own laurels and to get rid of Grey who Dex most likely loves! If Grey gets critically injured this will send Dex to Grey! Can’t lose Benny and Grey!! I don’t expect a love triangle because events will uncover the true nature of the dark character of Miles!!!
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