A Friend of the Family Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Son of Perdition

A Friend of the Family Season 1 Episode 6, “Son of Perdition,” is a disturbing hour of television that chronicles the second kidnapping of Jan Broberg by Bob “B.” Berchtold.

The few complaints I had on the episode prior, A Friend of the Family Season 1 Episode 5, “The Bitter Cup,” are addressed and compensated for here. This part of the story is told exceptionally well—all aspects of the episode’s production coming together.

It is truly heartbreaking to watch B. (Jake Lacy) sink his hooks even further into Jan (Mckenna Grace).

However, there is also some satisfaction as the Brobergs begin to finally fight for their daughter. 

Let me start with the ends; and by that, I mean Anna Paquin’s stunning scenes that cap off both “The Bitter Cup” and this episode. The Academy Award winner is skilled at quietly conveying big emotion (Please see my review of the Scorsese film, The Irishman.) but it is a different kind of treat to witness her character act out on those emotions.

Mary Ann (Paquin) is compassionate and patient with Jan on this episode and it makes her very valid outburst of rage towards B. over the long-distance phone line hit that much harder.

Mary Ann: I am at the end. Now, you listen to me, you son of a bitch. I know what you are. It took me too long, but I know you are a monster. A heartless, vile excuse of a man. And I will get my daughter away from you if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.

Oh my gosh, I have chills just typing it. Remember, this is a timid woman who earlier in this episode said “Oh fiddle” when talking to an obstinate Jan, also over the phone.

Lacy’s performance as B. induces chills as well but on the opposite end of the spectrum. His is such a chilling portrayal of a character based on a real-life predator, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to look at Lacy the same way again.

Just seeing him in the fun center environment is unsettling. And it’s in this environment that B. tightens his grip on Jan, his horrifying seduction of her shown in close-ups that almost make me physically nauseous.

Something inside Jan knows this is all wrong but her impressionable age combined with his persuasive powers makes it difficult for her to see his abuse for what it is. Focusing on the water dripping from the faucet is a trauma response that her young mind is not aware of having.

Later, an actress friend of B.’s will give her an acting tool to help her detach from herself. B.’s periodic use of these “helpers” is absolutely depraved.

B.’s grooming and steady manipulation of Jan intensifies during this second kidnapping. The poor girl thinks her sister’s lives are in danger, and he’s done enough love-bombing that she believes the romantic nature of their relationship to be true and appropriate. 

But B. is a sociopath, through and through.

His reaction to hearing that his fun center partner, “Funny Bunny,” had committed suicide is pure psychopathic behavior.

Robert: So look, Bunny’s wife called while you were out. He took his own life. Shot himself. His wife was right there when he did it. 
B.: Well, let’s just get that popcorn machine up and running today, huh.

Later on, FBI Agent Welsh (Austin Stowell) confirms this classification. It is, however, important to keep in mind that back then the average American knew little to nothing about the psychology of it. True crime was not yet the phenomena it is today.

Agent Welsh: He has all the hallmarks of a psychopathic personality. He doesn’t experience guilt or remorse or fear like we do. There is no telling what he is capable of.

B.’s blatant flaunting of his crimes right out in the open is difficult for this reviewer to stomach, and it’s made even worse by showing B.’s flesh and blood 14-year-old son, Jasper (Wyatt Parker), having to watch it all.

B.’s cruelty in regards to his own child is shockingly transparent when he makes Jasper take a “family” photo of himself, Jan, his mother and brother, as if he’s some fellow tourist passing by. My heart just breaks for this kid.

The only reason this episode doesn’t get the full five stars is because the soundtrack is a bit heavy-handed and on-the-nose, but it’s hardly a complaint because it is a bunch of groovy 70s jams. 

What did you think of this episode of A Friend of the Family? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

New episodes of A Friend of the Family stream Thursdays on Peacock.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Straight Man Season 1 First Look (Photos)