Take Three: Rectify

Rectify: Season 1, Episode 4 “Plato’s Cave” (B+)

I’m getting more and more into this show with every episode, and it’s a good thing that it’s already been renewed for a second season since it would be hard to get attached knowing that only two more hours remain. Daniel is developing into an extremely compelling and endearing character, and the show is taking shape with a more permanent and sustainable storyline. That means much more of a focus on Daniel and his daily activities, while characters like Amanda and Janet step out of the spotlight. Daniel getting glasses become a momentous and transformative occasion thanks to his grand reaction, and it was great to see him comfort his clearly distressed mother when they were accosted by reporters outside of the store, suggesting that they just sit in the car for a few minutes. Daniel’s trip to see Tawney brought out an unexpected intellectual side of him, one which contrasted well with her more ethereal and less literary outlook on the world. The priest’s response to Daniel’s presence was extremely telling, and Daniel handled the awkwardness of his overenthusiasm for Tawney’s sign of physical affection well. As Ted becomes more embroiled in this business scheme, it seems that he and Tawney are drifting apart, and he’s going to be furious once he finds out who she’s been spending her time with. The episode’s final scene with the shocking salon encounter was powerful, and it’s hard to fault Daniel for anything he does when he’s so damn polite all the time.