Thursday, December 12, 2019

What I’m Watching: Ray Donovan


Ray Donovan: Season 7, Episode 4 “Hispes” (B-)

I’m not impressed with this episode’s title and with a good deal of its content. Ray has always been great at his job because he doesn’t show emotion, and now that he’s valuing being polite to those he’s supposed to intimidate rather than just using brute force, he’s actually considerably less effective at doing what he’s supposed to do. We’re seeing that same transformation in Bridget, who still seeks the affirmation of the father who has tangentially caused her a lot of harm over the years, and who now is treating the people in her life as commodities rather than friends and family. She certainly doesn’t think much of the less-than-brilliant Smitty, who was involved in this idiotic “hispes” public relations play which felt far too silly for this show’s universe. I’m not feeling all too compelled by what Terry is going through at the moment either, and it would be better if most of the show’s characters were in the same place. Bunchy is indeed far too susceptible to be used as a pawn by a white supremacist group, and his quest for belonging and self-worth may take him way over the edge. Mickey is being incredibly reckless as usual in his selfishness, and he’s going to bring down as many people as possible on his way down instead of just laying low as he should be. Ray getting close to Molly is no surprise, though it’s possible that, even if it’s bad for business, this relationship might actually be good for him.

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