Poker Face Season 1 Episode 9 Review: Escape from Shit Mountain
Poker Face raises the stakes for its penultimate episode, Poker Face Season 1 Episode 9, “Escape From Shit Mountain.”
Charlie has found herself in some pretty dangerous situations this season. None as dire as the situation she finds herself in on “Escape From Shit Mountain,” though.
Not even her initial escape from Nevada on Poker Face Season 1 Episode 1, “Dead Man’s Hand,” brought Charlie as close to death as “Escape From Shit Mountain.” Although, given the way the episode ends, “Escape From Shit Mountain” might only have the title of the most dangerous episode for a week.
On the episode, Charlie finds herself the victim of a hit-and-run and trapped in a run-down motel with the person who hit her. A person who is also a murderer. So you know, just a slightly more unusual Thursday than normal for our girl.
Charlie, being the hit-and-run victim, is the episode’s biggest twist. In retrospect, it’s a twist that I should have seen coming. The way the episode makes sure not to show the hit-and-run victim’s face and pushes viewers to think that the victim is Morty are clues. Or at least they should be.
Even knowing how much the series loves to play with viewers’ expectations, I did not see it coming until seconds before she is hit.
That twist is way more effective than it should be. But then, the entire episode is much better than it has any right to be.
“Escape From Shit Mountain” has the least interesting, most generic of the season’s cases of the week.
On “Escape From Shit Mountain,” there is no trope subversion or misdirection (outside of the twist with Charlie being hit by the car). Everyone is who you expect them to be and does more or less what you expect them to do.
This should result in a boring episode, but it doesn’t. “Escape From Shit Mountain” is one of the season’s most satisfying episodes.
It all comes down to excellent craft and execution that boosts the material to create an engrossing and thoroughly entertaining viewing experience.
One of the major things “Escape from Shit Mountain” has going for it is that Rian Johnson is back in the director’s seat. Johnson’s touch is noticeable right away, too.
As with Poker Face Season 1 Episode 8, “The Orpheus Syndrome,” — directed by Lyonne — “Escape from Shit Mountain” has a more cinematic feel than the previous episodes.
Johnson’s strong visual storytelling immediately pulls viewers in with the opening montage that introduces Trey. Before he even says a word, we know enough about this character to be invested in him. Even if that investment is in hating him.
From there, Johnson keeps the story moving quickly and uses visuals to build tension and suspense. A perfect example of this is the claustrophobic atmosphere inside the cabin. It amplifies the anxiety and dread as the danger to Charlie grows.
There might be countless variations of this plot, but when it’s done as well as “Escape From Shit Mountain,” it doesn’t matter. It is just as exciting as the most unconventional story.
That is something that Poker Face has understood from its first episode. Not all tropes are inherently dull or cliched. They are stories and characters we go back to for a reason. In the right hands, even the most familiar trope can be fresh and creative.
It’s also important to note that saying the plot is generic is not the same thing as saying the writing is. The dialogue and exploration of the characters — even for the standard archetype of Trey — are as sharp as ever.
And, of course, talents like Stephine Hsu, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Castañeda, and Natasha Lyonne delivering that dialogue doesn’t hurt either.
This brings us to this review’s obligatory section, where I rave about the cast. There is not one weak link in this week’s cast. Everyone brings their A-game.
Trey is a truly unbearable character by design, but you can’t hate a character you don’t care about. Gordon-Levitt does an excellent job of making him that character you love to hate. It’s so satisfying when Trey gets his comeuppance in no small part because of what Gordon-Levitt does with the character.
For her part, Hsu is completely charming as Morty. Hsu has plenty of opportunities to shine on the episode, but it doesn’t feel like enough. I don’t think any amount of screen time would. She is just that delightful.
By now, I’ve gotten used to my favorite characters dying on Poker Face. Plus, Morty has to die for the end of the episode to work.
Still, Hsu and Lyonne have such a fun rapport together. It would have been great to see them run into each other again.
This is also one of Lyonne’s best performances. That’s saying something, too, given how good she has been all season. Whether it’s her pitch-perfect comic timing, understated dramatic chops, or her chemistry with co-stars, “Escape From Shit Mountain” shows off the full range of Lyonne’s talent.
Last but no means least, David Castañeda gives the episode its heart. It’s his performance that adds depth to Trey and Jimmy’s relationship. As good as Gordon-Levitt is at playing the bad guy, without Jimmy to ground their relationship, it would be hard to care about it.
As a result, Castañeda not only gives an excellent performance himself, he further elevates Gordon-Levitt’s (and even Lyonne’s).
“Escape From Shit Mountain” might not be one of Poker Face’s most original episodes, but it is still one of its best and sets viewers up perfectly for what will no doubt be an intense finale.
Stray Thoughts
- I have a pretty generous suspension of disbelief, but Charlie surviving the hit and run and being stabbed without immediate medical attention tested my limits.
- The whole bit with Charlie’s spring fling is amusing but doesn’t serve much purpose. It feels a bit out of place.
- I appreciate that Charlie finally acknowledges that death seems to follow her.
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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.