Round Two: I Know This Much Is True

I Know This Much Is True: Season 1, Episode 2 (B-)

I’m going to continue watching this show because I expect it to be a big Emmy player, if just for star Mark Ruffalo’s strong dual performance. But it’s so miserable that it’s hard to get through, and I’m not seeing the overarching purpose. That opening scene featuring the younger boys was a disturbing start, demonstrating how cruel children can be and even how bad adults can respond to unfortunate situations. The teacher did not do a good job of advocating for Thomas when he was locked in the bathroom, and forcing Dominick to stay with him when he didn’t want to get on the boat didn’t seem like the best choice either. Developments in their adult lives weren’t great either, with the devastating revelation that Dominick and Dessa lost a child to SIDS. Dominick mentioned how angry he was at his brother for blaming that death on a conspiracy theory inspired by his schizophrenia, but his loyalty to his brother still seems to supersede everything else for him. I was pleased to see three new cast members in this episode who all did their best despite this bleak material. I’ve been a fan of Imogen Poots since seeing her in “The Look of Love,” and she’s doing a good job here playing opposite Mark Ruffalo’s eternally grumpy and unpleasant Dominick. Rosie O’Donnell, last seen on “SMILF,” was stoic and unflappable as a social worker, and Archie Panjabi from “The Good Wife” and currently appearing on another Sunday night HBO show, “Run,” was more than ready to deal with Dominick’s lack of cooperation as the doctor now responsible for Thomas’ treatment.