Blindspotting Review: The Four Hustlateers (Season 1 Episode 4)
Blindspotting Season 1 Episode 4, “The Four Hustlateers,” fleshes out our core characters via their relationships with each other. While some folks may scoff at a character-driven episode by referring to it as “filler,” it’s vital that we learn more about these characters. Otherwise, how will we root for them or yearn for their downfall?
So far, Blindspotting has carefully planted the seeds of its narrative, especially where its characters are concerned. Quite a few shows make the blunder of shifting the majority of their focus to action and plot, sidelining character development altogether. Thankfully, that’s not the case here.
“The Four Hustlateers” explores the bond between Ashley and Rainey, as well as the burgeoning friendship between Janelle and Earl. The unifying factor for this quartet? Weed. As always, Jasmine Cephas Jones delivers the goods as our lead, Ashley.
Additionally, Candace Nicholas-Lippman imbues Janelle with an easygoing groundedness, and it’s clear why she’s close friends with Ashley. Benjamin Earl Turner is immensely endearing as the affable Earl. Blindspotting is potentially laying the groundwork for a Janelle/Earl romance and, judging by their innate chemistry, it would be a welcome one.
ASHLEY: There’s “piscopalian,” Presbyterian, and “pescapalian.”
EARL: Only one of those is real. Do you know which one?
“The Four Hustlateers” is steeped in nostalgia as Ashley, Janelle, Rainey, and Earl reminisce about the past, particularly through the lens of their teenage years. It’s an homage to the Blindspotting film, this show’s predecessor, notably with the mention of Collin, Daveed Diggs’ character.
There’s a beautifully performed dance sequence that serves as the episode’s button. It depicts Miles and Collin’s friendship, and its intermittent ebbs and flows. Besides the instrumentation that complements the dancing, there’s no sound.
Blindspotting seamlessly weaves musical interludes like this one into its story without skipping a beat.
As per the show’s usual, we get to see Ashley in the throes of motherhood, learning to make life-altering decisions and exploring what it means to be a mother. Her scenes with Rainey also dive into the tireless work that accompanies motherhood. Helen Hunt shines here, giving Rainey a resiliency that comes with age while also injecting her with equal parts empathy and straightforwardness.
RAINEY: We moms get to keep our secrets, don’t we? We hold them for the family, right?
Sometimes secrets are a necessary evil, and Ashley learns this when she takes a peek into Rainey’s closet. Some secrets keep the family safe.
Blindspotting‘s first season only has eight episodes, so it’ll be interesting to see how the back half plays out. While the show’s meticulous worldbuilding and character work are crucial, here’s hoping that it culminates into a substantial narrative payoff. Regardless, it’s an intriguing piece of art that tackles tough subject matter with comedic flair and heartwarming characters.
What did you think of this episode of Blindspotting? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Blindspotting airs Sundays at 9/8c on Starz.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.