I Know This Much Is True Review: Season 1 Episode 2

The tragic saga of the Birdsey twins continues on I Know This Much Is True Season 1 Episode 2. In fact, if possible their story has managed to get even more troubled and tortured.

Up to this point, it seems that the focus of this story is Dominick’s perspective of Thomas’ struggles. However, like many stories with this kind of narrator, the perspective can’t be completely trusted. 

Because we are only seeing things as Dominick sees them we sometimes fail to see just how much he is struggling. The great thing about this show is that Dominick’s point of view somehow manages to still give us some of that.

We get to see just how much Thomas’ illness tortures and burdens Dominick. And through the conversation with Dr. Patel at the end of the episode, we also get to see just how he appears to other people.

Dr. Patel is our first example of shining a spotlight on Dominick instead of Thomas. She may be Thomas’ doctor while at the mental hospital but through her interaction with Dominick she is able to turn the tide to him instead.

For the first time, we get a glimpse of just how much Dominick is turned off of talking about the past. She keeps probing him and he keeps changing the subject away from himself or shooting her down directly. 

This relationship is going to be as equally as important as the story progresses as the one between Thomas and Dominick. Just because Thomas is the one with a diagnosed illness doesn’t mean he’s the only one in the Birdsey family to have suffered a heavy burden. 

Dr. Patel: I learned something today. I learned that there are two young men lost in the woods, not one.

Before he even meets Dr. Patel, Dominick narrates the story of his ex-wife and the loss of their daughter, Angela. It’s evident that this loss pushed the two of them toward divorce, but at what cost to Dominick.

I’d be interested to see Dr. Patel help Dominick open up about that loss and what it means to his current mental state and view of the world around him. Is this loss what causes Dominick to be so hasty to turn toward anger or is it something else?

At this point in the story, I am much more intrigued by Dominick’s arc than I Thomas’s. It’s as Dr. Patel says, Thomas sees Dominick as his healthier half — the half unburdened by mental illness.

But is he really? An argument could be made that while Dominick doesn’t have a severe mental illness he does suffer from a milder form of mental illness.

A person who is of complete sound mind doesn’t just give up their successful career as an educator to paint houses. Something tells me that the loss of his daughter is just the tip of the iceberg as to what plagues Dominick’s mind.

It doesn’t help that Dominick himself is surrounded by people who may not be the most stable for him. Dessa is maybe the best person for him to be around and she’s somewhat estranged due to their divorce. 

The most telling interaction is the one between Dominick and his ex-brother-in-law, Leo as they discuss the developments in Thomas’ case. This is a man who is encouraging Dominick to threaten the authorities with a lawsuit in order to see his brother.

Leo’s idea to not actually drop the suit after being permitted to see Thomas is a clear indicator of his character. Here is a man who is more intent on “get rich quick schemes” than actually working hard for his money. After all, he finds auditions more important than his actual job.

Leo is potentially toxic for Dominick because he can sway Dominick’s more aggressive side to make decisions that are not actually in the best interest of Thomas’s care. Leo’s approach calls for a more selfish standpoint and that isn’t what Thomas or Dominick needs.

The other not so savory character in Dominick’s life right now is Joy. His girlfriend seems flighty and not very committed to anything of importance.

Their conversation at the start of the episode about media coverage shows just how out of sync these two really are and dictates how we will view the relationship moving forward. It’s evident early on that Joy wants what Joy wants and doesn’t like the responses Dominick gives her about anything.

She gets upset with him about not wanting to have the media circus interview his brother. It’s clear in both Dominick’s words and body language that this is the last thing he wants for his fragile brother, but also himself and she just doesn’t see it.

Then despite Dominick telling her, he doesn’t really want Thad around in their home, she brings Thad over anyways. The fight that follows has clearly been coming the whole episode. 

Dominick is stressed to the max about all the decisions he now has to make and deal with in regards to Thomas and, instead of being supportive, his girlfriend is demanding even more from him. Joy is evidently much younger than Dominick and so she is a bit more selfish.

However, that doesn’t excuse her words of frustration about how she isn’t crazy enough to get Dominick’s attention. Joy needs to take a step back and realize that she is not his priority right now, his brother is.

If she wants him to be different and to spend more time on her then maybe this relationship isn’t the thing for her right now. 

This is not to say Dominick is completely blameless. He could give her a bit more time of day even if it’s just to acknowledge that she is there and he appreciates her.

Unless this is just a set up for him to reveal that he doesn’t actually care for her after all. Either way, Dominick’s priority needs to be his brother because he knows that he is his brother’s only advocate.

That itself is probably the most tragic part of the twins’ story. Thomas is a by-product of a system that doesn’t completely understand what is best for him or how to best handle him.

Dominick is at the point of being completely over his head and the addition of Lisa and Dr. Patel is going to be course changing for him. The issue at stake is Dominick’s need to open up more. 

Because he is of sound mind, Dominick can be the key to unlocking his brother and getting him the best treatment possible. It’s hard to tell how much of what a schizophrenic is saying is based in truth — Dominick is their best resource because he’s the only person alive who has taken every step alongside Thomas.

As we unlock more within Thomas and by extension Dominick, the more convoluted the story is going to get. The lines between each brother’s life are going to blur together more and more as we continue on this journey with them.

This show is not for the faint of heart or for anyone looking for a pick-me-up. Even if the words and story don’t say it the setting effectively does. 

The lighting and constant cloudiness give off a feeling of depression and suffering. There is hardly any sun and none of the music is upbeat either.

This translates into the conclusion that there is nothing happy or cheerful about the lives of Thomas and Dominick Birdsey.

What did you think of this episode of I Know This Much Is True? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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I Know This Much Is True airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.

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