Big Sky Review: Nice Animals (Season 1 Episode 14)
Blake’s funeral is totally bonkers, but we expect nothing less from the Kleinsasser Family and the fun spectacle of a show that is Big Sky.
Season 1 Episode 14, “Nice Animals,” has a lot of grave digging, and it ends making me wonder who will be put in the ground next. I am hoping maybe it’s Horst Kleinsasser (Ted Levine), the cold-blooded head of the family, and I am hoping that Margaret (Michelle Forbes) is the one to put him there.
My favorite aspect about Big Sky is its willingness to lean in to the absurd, and this episode does not disappoint—the dysfunctional Kleinsassers shine in this area. And Ronald (Brian Geraghty) continues to provide this well-crafted madness that is so fun to watch.
Fear is a big part of a killer’s philosophy. At least it is for unhinged murderers Rand Kleinsasser (Ryan Dorsey) and Ronald Pergman. Rand gets wistful telling his brother about his dream of some sort of serial killer amusement park with a fright maze.
John Wayne: It’s a bad idea, Rando.
Rand: No, it ain’t. I’ve thought it all out. I got all these theme nights planned. I got killer clowns, chainsaw cannibals. I even got these freaky little kids with tiny little fangs. I got all these drawings I can show you. I got all these good ideas that come to me when I’m in the woods. ‘Cause people love to be scared.
I agree with that last statement, people do love to be scared, but I don’t think Rand has a successful venture on his hands with this. Although, it might be considered a success to him as long as he gets to witness the horror. “It’s gonna be awesome,” he says, looking off into the distance, imagining what it would be like to terrorize strangers for profit.
This brotherly convo happens while they dig their eldest brother’s grave, a brother that John Wayne (Kyle Schmid) killed with a shovel while digging up the body of a ranchhand that Rand killed. I’ve got to keep a tally or spreadsheet going here, methinks.
The men aren’t the only ones in the family that behave erratically. Mama Kleinsasser has some great vengeful moments that are the highlights of the episode for me. In two instances, she whispers biting messages to her husband and her son.
To Horst, she promises to kill him, and it’s believable—she confides with Cheyenne (Britt Robertson) that she’s tried to poison him before.
Margaret: I swear to god, that man is too mean to die.
There is a very dramatic push-in to her on this line, and it is comical and fitting—just the right amount of seriousness and camp.
At the funeral, Margaret goes to John Wayne and whispers that she knows what he did. Then, in front of everyone, she embraces him in the most awkward, weirdest, forceful hug ever.
Ronald’s philosophy leans toward fear being a necessity rather than entertainment like Rand.
Ronald/Arthur: We’re made better by the knowledge that there are things out there that could kill us.
He tells this to his girlfriend’s daughter who is distressed at the thought of a predatory animal killing another. At the end of the episode, she finds him burying her aunt Mary’s body out in the woods. It’s highly conceivable that Ronald will kill her to keep his crimes a secret.
Earlier in the season, Ronald abducts and essentially tortures a 12-year-old paperboy, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he sets his deadly sights on this little girl.
Stray Observations:
- It’s very reminiscent of the last shot of The Godfather when Horst closes the door to attend to “family business” as Margaret looks on.
- “You have a nice night, Sheriff. See you in the future.”
- “S’mores for breakfast!” At least it’s not cereal, I guess.
- The way Horst kneels down to tell Margaret his “one truth” is such a great detail that Levine brings to this character.
- “Every time I look at our children, all I can see is everything that’s wrong with you.” Harsh.
- I don’t want more of Mark’s backstory. He’s like a boring Fox Mulder with none of the paranormal fixation or appeal.
- What is with this piece of art (with blood splatters?!) that Margaret made for Blake? I need to know more.
- “I want to go to Paris.” Yeah, okay, Margaret. Good luck with that.
What did you think of this episode of Big Sky? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Big Sky airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on ABC.
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Erin Allen
Erin is a former script supervisor for film and television. She's an avid fan of middle aged actresses, dark dramas, and irreverent comedies. She loves to read actual books and X-Files fan fiction. Her other passions include pointing out feminist issues, shipping Mulder and Scully, and collecting pop culture mugs.