Hey friends! Has it been a week already since the first ep? Feels like both a month and just yesterday. I’m still out of sorts from all the hurricane bullshit that went down here last week. Damn, don’t take long with the power off before things start to go sideways. But that’s over with now, and I have a nice, sweet, cute…OK, OK…a nasty, foul-tempered, treacherous little drug dealer to watch to bring me back into better days. Still cute though! Hang on, how does Chris describe Franny? “My height, fucking scrawny, floppy hair…” lol!! CHRIS CARSON. My goodness!
I also need to address this. Right at the beginning where we see Chris sitting on the bed looking like a thundercloud is hanging over his head (probably is) I’m reminded of John Watson in his bedsit at the start of Sherlock’s first episode. These days when I re-watch that episode, I think “John, life is about to get soooo much better!” Chris…well, I’m not getting that same impression for him, unfortunately.
On to The Responder Ep 2!
I can’t help but notice in ep 2 that there’s a parallel theme of fatherhood with Franny and Chris. Both wanting to do whatever it takes to protect and care for their children and loved ones. They both have unconventional family situations they’re navigating. I think Franny even more so with his choice of ‘profession’ and partner on the opposite side of the law in Debs.
While we don’t get to see Franny interact with his own father, we do get to see more of Chris’s relationship with his. I would love to see how it was between Franny and his own dad. Maybe he had a good dad. Maybe not. Maybe he’s being a caring father because he didn’t have that in his own life. Learning what not to do through example. Franny IS a likeable guy, though. Even when he’s tacking another five grand on to the ten he claims Chris owes him and threatening Chris and Rachel with the video footage of them picking up his gun, there’s this odd bit of humor running though his banter…until there’s not. He’ll make you forget he’s scary for a minute, but Adam Nagaitis, amazing actor that he is, swings that spooky energy right back up at a moment’s notice. It’s off and on like flipping a switch.
Also! It wasn’t lost on us Terror fans that Chris refers to Franny as a ‘little rat’ at one point. Yep, that’s still our ratboy and we love him!
Franny and Debs though, they’ve got such a tender vibe between them. Franny is one bad mo’fo. He can easily be impatient, mean, absolutely no nonsense, but with her? He’s that nice, sweet, cute fella I mentioned above. It’s hard to imagine both of those personalities are in one little dude. When he knocks on the window of Debs car and tells his son “Love you” my heart just melts. His son isn’t really paying attention, like kids do. Poor Franny! He just wants to show love and isn’t getting a response! See what he does? Makes you forget you’re sighing over a drug dealer. Dammit Nagaitis!
Continuing the theme of fatherhood, look at Marco, trying to essentially learn how to keep another human being alive! He’s just wanting to be a good dad, even though this poor man has no clue where to start. He’s looking to Casey for help figuring that shit out, but she’s busy trying to start her big drug dealing career with Jodie. Lord knows THAT’S not going to end well. I see Jodie and Casey in the same frame and just…cringe. Speaking of Jodie, my girl needs to work on her customer service skills. I think her sweet shop is a little short on the sweet.
This week’s takeaway? I feel like I’m in a car with a crazy driver trying to put on the imaginary brakes on the passenger side. I know this is going to end badly. Rachel, NO! Stop looking at that loser, stop looking at the damn iron! Casey! Jodie is going to find out! Chris! Kate just found out! Chris!! Your dad’s going to find out too!
Ah well. Tilly’s gonna look like a princess in her first communion dress, that’s all that matters. Here’s to all these dads doing what they gotta do and keeping their loved ones safe.
On to ep 3 next week, friends!