Monday, June 7, 2021

What I’m Watching: The Mosquito Coast (Season Finale)

The Mosquito Coast: Season 1, Episode 7 “The Glass Sandwich” (B)

I’m surprised to note that this indeed a season finale and this show has in fact been renewed for a second season. While the ending of the episode was indeed strong, it’s what I would have expected halfway through and not all the way at the end since so much time has passed without this show actually getting to be what it should have been all along. It’s hard to believe that this family managed to survive this long with Allie being so disconnected from what they all want and Charlie making some seriously poor decisions, like shooting the man who was taking pictures of their van but not killing him, drawing far too much attention to them and putting them all at risk. At least he didn’t talk when he got arrested, but that was a close call with Allie getting inside the station just in time to break him out. Dina blowing up the van while Allie was inside and then setting the other cars on fire was a reminder of the cleverness and quick thinking that we saw back in the first two episodes that has been largely absent since then. Margot saying “Not now” when asked about the truth felt like a ridiculous move given that it’s been seven episodes and we still have no concept of what actually happened, only breadcrumbs along the way from sources who may not be entirely reliable. Margot got to punch Allie in the nose to keep up the act, but he still won out when he got to declare that, as predicted, where they were headed was perfect. I will still watch a second season if it showed them in their new life, but at this point I’m not sure that this investment was worth it after a very strong start.

Season grade: B
Season MVP: Justin Theroux

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