Big Sky Review: Heart-shaped Charm (Season 2 Episode 6)
Why the title of this episode isn’t “Drawing Blood from a Stone” I’ll never understand. Undercover cop Travis Stone is literally tortured for information by the cartel.
Big Sky Season 2 Episode 6, “Heart-shaped Charm,” is full of this kind of ridiculousness which is filling and hearty but might not sustain through the next three weeks during which the show is off…again. This is the second break of only six episodes and it’s messing a bit with the flow.
The Cheese factor is off the charts on this episode with Jenny’s neurotic girlfriend behavior and people adding “2.0” to their name, but I think Ren puts it more eloquently:
These Cheezy Bites expired five years ago.
The way the show pokes fun at itself whether it’s on purpose or not is one of its greatest assets. It can be meta or outlandish or melodramatic but there are moments that are shocking and terrifying, emotional or heartfelt.
But most importantly, every scene, no matter the tone, is entertaining.
Not too far apart are these two lines of dialogue: “Existing and being seen are two different things.” And, “Okay, you’ve got my dandelions waving.” The former, a poignant piece of advice from a father to his daughter, and the latter from a drug dealer to The Actual Worst™ T-Lock, Max’s mom’s loser boyfriend.
Mark the Marshal (Omar Metwally) doesn’t seem too great at his job. He immediately draws suspicion when he goes to meet Wolf (John Carroll Lynch) under the pretense of looking for dog training advice.
With Jerrie (Jesse James Keitel) gone, I am back to disliking Mark and I find it annoying that the Cassie/Mark angle will now be pursued. Unless he doesn’t come out of Wolf’s dog retreat alive.
Hey, a girl can dream.
On the flip side, Ren (Janina Gavankar) continues to be a delight. She’s quoting Mean Girls, calling men out for being terrible, and torturing Travis (Logan Marshall-Green), who I find quite annoying as well.
Also, a request has been fulfilled. On Season 2 Episode 5, “Mother Nurture,” I asked for Ren’s brother Jag to join in on the fun.
Jag: Pack your bags, Dhruv. We’re going to Montana.
Stray Observations:
- Some of the acting and situations are giving me flashes of Beverly Hills, 90210 and The O.C. Big Sky really has that primetime soap opera feel with the added bonus of suspenseful crime drama intrigue.
- Yes, send a care package to Jerrie.
- “I’d like to grab lunch and …be used.”
- I love that the box of cereal is a clue that Ronald is at Wolf’s compound. In fact, I love that cereal is such an integral motif in this narrative. It’s more than just an important part of a balanced breakfast.
- Add Smiley to the body count of characters I am happy to see off-ed.
What did you think of this episode of Big Sky? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Big Sky airs Thursdays 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.