Memory of a Killer Season 1 Episode 1 and Episode 2 Review: Pilot / Ferryman

Memory of a Killer Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” and Episode 2, “Ferryman,” get the ball rolling on what could be the perfect FOX drama. Expectations are running high as fans expect Patrick Dempsey to keep them as captivated as he did when he was on Grey’s Anatomy.

The truth is that Dempsey has the talent and the experience to make viewers want to keep watching every project he is in. However, the first two episodes of the series do not feel as exciting as they should. While they do promise to deliver more, the show should have used this two-night premiere to set the bar high and show viewers what they are capable of.

Instead, the show relies on a safe introduction in which the main character gives us clues of exactly who he is while hinting at what’s to come next.

Signs of Angelo’s Diagnosis

The premise of the show promises fans the life of a hit man who is suddenly affected by the first signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s. Even if the tension or the drama of the show isn’t established as it could have been, Memory of a Killer Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” and Episode 2, “Ferryman,” lay the ground for Angelo’s diagnosis not to be a surprise.

On the contrary, after meeting his brother and learning about his own diagnosis, fans are now expecting to hear Angelo’s diagnosis too. However, this isn’t the only clue we are handfed.

Angelo forgets the code to his apartment’s alarm, puts a gun in the fridge for Nicky to find, wonders if he could have left the door open, doesn’t know where his car is parked, and leaves behind pieces of his secret life at his daughter’s house. These may seem like small details (minus the gun in the fridge, of course), but they are details that catch Angelo’s attention. Maybe because it feels like a movie he’s already seen before.

But because these symptoms begin when he is going through one of the most stressful moments of his life (or his lives, for that matter), they aren’t his main priority. Eventually, Angelo will have to get tested to find out what’s happening, or he will risk more people getting hurt because of him.

For a brief introduction, these signs are very clearly drawn for the viewer to quickly catch up. Unlike Angelo, our focus isn’t solely on whoever the Ferryman is. We are focusing on him and everything that happens to him. For that very reason, these clues are placed perfectly where they should be for us to really care about him and his diagnosis.

Even though one doesn’t know whether they should like Angelo, we already care about what’s coming to him.

Two Secret Lives

Memory of a Killer could have taken the easy route and made Angelo the kind of hitman who only lies to his family about his profession. However, we soon discover that Angelo keeps both of his lives as separate as possible.

The moment Dutch is introduced, we learn he has no idea about Angelo’s daughter, the grandbaby on the way, and the wife he lost not too long ago. On the contrary, he believes Angelo to be a lone wolf with nothing to lose. This is so far from the truth that Dutch couldn’t even understand why Angelo would want to take matters into his own hands when he feels threatened.

Angelo has worked his entire life to keep his two personas as compartmentalized as possible to the point that his own boss and friend have no idea there is another life. But now that someone has found him, Angelo risks losing everything and everyone he loves. This will inevitably become harder to avoid as the disease takes root.

There is a clear distinction between Angelo’s two lives in the way he dresses and carries himself. The hitman dresses in fancy and expensive suits, drives an expensive car, and is unafraid to flirt with random women. The family man dresses more casually, drives a regular car, and sells copiers. A difference he has clearly built to keep his identity protected.

But now that we have seen that distinction fall to pieces when someone finds him in his “regular” life and threatens the life of his daughter, it will be interesting to see what step Angelo takes next. Nonetheless, this step will definitely be compromised by his upcoming diagnosis.

Hopefully, the show can meet expectations and deliver the kind of drama and tension it has promised.

Beyond Angelo

While Memory of a Killer is undoubtedly about Angelo, Memory of a Killer Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” and Episode 2, “Ferryman,” have introduced other characters and other focal points that might interest the audience.

The first character we think of is Maria. As Angelo’s pregnant daughter, who is shot, she becomes important quite quickly. However, as the episodes go on, we begin to realize that Maria will begin to suspect her father and his behavior.

This can be connected to Maria’s husband, Jeff, own doubts about Angelo. When she begins to wonder where her father is or why he has been acting a certain way, Jeff expresses doubts that lead the viewer to believe he doesn’t trust his father-in-law.

The same doubts we see in his face when he finds Maria and Dave in her hospital room. The two seem to be a bit more cozy than simply the detective who led the case of her mother’s death. Could there have been something going on between these two characters? It’s definitely a relationship to keep our eyes on.

Last but not least, the appearance of the FBI. While it would have been perfect to introduce Gina Torres as Dempsey’s love interest, we are certain she is here to rock his boat.

Even though she seems to be here to catch whoever shot Maria, her investigation seems to be leading her elsewhere as she starts to second-guess everything Angelo is saying.

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Memory of a Killer airs Mondays at 9/8c on FOX.

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