The Big Door Prize Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Father Reuben

Father Reuben’s crisis of faith in the face of the MORPHO Machine puts him in an existential mood, helped on by a wedding on another entertaining The Big Door Prize Season 1 Episode 4, “Father Reuben.”

Principal Pat and Mr. Malik are getting married, and most of the town is invited…except for the mayor. The wedding and its reception at Giorgio’s set the scene for exciting worldbuilding, character work, and dancing.

The episode’s use of a wedding, helped by the MORPHO Machine’s cards to dive deeper into the town’s residents and their personal hang-ups, adds dimension to the characters in a way that makes you increasingly invested in them.

But I think the aspect of the story that stands out is the big reveal about the first time Father Reuben encountered one of the life-changing blue cards.

Father Reuben’s Real Life’s Potential: Father

From the moment we see his reaction at the end of “Jacob,” it’s clear that something is bubbling beneath the surface for Reuben.

Though this episode isn’t wholly dedicated to him, “Father Reuben” gives him the space and stage to reveal more of his past life before arriving in Deerfield.

What we learn is heartbreaking and makes his reaction to the card even more painful, especially knowing that he initially finds a card saying “priest,” making his decision to join the seminary and become one.

It’s this knowledge that makes his opinions on the MORPHO make sense as well. If he initially thinks that becoming a church member will fulfill his destiny and life’s potential, what does it mean when he gets this new card saying something completely different?

I’ve got to say that I really appreciate the way the show presents these tough, abstract questions about our own decisions, free will, and the concept of destiny through these different reactions to the card and what they choose to do with it.

Damon Gupta’s subtlety and aloof way of talking about Reuben’s past and how the entire town seemingly wants something from him helps bring out a weariness in him and makes you feel for him.

Elsewhere in Deerfield…

Principal Pat and Mr. Malik’s wedding and reception at Giorgio’s turn out to be a perfect setting for all the hilarious, cringe-worthy, endearing Deerfield hijinks we see.

From getting more of Izzy’s self-centered, embarrassing personality that Cass warns everyone about to the culmination of Dusty’s attempt at being more open and a few questions about Giorgio, there is no shortage of wild moments to keep you running the gamut of emotions.

One of the surprising aspects is that by the time the episode ends, you can’t help but feel bad for Izzy and Giorgio. I still have questions about how these two winds up in this specific emotional place and how they contribute to getting there?

Is there more depth to these two?

After four episodes, I’m impressed with how dynamic storytelling and character-building The Big Door Prize writers can fit into a half-hour episode with the compassion a story like this needs.

The show continues to be a balm to cynicism and darkness viewers see in a way that doesn’t necessarily overly sanitize the realities of daily life. Instead, opting to put a bit of a more optimistic spin on them.

Random Thoughts

• Why can’t Trina and Jacob be caught together romantically? Will we be getting more on that whole history this season?
• How wild is Reuben’s reveal towards the end regarding the MORPHO card?
• This episode’s music cues are *Chef’s Kiss* and the choreography is magnificent. Just…no notes.
• The line of the episode has to be Cass’s, “Mother’s vagina is on display.”

What did you think of this episode of The Big Door Prize? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Big Door Prize streams Wednesdays on AppleTV+.

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