What I’m Watching: Swimming with Sharks (Season Finale)

Swimming with Sharks: Season 1, Episode 6 “Chapter Six” (B)

I’m not sure I expected everyone to survive this episode, but I don’t think I would have predicted the first casualty. Lou standing over Redmond gave her power in a way that he usually wields even while he is laying down, and though she alleged that she was being framed by Travis and that he too wanted to destroy Redmond, she took him out rather quickly and decisively. Detective Witter and Joyce discussing how they were both pregnant seemed to deflect from the questions at hand, which Joyce avoided by pretending not to have known Lou. But after she watched Joyce and Miles having sex and then saw them being photographed at the premiere, she showed up to confirm what wasn’t definite before, which is that Joyce did in fact use Lou’s eggs. Shooting Miles in the hand that he used to masturbate was a pointed and particular move, and Joyce seemed to acknowledge who Lou really was in a way that moved her to leave without killing her. That parting note about getting a happy ending depending on where you stop the story was haunting, as was Lou’s final act. I hadn’t noticed before this that creator Kathleen Robertson, who impressed me greatly on “Boss,” was the one who played Lou’s mom in the flashbacks, a fitting part for her. While Lou certainly won’t be back for season two, I do wonder if this milestone foray into half-hour programming for Roku will lead to a second season for this show. It has been intriguing and involving, even if it feels like it’s over so quickly.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Kiernan Shipka as Lou