The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey Review: Coydog (Season 1 Episode 4)
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey Season 1 Episode 4, “Coydog,” is another stellar character-driven episode, but the larger picture is beginning to come into focus.
As expected, things pick up a bit on “Coydog” regarding Coydog’s treasure and potentially Reggie’s murder.
Within the first minutes of the episode, we learn that Coydog’s treasure is 14 doubloons worth thousands of dollars each. We also learn that Ptolemy sold most of them to take care of Sensia when she was sick.
As for Reggie’s murder, things are currently pointing to his wife’s violent ex, who just got out of prison.
It all feels a little too easy. Another shoe is going to drop, maybe even multiple shoes. It might be a big plot twist or it could be an emotional bombshell, but something is coming.
If nothing else, there are still too many supporting characters that seem just a little too perfect or convenient not to be more than they seem. If I were to hazard a guess, my money would be on Billy and Doctor Rubin as the ones hiding something. I don’t trust Billy, but I trust Doctor Rubin even less.
You don’t hire Walton Goggins and then give him nothing to do, right?
There seems to be more to Shirley Wring too but for now, I’m leaning towards her secret not being nefarious, if she is in fact hiding something. The one character I do think is exactly what he seems is Roger.
Or, maybe I just really really hope he is. I don’t want to see him break Robyn’s heart, especially if she loses Ptolemy.
Knowing that something else is coming and that Ptolemy’s treatment is temporary, infuses everything with a subtle sense of foreboding, even the significant number of happy or funny scenes.
That apprehension is always in the back of your mind coloring whatever is happening at the moment.
That said, one of the best parts of the series is that despite the tragedy and trauma that Ptolemy and Robyn have endured, the show isn’t bleak or unrelentingly tragic. There is a wonderful warmth and humor at the heart of Ptolemy and Robyn’s relationship.
The added levity makes their relationship that much more precious and watching the show equal parts delightful and moving.
Along similar lines, something I appreciate about the characterization of Robyn is that they allow her to be a teenage girl despite everything she’s gone through and the responsibility she shoulders.
It’s so easy with characters like Robyn to define them by their tragedy and the ways they have had to grow up too fast. That is certainly part of Robyn’s character and an important part. Still, the series also takes time to remind viewers that she is still a young girl.
A lot of that, of course, comes from the writing, but just as much if not more comes from Dominique Fishback’s wonderful portrayal of the character.
During the scene, for example, where Robyn sees that Ptolemy got her a bed to sleep on, there is a purity to her joy that evokes something like a kid at Christmas.
There is nothing specific to point to about that scene that would be unique to a teenager. Adults feel joy too after all. There is just something about how Fishback plays it that emphasizes the character’s youth. It’s a refreshing take on a familiar character archetype.
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey continues to exemplify the very best of character-driven storytelling. Every episode I find myself caring more about these characters and even more invested in what happens to them.
With only two episodes left I fear this little bubble that Ptolemy and Robyn have created for themselves is going to burst soon.
Things are going to come to a head. As much as I dread the fallout, am rooting for these two kindred souls to find what they are looking for by the end.
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Sarah Fields
Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.