Tom Swift Season 1 Episode 5 Review: …And the Crashed Cotillion

It’s always fun how Tom can start every episode thinking his plan will be THE plan when all is said and done.

That’s what makes Tom Swift Season 1 Episode 5, “…And the Crashed Cotillion” so much fun. Tom gets a huge helping of some humble pie as his plan derails the moment it comes out of his mouth.

Here we are five episodes in on this freshman season and already we can start to see the cracks within Team Tom Swift. It’s actually a great thing that Tom is waylaid this episode because it wakes him up to the struggles of his team instead of just himself.

Do I think this means he’s going to change right away? No.

Tom Swift’s Wake Up Call

Honestly — and I say this with my teeth clenched — Claire actually does Tom a favor on Tom Swift Season 1 Episode 5, “…And the Crashed Cotillion,” by assigning him to be the assistant to her assistant. Sure, Lorraine fires him from his birthright position, but Claire has always been the one pulling the strings.

Admitting Claire is actually a help to Tom’s mission and overall life is such a hard thing to do. When it comes down to it she is nothing more than an opportunistic bottom feeder. 

It’s the sign of great writing that she is complex enough that audiences already have a visceral reaction to her. But, in rooting for her to fail we are driven further to support Tom in his success.

Tom isn’t someone who knows what it is like to struggle or even experience true misfortune. This is why shadowing Quinn and having Zenzi blow up at him is so vital to his growth as a character.

Zenzi: Many scholarship kids could change the world if given the chance. You’re not remarkable Tom. You’re just rich.

By seeing firsthand how people who don’t have money, but have the vision don’t get seen, Tom realizes his voice can be used for more. While it’s not the end all be all, his request at the end for Quinn to be promoted shows that he is learning and growing. 

Quinn also shows Tom that his actions have bigger picture consequences even if he can’t see them happening. Knowing this will aide Tom as he moves evermore toward taking over Swift Enterprises and honoring his father.

As important as his time with Quinn is, Tom needs his argument with Zenzi even more. 

This argument gives him the clarity he desperately needs to see that his money and privilege have made him lose sight of his true talents. Tom has the smarts to change the world, but he’s allowed money and fame to cloud what truly matters — community, family, and friendship.

Lino and Isaac — Swift In Every Aspect

First and foremost I must say there is beauty in the bond that is forming between Isaac and Lino. Isaac is an established person of trans experience and Lino has a part of himself that he must keep hidden.

There is harmony and synchronicity in their collaboration that isn’t evident at first. Beneath the surface it is clear that Isaac connects with Lino because on some level he understands feeling foreign in your own skin and not being able to truly express your feelings. 

Tom Swift has established that Isaac is there to guide Lino toward finding his birth mother as well as go with him for moral support. Isaac doesn’t even think twice about cluing in Lorraine because he knows it’s better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

While it does blow up in both of their faces, the results of their actions will follow them forever. Lino now has the means to further investigate what his mother means by saying he is the light.

Lorraine may have fired Isaac in her initial freak out over Violet’s actions at cotillion, I have no doubt she will reverse that decision soon enough. Isaac truly is invaluable to all the members of the Swift family.

This isn’t the end of his story or his bond with Lino. 

Lino is going to have so many questions moving forward about who he is and what his visions mean. Isaac is the only one who knows everything and so Lino will be leaning heavily on Isaac as this story progresses. 

And with Tom now missing things are about to get turned upside down and Isaac’s cool demeanor is the balm everyone is going to need.

Stray Thoughts:

• We all love a good tech face swap. Zenzi/Tom doesn’t disappoint, but Isaac/Tom is the true KING
• I love, love, love that Zenzi is taking her privilege and using it to uplift others
• If only that scene between Lorraine and Isaac/Tom could’ve happened between Lorraine and Tom himself.

 

What did you think of this episode of Tom Swift? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Tom Swift airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

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