Big Sky Review: Family Matters (Season 2 Episode 17)
I am living for the drama on Big Sky Season 2 Episode 17, “Family Matters!”
Everywhere you turn there’s tension and danger. And Big Sky proves it doesn’t necessarily need a lot of action-packed fodder to produce these high levels of drama and anticipation.
There’s also some depth here, too. The theme of letting go underscores many plot points.
Kylie Bunbury hits it out of the park (pun intended for you Pitch fans) with Cassie’s monologue at the grief support group. It’s a beautiful mix of strength and vulnerability filled with emotional honesty.
We were waiting for Cassie’s showdown with Ronald and now we await something similar with Scarlet. Big Sky moves fast which helps to build suspense and make for some pretty excellent television.
The Jenny and Travis storyline is not overblown like it sometimes is—well, aside from Travis’ overly-animated, tough-guy facial expressions. Honestly, though, at this point, it’s an amusing element that has the ability to enhance the scene.
As it does when he pleads with her to let him go. Katheryn Winnick also turns in an impressive performance for this scene.
More letting go, or struggling to let go, rather, is a big part of the Bhullar family drama to which the episode’s title refers. Veer goes as far as letting his only son get shot before he’s ready to admit that he needs to step down as head of the family drug cartel.
Talk about drama!
This is some Shakespearian shit and I am so here for it.
Poor Jag’s devastation is palpable. Veer plays it stoic until his conversation with Ren, so I’m still skeptical. He admits that it’s time to pass the torch and that Ren has proven to be worthy as the successor.
Ren definitely deserves it, as well as an honest, heartfelt talk with her father. But, I’m not so sure it’s all genuine—it is too abrupt of a 180 to be convincing—and Ren ought to be exercising caution, which she seems to be doing.
These events make her determination even more fierce and bring her closer together with her brother. I’m curious to how it will all play out. I really love it when Big Sky keeps me in suspense.
“Family Matters” is the penultimate episode of a strong season that is not without its weaknesses, though. Sporadic scheduling also hurt its momentum at times. This episode, however, is effectively building the tension, giving the season a fighting chance to end with a bang.
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.