Gary McCurry reviews the fifth episode of Bloodline…
Five episodes into Bloodline and as soon as you meet a new character you know that their importance won’t be revealed to you straight away, that’s not how they work. Tedious at times, sure. I’ve become accustomed to discovering the backstory to a character through flashbacks, long monologues and memories unfolding in front of their eyes.
You won’t have to dig deep to find spoilers.
Introducing Detective Lenny Potts (Frank Hoyt Taylor). Immediately we get a sense that even though he’s an old Navy friend of Robert, no warm welcome will be received. In town to attend the funeral of the former head of the Rayburn clan, Robert (Sam Shepard). The death of Robert allows the storyline of his last will and testament (the one that excludes son, Danny) and the quiet showdown with Danny to take centre stage.
During a lunch Ben Mendelsohn’s character is having with the frustratingly two-dimensional, Chelsea, (Chloë Sevingy) Danny is overcome with panic as he catches a glimpse of Potts sitting in a booth across from them. Complaining about his food, they have to leave. As is common with the family, something here runs deeper.
The episode, similar to last week is leisurely flowing. I’ll say at this point that 1. I’m grateful that shows are given the space to grow nowadays rather than the threat of being cancelled hanging over each instalment like a guillotine. However, It feels like 2. they’re stretching the parameters of their freedom and has me thinking “this is all going somewhere, be patient” which seems to be one of the things getting me through.
The other is that moments in Part 5 are beautifully done even though they do come few and far between. Emotionally as well as technically these scenes are spot on. Sally Rayburn (Sissy Spacek) reaction to her husband’s death hits hard in the most subtle of ways. Sadly, Sally is the only female character that is fully formed as the remaining woman in Bloodline seem to have little to no room to showcase their talents.
Granted, Meg has the will that her late father has asked her to compile but the wives of the Rayburn boys serve no other purpose than to be wives. Kevin and his wife, Belle (Katie Finneran) have separated, being a Rayburn both have a reputation to uphold so they’re continuing the cover of being married. The cracks begin to appear in this offering, including a bust up at his father’s memorial service. I’d love to see the wives and sisters get a little more, something to give their roles depth, which up until this part has been lacking.
The closing moments ups the ante when Detective Potts past relationship with the Sarah Rayburn case is revealed. Robert’s anger and abusive nature towards his children, specifically Danny, which has been alluded to in previous episodes appears again. Lenny Potts explains that he tried to uncover the truth about how he was hurt all those years ago but the family intervened and covered up the accusations. We end with two scenes occurring simultaneously as John, having spoken to Potts regarding Sarah, looks up her police file to notice missing interview tapes. On the resort those tapes have since been past to Danny in order for him to hear an interview with a 14-year-old John describe how his brother got injured, the truth and his words don’t match.
Gary McCurry – Follow me on Twitter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pnc360pUDRI&list=PL18yMRIfoszFLSgML6ddazw180SXMvMz5
Originally published April 22, 2015. Updated April 13, 2018.
