Ratched Review: Angel of Mercy or Murderer? (Season 1 Episodes 1-4)

Anyone who has seen any type of Ryan Murphy production knows they are in for a wild ride once they climb aboard. Netflix’s new suspenseful drama, Ratched, is no different. 

If you are familiar with classic film, you likely already know who Nurse Ratched is. After all, she is a major player in the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. This drama centers on her origins at Lucia State Hospital.

However, within the first four episodes of this new series our senses are bombarded with multiple storylines and more information than we can easily keep up with. It’s meant to highlight the fractured/damaged psyche of both Nurse Ratched and Dr. Hanover but ultimately comes across as busy and overzealous at times.

Starting with Ratched Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” and moving right along to Ratched Season 1 Episode 4, “Angel of Mercy: Part Two,” the show introduces us to no less than eight major story plots. That is more than necessary.

Sure, many of the separate storylines mold into each other, and for the most part, it works to keep us on our toes and at the edge of our seats anticipating the next move. Unfortunately, some of the extra stories take away from the main plot of Nurse Ratched working her way up into the good graces of Dr. Hanover. 

While it’s nice to see the story between Mrs. Cartwright and Ingrid as it creates a bit of bittersweet sunshine amidst all the chaos, we can do without the story between Edmund and Dolly. To be honest, at this point in the story there doesn’t seem to be any real purpose for showing them masturbating together and kissing. 

If the point is to show just how removed from average human behavior Edmund is, then it’s definitely not necessary. Showing him committing his heinous act at the start of “Pilot” is more than enough of a venture into his mindset. 

The other plot point that doesn’t seem to make much sense or matter that much is the subplot of Charles Wainright fulfilling Mrs. Osgood’s bounty on Dr. Hanover. We still don’t know what the full story is about what happened between Dr. Hanover and the woman’s son, Henry. 

This could be why the plot doesn’t seem all that important yet. By not knowing the full story, we are left in the dark as to why we should even care — especially considering Dr. Hanover doesn’t seem to be anything worthy of his stature.

Overall, the complaints about this new intense, thrilling drama are few and far between. Ryan Murphy is no slouch when it comes to creating a compelling story that will easily capture our attention and hold it throughout the whole season. 

The whole premise of following Nurse Ratched as she charms and manipulates her way into a position of power at the State Hospital is exciting on its own. Even after four episodes we still aren’t entirely sure who she truly is. 

Is Nurse Ratched a mercenary or a murderer? Is she really setting these people free or is she merely — much like her brother Edmund — releasing her own murderous desires? 

The way Murphy and the writers have set it up, that decision lies within the heart of the viewer. It’s not a clear cut answer and that alone pulls us in and keeps us coming back for more.

Sarah Paulson is a force onscreen that draws us in with a voice as smooth as butter. Despite her violent tendencies, Ratched has a way of putting us at ease and makes us believe that she is there to help, all of which is a testament to Paulson’s skills at commanding a scene. 

Paulson isn’t the only strong force in the cast though — in fact, she is surrounded by extremely talented individuals. Her scenes with Cynthia Nixon are so intimately charged that we come out of them a bit hazy on how much time we just spent within their orbit. 

Whether their characters are speaking to one another professionally or personally, there is a spark of want and desire between them that draws us all in like a moth to a flame. It makes our hearts ache for Ratched and Briggs as they navigate a world where everything about who they really are could get them committed.

Even still, Ratched is the only one who can stomach watching Dr. Hanover perform lobotomies. If we watch her eyes during the water treatment of Mrs. Cartwright, we can see where her heart actually lies. She secretly finds the therapies enforced by Nurse Bucket to be overly cruel and inhumane. 

That’s what makes her story that much harder to interpret. She has so many captivating — at times contradicting — layers that make us want more and more from her. 

On one hand, it seems that some of her actions are that of mercy for those involved because she uses her own experiences to find the empathy needed for her patients. However, her final act toward Charles Wainwright tells a different story. 

Ratched didn’t need to kill Charles; she could have chosen to take the route of protecting Dr. Hanover. But maybe like her brother, she doesn’t know the proper way to interact and connect with humans, and so she thinks killing Charles will give Dr. Hanover the protection he needs. 

At this point in the story, I’m interested to find out where this journey with Dr. Hanover is going to lead Nurse Ratched. How exactly does she plan on “dealing with Nurse Bucket,” as she tells Huck?

And what exactly is the meaning of the lighting changing to green during certain scenes? 

These questions and other more complex queries are what keep us coming back for more with the second half of the season. If Ratched is anything like other Murphy productions, there is still only about a 50/50 chance that the season wrap-up will be satisfactory. 

 

What did you think of these episodes of Ratched? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Ratched is now streaming on Netflix.

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