Tensions run high in episode four of season four of Barry following Barry’s (Bill Hader) escape from prison. Each character reacts to the news differently and faces disappointment in other areas of their lives. Despite the show being a dark comedy that usually is able to keep the laughs going during serious topics, this episode was mainly on the tragic side. The use of sound in this episode really pushed the depressing effect. This comes as a bit of a shock, considering the episode begins on a positive note.
The episode begins with a guest appearance by Siân Heder playing herself. Heder and Sally (Sarah Goldberg) share a sweet moment as Sally fangirls over Heder. Sally is a big fan of CODA, a film written and directed by Heder, so meeting her in person feels unreal to Sally. Sally gets the opportunity to meet her because her new acting student named Kristen (Ellyn Jameson) is a lead character in a film being directed by Heder. A sweet moment is quickly turned sour when Sally tries to help Kristen after Kristen breaks down while shooting the film. Kristen struggles with remembering her lines and runs off the set. Sally tries to help Kristen by acting out the scene Kristen is struggling with for her as an example; however, it starts as an example and ends as Sally trying to audition for the role Kristen has already been hired to do. This moment is extremely embarrassing when Siân turns Sally down by telling her that her performance was amazingly perfect and that all she had to do was teach Kristen to do the exact same thing.
Sally is not the only one who deals with disappointment in this episode, Hank’s (Anthony Carrigan) and Cristobal’s (Michael Irby) relationship changes after Cristobal sees a new side of Hank. Hank makes a decision to hurt people Cristobal is friends with in order to become a more serious crime lord. This decision doesn’t sit well with Cristobal, and he ends the relationship. This scene is part of the tragedy that occurs in this episode. Cristobal is so hurt by Hank, while Hank is confused at Cristobal’s reaction and regretful that he hurt Cristobal. After Cristobal breaks up with Hank, he begs him not to leave; however, Cristobal’s mind is made up, and Hank’s reaction to this is the biggest plot twist of the episode.
Just like Hank, Gene (Henry Winkler) makes a life-changing mistake, except Gene’s mistake is motivated by fear. After getting the news that Barry has broken out of jail, he is convinced that Barry will come after him for revenge. He refers to himself as “a sitting duck” and looks for a weapon to protect himself. Even though he is all alone in the mountains, secluded from everything, he is still convinced Barry will find him. So he sits in the same chair all day and waits with his gun in his hand. Then he hears footsteps at his door before even opening it, and he shoots through the door to the person on his doorstep, assuming it is Barry. The problem is that he was wrong about who was at his doorstep, and he shot the wrong person.
Rating: 8/10