The Republic of Sarah Review: The Criminals It Deserves (Season 1 Episode 5)

Sarah faces her most unique disaster yet on The Republic of Sarah Season 1 Episode 5, “The Criminals It Deserves,” but there are still flaws in the execution of Maya’s deportation storyline.

We know she is charged as an adult because the current town laws are archaic and we are told she’s considered an “outsider” or an “immigrant” because she has lived in Greylock for less than six months. So, I see an easy way around the charge — amend the law because Maya’s guardian Luis is a Greylock citizen. 

Loopholes aside, it is maddening that Sarah is taking a completely reactive approach to leading rather than a proactive one. She only tackles issues when they smack her in the face. But I have been wondering since The Republic of Sarah Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” why Greylock citizens do not take the time to set up a constitution of some sort. 

Checks and balances would come naturally and having government officials who oppose Sarah’s actions would add a lot more natural conflict than watching Sarah and her friends find their way around some random citizen’s complaint or dilemma. 

 The Republic of Sarah conveniently has people in positions when it’s needed for a story arc, but we are also meant to believe the country is being built from scratch. It’s confusing. 

I like Sarah, yet I have to agree with Weston’s assessment that she is a dictator, which is the most compelling layer of “The Criminals It Deserves.”

Maya’s trial is risky and it is surprising to see Danny and Sarah team up for a political win of sorts, but as soon as Sarah gets the idea it’s pretty clear that the verdict will be that Maya is deported. What the heck is the point of the trial if Sarah just reverses the decision? 

Luis makes a heartfelt case that leaders should admit when they are wrong. But in the end, she’s still just doing what she wants, even if it is the right thing to do. 

Laws and governments exist so that issues are handled “fairly” and there is no way to do that if Sarah is the only person with power, even though she is a good person.

She is a history teacher and her mother is the former senator, not her. Reversing her decision because it affects a former student and not just Lydon workers makes her look weak when all is said and done. 

The whole issue would be easier to understand if we go with Maya to her party, but we don’t. We are told that she is drunk and causes destruction, but no one is hurt. Considering this is a small-town drama it’s all much ado about nothing, which is  a pattern on The Republic of Sarah. 

The episode is stronger because we don’t have to worry about Bella and Tyler.

Maya’s struggles are definitely more complex and worth more screentime than two teenagers worried about having sex for the first time. All power to the person who decided to take that storyline slowly and realistically, but it’s still true. 

When we are not with Sarah, the only characters who demand a lot of attention are AJ and Alexis; their affair keeps getting sadder and sadder to watch. 

Thank goodness Corrinne is trying her best to get her best friend out of a bad situation. Unless Alexis plans on terminating her pregnancy — no woman deserves to be in a relationship with a pregnant woman who has no plans to leave her husband.

I understand love is powerful and blind, but I wish AJ had more self-love. She is a police officer with great friends. She needs to get over the woman who wants to have her cake and secretly eat it, too. 

Speaking of secrets, it’s so dumb that the fact that Adam is Corrinne’s husband is hidden from Danny. The dialogue in the scene where they talk about “her” is pretty weak. 

Plus, guys are straightforward and able to get past things. Adam could’ve said, “Hi, I’m Josh’s dad and Corrinne’s husband” and they could still strike up a genuine friendship that we know will get complicated in the future. 

Greylock and The Republic of Sarah are becoming ever so slightly more nuanced as the country’s obstacles get bigger.

We’ll be watching the constitution come together soon. But as they fix their country’s issues, so many Greylock citizens really need to face facts in their personal lives. 

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The Republic of Sarah airs Mondays at 9/8c on The CW.

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