Prodigal Son Review: Ouroboros (Season 2 Episode 8)

Something that works consistently well with Prodigal Son is that the whole cast works together flawlessly. Every single person bounces off of the other perfectly, making scenes even over the phone seem extremely organic.

This is why it’s so upsetting that the biggest disappointment about Prodigal Son Season 2 Episode 8, Ouroboros,” is Simon Hoxley, played by Alan Cumming. 

Though his character is meant to rival Martin, or the Whitly family as a whole, he’s a lot meaner and more aggressive than even Martin himself is sometimes. Where Martin usually goes for the bare minimum details, Hoxley goes all the way in, getting a little too personal with every single person he meets.

Knowing we, of course, aren’t supposed to root for or even like Hoxley, Malcolm still goes out of his way to make sure he stayed safe.

This, I think, is why Malcolm is such a fascinating character. The very best thing about him is that no matter who it is — be it someone literally shooting at you or investigating your whole family — his first instinct is to help in whatever way he can. 

Placing Malcolm and Martin on the same spectrum, which is what happens more often than not, especially in the case of Hoxley comparing the two, Malcolm’s selflessness is what helps balance the show so well.

They’re two very opposite ends, they almost mirror each other. One is incredibly dark, literally murderous, doing things for his gain only, while the other has made a career out of helping people find closure, literally deeming himself Bright. 

Malcolm uses the negative things he’s gained from his father and pushes it outwards, towards public support, community healing, instead of harm. While, yes, Malcolm is in the same business of death and murder, and people love pointing that out, the show does great in instances, such as on “Ouroboros,” when he’s far too close to a case. 

The dynamic between Martin and Dr. Capshaw (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is… strange, to say the least. I know they need to give Martin a new b-plot, but is this the best way to go? When it comes to situations like this, I can’t help but think about what it would be like if the roles were reversed. 

As we see with the scissors debacle, Capshaw isn’t afraid to hold her power over Martin. Clearly, he’s impressed with it — with her — but it feels like in this situation, the power dynamic is almost too off-balance.

The kiss they share could also be translated as Martin trying to use Capshaw to make what he thinks will be his eventual escape, which is more to be expected from a character like him.

Martin Whitly is the epitome of a character we love to hate — or loathe to like. When he’s defending his family, as he does in this episode, it lets us know that although he’s killed 23 people, there is somehow one thing he still cares about deeply.

It’s clear that Martin will fight for his family no matter what the cost, and that’s when his character is at his best. 

Stray Thoughts

• A nasty kind of arrogant, Simon Hoxley’s one-liners are absolutely hilarious. My favorite one by far was him exclaiming “I can’t die in Brooklyn!” after he’s shot in the leg.
• Bellamy Young as a whole. She was absolutely made to play Jessica Whitly. Her perfectly timed eye-rolls and deep sighs are the best. 
• When Ainsley looked directly into Simon Hoxley’s face and says “tell me what it was like to catch the woman who murdered Nicholas Endicott.” Man, I do not trust that girl. I love her, but I don’t trust her. 

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

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Prodigal Son airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on FOX.

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