Big Sky Review: Mother Nurture (Season 2 Episode 5)

Familial relationships dominate the story on Big Sky Season 2 Episode 5, “Mother Nurture,” in a really good way.

Yes, please, let’s explore Ronald’s mommy issues and Scarlet’s daddy issues. I don’t even care if it’s a red herring, it is fascinating and I’m here for it.

Their captors, Wolf and Agatha, seem to be vulnerable to manipulation, too, despite their alpha position. I am not sure what the motivations are behind any of them, and it is making it so fun to watch things unfold. 

This plot line is one among many that are stuffed into this episode, but they are done so well that while you are in each scene it doesn’t feel peripheral at all. Each bite into these stories is substantial and hearty, and sustains long after.

The ever-shifting dynamic between Jenny and Travis takes some interesting turns. They have very different ideas of their “arrangement” and are both terrible at expressing real feelings. Travis calling Jenny out for using him is unexpected.

Pretty boy Travis spills some piping hot tea and Jenny’s reaction is priceless. These two together can be quite irritating, but this is a delightful stage of their complicated yet stupid relationship. 

Big Sky has a way of making me care about things I initially write off, enticing me with campy ridiculousness or pulling me in with genuinely moving scenes like the ones in Jerrie’s arc. 

What a beautiful performance by Jesse James Keitel here, as well as throughout the series from the start. It’s a proper send-off (for now) that is bittersweet—I’m not ready to say goodbye to Jerrie, not even close. 

Her journey has been an incredible one and something that we don’t see all that often (or ever, really) for trans characters on primetime crime dramas. How very bold of Big Sky to wrap up such an important story arc with an unrelated bookend; and, wow, does it pay off.

Jerrie’s past has been alluded to but we haven’t been privy to many specifics. We have seen the character struggle and grow, have setbacks and wins. Because of Keitel’s thoughtful crafting of Jerrie and the sensitivity in the writing of her along with Keitel’s consulting, the audience knows her beyond the surface and preconceived notions. 

Thusly, we are able to really engage with the plot twist of her father showing up with the news that her mother is dying. It’s not really related to any other plot point or the mystery of a detective procedural, but it is connected through Jerrie—everything she has endured and how she’s dealt with trauma—and that deeply human element makes it fit in seamlessly with everything else. 

Even when “everything else” is chaos with either thematic thrills (the creeper/dirty cop tussle that results in Harvey’s shocking death) or random silliness (Donno telling Tonya that she stabbed him in his “favorite leg”). Big Sky is able to hit many different beats and make them work.

Stray Observations:

• “I love when a woman advocates for herself.” Ah, Ren and her feminism. 
• “I’m your child. Please stop asking me to be the bigger person.” This is a powerful moment, made more so by Keitel’s delivery.
• It’s Madison’s lack of energy for me. Go girl, give us nothing. 
• Mark gives Jerrie a mix CD and has officially won me over. Their goodbye is very sweet.
• “Fear can do two things: it can shut a person down or crack a person open.”
• Definitely interested in Jag, Ren’s brother. Book him a flight to Montana. Let’s get him in the mix. 

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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Jesse James Keitel Talks ‘Big Sky’ and the Groundbreaking Role of Jerrie Kennedy [Interview]