Following last week's stunning, yet abstract opener, this follow-up penned by Gillian Flynn herself started to connect some dots. It was a more focused episode, that started slowly, but effectively building characters and case details. It did this while still retaining the energy and style of the previous part.
Warning heavy spoilers involved in this review! Do not read unless you've seen the episode!!
The big plot this week was set around the funeral of the latest victim and the fallout from it. The funeral opens up another tense power dynamic within Camille's family. An interesting opening shot was of Amma (Eliza Scanlen), Camille's half-sister looking just as out of touch and awkward with her surroundings as Camille has been at times. The shot of Amma looking bored and unsure of herself leaning on the giant model house is striking one. The model had a similarity to the look of The White House. This could be symbolising the sort of isolation or extreme pressures experienced by children of the President. This becomes a recurring theme during Dirt. Adora once again has this anxiety to maintain a positive image around the town. There's an interesting back and fourth between her and Camille at the funeral. As her daughter attempts more than once to make notes (in her journalist role) during the service, Adora is determined to stop her daughter. Again we see two actresses at the top of their games during this scene, with their simple glaces back and fourth so telling. The scene has a duel intrigue. For Camille, of course there is the question of if she is crossing a line by making notes on a funeral for her story? At the same time, it is hard to read Adora at this stage. Is she generally concerned about the morality of what her daughter is doing? Or are her motives more ego driven? Once again the funeral has a very detached feel to it. Our view point is that of Camille's. The use of dead silence as we transition between this funeral and Camille's half sisters from the past is a powerful moment. Elizabeth Perkins makes another memorable cameo during this scene. The character's more eccentric, outspoken nature seems to chime more with Camille, whilst rubbing Adora up the wrong way. Those who saw Perkins in Weeds will know that giving her free reign to let rip can produce vivid results. There is a nice scene post funeral with Camille looking out for Amma when she sees her in the store with friends. If there is a motherly touch from Camille's end, I sensed Amma in return looked up to her half sister with respect almost like a friend. Its a subtle scene, but touching.
There's even an awkward tension between Adora and her husband. Later in the family home, the couple share a dance. Adora retreats from it almost straight away, Alan retreats back into his music. Listening on his headphones he is immersed in his own little world. There was something eerie too about the image of Alan at the piano during the funeral. Another running theme is that of gossip around the community. When looking for clues to the case at the wake, Camille befriends some gossiping women to get information out of them. In an earlier scene a town barber was having his say on the natural of the two murders so far. This scene with Camille and the women connects to the journalist's own murky state of mind. Just like the gossiping housewives can be seen as unreliable narratives, its possible that Camilla is too. There's a wonderful line from Camille to Jackie (Perkins) during this scene, "My demons are not nearly tackled, merely concussed." With Flynn scripting this one I can imagine that line was carried over from the novel. The other big case development, was Camille's lead about the identity of the killing possibly being female, with a local boy (whose mother will only allow Camille access to interview if she pays her $50, Camille refuses), claiming to have seen a "Woman in White". The twist here is that the term hasn't just come from this boy, but has been part of town folk law for years including when Camille was a young girl. This is a great hook moving forward. There are so many meaty questions, including the possible identity of the woman in question should the boy's story be true. Another thought provoking moment was when Camille raises the boy's story with the local chief of police. The officer is certain the killer is male, but is dismissive of the credibility of the boy as a source because his mother is a junkie who works in a factory and is seriously ill.
There are also some nice little character beats involving Chris Messina's detective Richard Willis. He is a smooth presence around the town and more open minded to alternative methods and ways of thinking than his older superiors. In one of the most bizarre moments so far, Richard brings home a pig's head (did I stutter?!) to test if he can easily pull its tooth out (having been told that this happened to the victim at the hands of the killer). Richard again is a slow burning character as is Camille's boss Frank (wonderfully played by character actor Miguel Sandoval). There's a couple nice scenes with Frank discussing the details of the story with Camille over the phone. As he gives his advice there is a gentle, nurturing feel to it. Frank is not only giving Camille sound professional advice, but is looking out for her as a person. Perhaps, he could be the only person who can keep her from going over the edge completely.
Questions
1. How did this episode compare to the first part?
2. Do you believe the killer is a female?
3. Is the "Woman in White" a figment of the boy's imagination? If not who do you think she might be?
4. What dark secrets do you think are part of the family's history? Including involving Adora and her husband?
Comment to this review and questions below if you like?
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