What I’m Watching: Boss

Boss: Season 1, Episode 6 “Spit” (B+)

This episode is monumental for many reasons, and none of them are good. The extent of the forces rallying against Tom is increasing rapidly as he continues to upset more and more people, and each time he rectifies one situation, he creates at least one more. Getting Dr. Reyes to retract her statement with the help of his former cop friend was impressive, and it did throw the aldermen for a loop and remove the possibility of impeachment. Dr. Reyes spitting in his face couldn’t have felt good, and it’s reassuring to hear that Tom is at least aware of the fact that he is, on occasion, evil. Alderman Mata’s change of heart was never going to have much of an effect, but Ross’ essential rigging of his death was considerably more fatal than I might have expected, and decently terrifying. Ezra being aware of the plotting against Tom is only helpful if the people he tries to talk to in order to sort it out are alive. Ezra is an effective mouthpiece for Tom, telling everyone that Tom will remember who helped him and who didn’t to pressure them not to conspire against Tom. The sudden danger faced by Emma while she was with Darius is representative of the precarious situation she finds herself in with that relationship, something that’s definitely not healthy for her. Tom’s evisceration of Kitty following her simple question about settling the lawsuit was harsh, and it seems that the facts of the case are getting to her. Tom’s most grievous mistake was smacking Meredith following her efforts to help, and it’s sent her directly to Ben, to help him win. Tom is going to go ballistic when he finds out, and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.