The Americans, Season 4, Episode 3, Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow

In a time in which many series can be watched hour after hour, there is something still magical about having to wait each week for the next episode.  Especially in a complex and emotional series like The Americans, it allows the viewer to reflect and process the series.  Last week focused on the options regarding Pastor Tim. This week things become infinitely more complicated as their secret spreads.  Just when you think our protagonists might make it out clean and go to Disney World further disaster looms.

Phillip wakes up next to Martha on their pull out sofa bed.  She looks at him closely prompting Phillip to ask, “What?”  She states she’s still not used to it, seeing him without his “Clark” disguise and persona.

Elizabeth attends a Mary Kay associates sales meeting.  She listens intently to a Korean woman describing how the products are superior to “mall makeup counters” in matching the skin tones for Asian women.  She proudly tells her Asian clients “They don’t need to be green aliens. We are all Americans now.”

Elizabeth and Phillip meet with Pastor Tim at his church office.  Pastor Tim explains in all his years of hearing people’s secrets he has never heard a confession such as Paige’s.  Elizabeth is clearly there to assess the man and perform damage control. She explains their goals are not that much different then the ideals promoted by the church.  She points to their shared interest in nuclear non-proliferation and social justice.  Pastor Tim is not so naïve, he points to the Soviet oppression of Jews and Christians.  Elizabeth concedes her country isn’t perfect but neither is the United States.  Pastor Tim counters he “Can’t be a party to destruction.”  Phillip notes if he tells, they will go to prison and he will cause the “destruction” of their family.  Pastor Tim is clearly torn by his predicament and tells the couple he needs to think about the matter for a few days.  Elizabeth asks whether he has told anyone else, Phillip adds, “Like your wife?”  Tim admits he has spoken to his wife about the matter.

The couple goes to visit Gabriel to inform him about Pastor Tim’s wife knowing.  Phillip hands over the biological specimen to Gabriel who grumbles, “Can’t seem to get rid of this.”  Phillip argues they should leave and return to the Soviet Union before it’s too late.  He speculates if they were to kill Pastor Tim and his wife Paige would suspect them.  Gabriel presses Phillip to remain calm and let the Centre figure out the next step. The old man urges Phillip to “Keep Tim quiet for a little longer.”

At the FBI office, Agent Gaad makes an announcement to the office regarding security.  Specifically, it has been noted there have been discrepancies with the photocopy count. “This puts the whole agency at risk.” Stan looks directly at Martha.

Elizabeth shops for produce when the Korean woman from the Mary Kay meeting recognizes her as “Patty”.  The woman reintroduces herself as Young Hee.  Young is friendly and talks about her family and extended family that live with her.   “Patty” complains she isn’t good at selling yet and Young offers to help her go out and market the cosmetics.  Obviously Elizabeth is working to connect with the woman but it’s unclear why.  Is he possibly a North Korean defector?

Phillip knocks at Paige’s bedroom door and asks if they can talk for a moment.  He explains they met with Pastor Tim and he has spoken to his wife about their family. Paige apologizes and is angry with Pastor Tim for violating her confidence.  She tells her father that Alice is a huge gossip.  Phillip urges her to maintain her relationship with the Pastor and not “make him angry”, to prevent him from turning against them.  Phillip knows the Pastor cares about Paige and won’t want to hurt her.  He hopes she can help keep their secret safe a little longer.

A city bus drops off Martha in the evening.  Stan Beeman watches her in his car at a distance.  Stan has become increasingly suspicious of her behavior following Gene’s death.  Him following her is a new and dangerous development since she is meeting Phillip at “his apartment.”

Elizabeth and Young are successful going door-to-door to sell Mary Kay.  They take a break in the park to talk.  Young speaks about her spoiled daughter and “Patty” looks sad for a moment but declines to tell her new friend why. (Garner sympathy?) The two share some tea from a thermos.  Young compliments “Patty” on her ease with people and natural salesmanship, stating it took her months to make her first sale.  Young invites her to dinner with her family and “Patty” readily accepts.

Claudia and Gabriel meet at night on a park bench for an emergency meeting regarding the Jennings.  Gabriel tells her Pastor Tim has already told his wife and notes there are “no good choices.”  Claudia assures him she will talk to the Centre to devise a plan.  Gabriel concedes trying to recruit Paige was a mistake.  He feels the best option is to send them home.   Claudia concedes that is a choice, but not likely the Centre’s preferred one.

Phillip enters the bedroom to ask Elizabeth about her day.  She reports her feet hurt from walking about ten miles but she is “getting in there.”  Phillip relates to her his conversation with Paige.  He tells her their daughter was hurt and angered to learn Pastor Tim had betrayed her confidence.  Elizabeth doesn’t want her daughter to be angry with herself about the situation.  She asks him if he has had a chance to “patch things up” with Stan. She notes they could really use a friendly face at the FBI.  It is doubtful whether Stan would ever be friendly if he learned the truth about his neighbors.

Nina is back at her original prison.  She meets with Oleg’s father regarding the new charges against her stemming from her penning the letter to Anton’s son. He informs her an appeal would be difficult to argue at this point given her history.  He warns she may still be subject to “the harshest punishment” in other words, put to death.  He tells her both her husband and Anton have sent petitions to spare her. Nina asks to see her husband’s letter.  Looking at it, she cracks a miniscule smile. Nina may not care whether or not she lives or dies but she does care about redeeming herself to the ones she loves.

Gabriel pours tea for Phillip and Elizabeth.  He speaks about Disney World’s new offering in Orlando, the Epcot Center.  He thinks they should take the family on a vacation for a long weekend.  When they return, Pastor Tim and his wife will be dead following an “accident.” Again, Phillip protests this plan for being too easy for his daughter to figure out.  The old man advises them to bond as a family and not have contact with home during their vacation. “People believe what they need to believe.”  Phillip notes it will be impossible to recruit Paige after such an action. Elizabeth is more pragmatic, “We don’t have a choice.”

Outside Gabriel’s apartment, Phillip and Elizabeth speak privately in their car. Elizabeth is beginning to think it would be better for them to just go on this vacation and let the Centre deal with the Pastor Tim issue.  Phillip is adamant Paige will figure things out if the couple is killed.  Elizabeth reasons it is the only way they can keep their lives in the United States.

Paige visits with Pastor Tim at the church.  Despite her promise to her father, she vents her anger at him for telling Alice.  She proclaims, “Alice likes to talk.” Pastor Tim counters he cares about her.  He hasn’t decided whether to disclose her secret until he understands what exactly her parents do and whether people get hurt.  Paige storms out of his office.

Henry looks over travel brochures in the kitchen.  He’s excited to visit Disney World and the Epcot Center.  He urges his father the trip could be educational.  Phillip promises to “see what they can do” about going there this weekend.  Paige arrives hot from her meeting at the church.  She is not terribly interested when her brother tells her about the vacation.  She asks to speak with her parents about it upstairs in private.  Once alone with them she asks, “What do you guys do exactly? Do people get hurt?”  Her mother lies easily, telling her frantic daughter “Of course not, you know us.”  Elizabeth tells her they can talk about everything on their trip to Florida.

Elizabeth attends a boisterous dinner at the Young’s home.  The family laughs at Young’s husband and his affection for wine.  Elizabeth raises a toast to him, “East meets west!” Is the husband her real target?  Elizabeth bites a hot pepper and the family teases her about it before breaking out in the “hot pepper dance.”  After dinner, she speaks to her new friend alone.  Young complains about how spoiled her daughters are, citing the “Cabbage Patch Dolls” as an example.  Elizabeth tells her she is childless. They seem to have formed a fast friendship, based entirely on deception as usual.

Phillip answers his front door to find Sandra.  He hurriedly states, “Elizabeth isn’t here.”  But clearly she has come to see Phillip.  Phillip offers her some tea and they talk in the kitchen.  He tells her Elizabeth now knows he’s still attending Est. Sandra asks how she took the news. “She didn’t kill me!”  Sandra wants to find out how Elizabeth really felt about the program but Phillip doesn’t elaborate.  He relates that Stan “almost hit me” when he found out they had been meeting socially.  Sandra can’t believe his behavior but speculates, “His life is a mess.”  Phillip confesses his life is too and that recently they’ve had issues with Paige and a “lying incident.” (That’s one way to phrase it!)  Sandra feels a bit guilty about Stan and admits she hasn’t tried to stay in contact with him and neither has Matthew.

Dennis Aderholt picks up a memo off the FBI office robot.  He reads it to Stan.  It is an advisory memo to refrain from using the phrase the “FBI feels.”  Both men seem to catch the humor and irony of the memo coming out of a robot.  Stan recalls Dennis once had “feelings” or suspicions about him.  Stan thinks they should keep an eye on Martha.  Aderholt disagrees noting Gene fit the typical profile of a KGB operative.  Stan confesses he has started following Martha and she hasn’t gone home at least two nights this week.  Aderholt reasons she could be visiting family but Stan says she has no family in the area.  Stan continues, “Gene didn’t sit right, help me turn Martha.” Aderholt offers to take her to dinner.

Nina dreams.  She is in a room with brilliant light and an abundance of flowers.  Stan is waiting for her with a smile on his face.  He mouths the word, “Sorry.”  She turns to see that Anton is there for her too.  She wakes up in her cold gray cell with footsteps heard falling down the hallway.

At the travel agency office Phillip picks up his tickets and itinerary from one of his staff.  The man applauds him for making the time to spend with his family, something many people get too busy to do enough.  Phillip enters the office he shares with Elizabeth.  She asks whether he still thinks it would be better for them to leave the country.  Phillip replies he thinks it would be better.  Elizabeth doesn’t want to leave.  Phillip wonders if they could make a new home in the south, maybe in Odessa.  Elizabeth can’t see their two American kids adapting to a new country where they don’t even know the language.  She argues about the importance of their careers and mission in the United States.  Phillip reports he’s been hearing an alarm in his head for the past two days urging him, “Run, run!”  He notes Paige will lose whatever they decide to do.

The couple arrives at Gabriel’s flat to find the man on the floor, deathly pale and bleeding.  The old man struggles to breath as Elizabeth and Phillip try to assess what has happened. He yells, “Get out!”  They quickly determine he has been exposed to the glanders and panic that they may already be exposed and contagious.  They try to decide whether to stay with Gabriel as he coughs and wheezes on the floor.

Phillip and Elizabeth meet with William in a darkened park.  They inform him about how they discovered Gabriel on the floor and bleeding.  William takes off running from them.  Phillip manages to tackle him and choke him until he is subdued. William recovers and calls Phillip an asshole.  “You should have wrapped him in plastic and burned him his body!”  William admits he may have something to help.

The couple follows him to his apartment, which is sterile containing furniture wrapped in plastic and other hermetically sealed objects.  The scientist tells them he’s not crazy but suffers from multiple allergies and has lost his sense of smell because of his work.  He produces a vial and injects himself and then Phillip and Elizabeth.  “I always thought I’d get infected at work, not in a park by two people I thought were on my side!”  He explains the antibiotic may not be effective against the glanders sample.

The trio returns to Gabriel’s apartment and the old man looks gravely ill.  William looks in the refrigerator and finds a pneumatic tube looking container.  He cites the faulty lids as the reason for the exposure.  He grumbles, claiming he warned the Centre about the faulty containers.  He places the container in the oven and turns it on to kill the remaining specimen.  William injects the antibiotic into Gabriel’s neck. It may be too late to save him.

Henry plays games on his Atari system.  Paige looks up from her homework, jealous of her little brother’s ignorance of the family’s problems.

William declares they will need to remain at Gabe’s flat for the next thirty-six hours. Phillip says, “Guess we’re not going to Epcot.”  How will they explain their absence to Paige?  How will the Centre proceed with Pastor Tim, especially if the Jennings can’t leave town?  Phillip and Elizabeth are masters of manipulating people and their environment but it is doubtful they can win over Pastor Tim and his wife.

Next week’s preview highlights the quarantine and Martha continues being scrutinized by Stan and Dennis.  Paige will likely be tasked with watching her brother while wondering what in the heck her parents are really up to.  The truth seems to be escaping in the same way the virus did, through the faulty lid.  It is too late for an antidote?

ACS, The People vs. O.J. Simpson, Episode 9, Manna From Heaven

The final moments of last week’s episode hinted at the existence of damning evidence not against the defendant but against the prosecution’s star witness Detective Mark Fuhrman.  The penultimate hour of the season highlights the battle to admit the tapes as evidence the LAPD conspired to frame Mr. Simpson in the murders of his ex-wife and Ron Goldman.  The case morphs from murder trial into an expose of institutionalized racism by a major metro police force.  Johnnie Cochran sees himself as chosen by God himself to not only free Mr. Simpson but also become a hero to the black community. The prosecution doesn’t have a prayer to stop the public outrage caused by the tapes.

The hour opens with the television tuned to the nightly tabloid news show “A Current Affair.”  The subject is whether O.J.’s arthritis rendered him unable to commit the murders.  However, they have an exercise video made by O.J. just weeks before the murders showing him in prime physical shape. (Look it up on YouTube, it’s very strange.) Shifting away from the television program, the tip line operator questioning the woman who created the tapes.  Her name is Laura Hart McKinny; she spoke to Fuhrman as research for a screenplay she was writing.  She doesn’t really want to help the defense and hangs up on the man.

In court Darden struggles to question his witness over numerous objections by Cochran.  The witness claims he heard a man who “sounded black” and Cochran objects that this comment is “racist.”  Darden tries assert that it is the witness’s statement not his.  The bickering between Cochran and Darden frustrates Ito and the court takes a fifteen-minute recess.

Clark tries to consul Darden, “What happened was that guy saw the Bronco so Johnnie had to launch a racist stink bomb.”  This pattern has become the theme of the entire defense.  Clark is frustrated that Darden keeps reacting emotionally to Cochran’s tactic because that’s exactly what the defense wants, a frustrated prosecutor.

The defense team meets to discuss the Fuhrman tapes and speculates what they might contain.  The key portion is when Fuhrman speaks about “framing n@ggers.” Robert Kardashian explains the tapes belong to an unemployed screenwriter who doesn’t want money for the tapes but rather her screenplay bought.  The men bicker about the woman who couldn’t sell her screenplay but teaches a writing class in North Carolina.  Johnnie is adamant they need the tapes.  He theorizes they will allow “O.J. to walk free!”  Scheck is more cautious, reasoning things this good don’t just fall from the sky.  Johnnie disagrees, he sees the tapes as proof that God is on their side and this is “manna from heaven.”

Over at the prosecutor’s office, the mood is drastically different.  Clark informs Darden the defense is seeking to release thirteen hours of taped content from Detective Fuhrman.  Darden, who has always been wary of the detective, admits the tapes “scare him.”  Clark theorizes that maybe they are just stories, made up to impress the screenwriter.  Darden cautions her again, “People like stories.”

The defense is in high spirits.  Cochran theatrically gloats about receiving a “magical piece of paper.”  The paper is a subpoena for the tapes, which are in North Carolina.  The men argue who should go there to present their case to the judge.  Bailey wins over Shapiro since he has many years of experience working in the state. (In reality it was also because he agreed to pay his own way.)  Shapiro is unhappy to take the backseat on his own defense team.

Bailey and Cochran arrive at the Forsyth Courthouse.  Bailey boasts that he can “taste victory.”  The men spend several hours reviewing the transcripts of the tapes. The n word is seen on nearly every page.  After a while, Cochran is truly horrified by the material.  Bailey sees it differently, “Horrible we can sell!”  Cochran is still sickened by the cop’s words but admits it is something blacks have always known.

The evidentiary hearing begins at the North Carolina courthouse with Cochran presenting his request to a white judge.  Cochran uses his usual over-the-top style to explain the “travesty of the tapes not being heard.”  He continues that this is evidence of racism within the entire LAPD.  The judge is cold to his theatrics and warns, “There are no cameras in this courtroom.”  The judge is quick to decide the tapes are not relevant and denies the defense’s request for their release.

Johnnie exits the courthouse mad as a hornet at the judge and the system.  Bailey motions for him to look around, noting the symbols of the Civil War all around them. “Can’t you smell the mint juleps and condescension?” He tells Cochran to let him plead the case again dryly informing Cochran, “You don’t play well in Dixie.”

Bailey takes the floor and begins a very theatrical speech about how proud he is to be back in the great state of North Carolina.  He even manages to invoke Jesus in his pitch for the tapes.  Bailey has easily won the judge over.

Back in Los Angeles, Ito meets with both the defense and prosecution regarding the possible admission of the transcripts and tapes.  Clark immediately objects that the material is not relevant to the double homicide trial.  Cochran of course disagrees and believes the tapes need to be heard by both the jury and the public.  He claims they are “the smoking gun for the United States.”  Ito cautions both team to review the material but not to share it with anyone outside their teams until he can review the matter further.

The defense team listens as a group to the ugly stories, which highlight police brutality and rampant racism.  Clark and Darden look at the transcripts horrified by both Fuhrman’s language and antidotes about his career as an officer.  Everyone agrees this information is poisonous.

Gil walks through the office speaking to a subordinate about how the prolonged Simpson trial is damaging his re-election campaign.  Clark and Darden approach him about “something unexpected” they heard in the Fuhrman tapes.  The tape is played for Garcetti.  He listens with horror as he hears the detective compare Judge Ito’s wife Peggy York, his superior to a “marsupial” and a whore.  Gil knows York signed a sworn affidavit before the trial commenced stating she did not know Fuhrman, which is obviously a lie.  Not only did she know him, she was his boss. (And at the time the highest ranking female officer in the LAPD. She met Ito on the job, over a corpse. Romantic.)  She had reprimanded the detective in the past for defacing at Martin Luther King poster with “KKK.”  Gil concludes she could be called as a material witness rendering their entire effort a mistrial.  Furious, Gil screams at his team, “This is gross incompetency!”  Clark walks out of the office followed by Darden.

Once alone, Darden tries to offer her support.  He suggests they might benefit from a mistrial, a chance to present the State’s case without Fuhrman.  It is a tempting idea. Both attorneys feel the sting of Garcetti’s accusation of incompetence and desperately want to still win their case.

The defense is in an uproar over the threat of a mistrial due to Judge Ito’s wife. Robert Kardashian says, “I can’t live through this again.”  Bailey points out if the case were retried and moved to a white venue such as Santa Monica without Fuhrman’s testimony the case would be a slam dunk for the State.  Cochran wonders if Judge Ito knows about his wife’s new involvement with the case.

Clark approaches Judge Ito to explain the delicate issue.  The defense team is also present and waits tensely as she explains the problem.  Ito is visibly shocked and upset. “The whole situation is toxic.”  He decides the best course would be to continue this discussion in open court to avoid any appearance of a cover-up.

Judge Ito addresses the courtroom.  He states he’s concerned about a “fair court.”  He explains he loves his wife and was wounded to hear her being criticized in the tapes.  He concludes this evidence would affect his judgment, therefore another judge should determine whether this case should remain in court.  The courtroom erupts in murmurs.  Dunne tells his companion, “Insane!  They couldn’t get away with this plot twist in an airport paperback!”  Fred Goldman is visibly shaken by the threat of a mistrial.

Clark and Darden meet at the office.  Clark notes they are in a tricky position, if it appears they pushed for a mistrial it could trigger the “double jeopardy” rule and O.J. would go free.  Darden is very upset and doesn’t reply.  Clark urges him to “plow forward.”  Darden leaves her in silent anger.

Judge Reid has been assigned to decide what to do about the tape evidence.  Cochran argues the tapes need to be heard, they can simply redact the part regarding Judge Ito’s wife.  The judge asks for time to review the entire tapes and transcripts.

The defense team rides the elevator down together.  Cochran is furious about the delay in the case. (For once not of his making.)  He opines, “We need to turn up the pressure!”  Shapiro snaps back, “We have enough pressure, the city is about to explode!”  Shapiro fears the Fuhrman tapes will trigger riots reminiscent of the ones following the Rodney King verdict.

The prosecution rides a different elevator in awkward silence.  Finally, Darden unleashes his rage at Marcia.  “I told you NOT to use Fuhrman and you didn’t listen! You put me on this case because you wanted a black face but the truth is you never wanted a black voice!”  Clark looks like she has been slapped.

Cochran decides to “turn up the pressure” by calling a press conference with prominent local and national black organizations like the NAACP.  Cochran lets a young black man speak and he demands a federal investigation into these tapes.  He speaks passionately about “racist cops killing blacks.”  Shapiro watches the television coverage at home with his wife.  She says, “This is terrible.”  Gil watches the press conference as well and mutters, “They are threatening another riot.”  The gathered crowd begins to chant, “Release the tapes! Release the tapes!”

Ito tries to think in his chambers at the protestors demonstrate outside the courthouse.  A television report questions whether Ito can go forward with the case and that a ruling on the tapes is still pending.  Ito switches the TV off.  He looks at an hourglass on his desk and turns it over.

The court is back in session.  Cochran argues that the defense wishes to use the portions of the tapes in which Fuhrman uses racial slurs and speaks of planting evidence.  Clark argues that she is not there to defend Mark Fuhrman but to try O.J. Simpson for the murder of Ron and Nicole.  She states the jury needs to see the evidence and the rest is irrelevant.  She hesitates to present precedent evidence in regards to the use of racial slurs.  Other cases have decided that racial slurs were “immaterial” to the case.  She appeals to the court not to release the tapes stating,  “I am begging you from my soul!”  Darden glares at her, upset that she has had to argue racial slurs were not important.  Ito considers these statements carefully.

The courthouse is empty.  Ito is alone in his office listening to the filthy Fuhrman tapes.  Larry King is on TV opining about the tapes, “Judge Ito is screwed either way.”

In the morning, court resumes.  Ito states that the tape matter has become an overriding public interest and a national concern.  He has decided to let the tapes and transcripts be played in court in their entirety.  The Goldman family winces at the news.  Marcia stands up to protest the decision.  “This is a double homicide not Iran-Contra!”  Cochran stands up and starts to gloat about the “truth” being heard. Darden bursts out of his chair to argue with Cochran about his bullshit and lies.  He accuses Cochran of “inflaming and pressuring the court” turning the entire proceedings into a circus.  Ito cautions Darden is verging on being held in contempt of court for his outburst.  Cochran laughs and whispers to Darden, “Calm down.”  Darden warns Cochran, “Don’t.”

Ito recommends Darden take three deep breathes before he speaks again.  Darden pauses and states he would like counsel.  Ito asks if he wishes to call his counsel now. Darden looks imploringly at Clark.  Clark rises and states she doesn’t know exactly if she is representing Darden presently but she like to speak.  Clark continues to call the defense out for their tactics.  Ito cautions her, and advises her to take “ten deep breathes.”  She looks over at the defense table and says coolly, “Should I remove my watch and jewelry?” (In a reference to preparing to go to prison with Darden in contempt of court. A statement Darden remembers appreciatively. )

Darden has regained enough composure to apologize to Judge Ito.  Ito accepts his apology and offers on in return.  The prosecution is clearly beyond their limits in dealing with the ongoing theatrics of the case.

Cochran and his team arrive to a swarm of noisy protestors in front of the courthouse. Cochran revels in the attention.  One poster shows Mark Fuhrman with a Hitler style mustache.  In court, without the jury, the tapes are played while the text appears on a projector.  The whole court is silent and horrified by what they contain, even Mr. Simpson.  The detective describes how he loves to beat and torture his suspects.  He mentions, “Falsifying a report is part of being a policeman.”  Johnnie cracks a minuscule smile as he listens.

Darden watches TV alone in his office.  Fred Goldman speaks out, “This is now the Mark Fuhrman trial, not the trial of the man who murdered my son!”  Clark enters and tries to lighten his mood with a joke. “Do you know that Fuhrman’s initials are M.F.?”  Darden replies, “It’s funny but I don’t feel like laughing.  It seems like it’s all over.”   Clark hopes that maybe the jury still won’t hear the tapes.  Darden is cynical, “They are just one conjugal visit away from knowing everything.”  Clark apologizes to him for not listening about Fuhrman.  Darden apologizes for his blunder with the gloves.  Clark adds, “We should have listened to each other.”  They shake hands but soon Clark makes excuses to get back to work.

Cochran is in his office giving an interview over the phone to the press.  New erupts Ito has made a decision regarding the tapes.  The lawyers gather to read the fax.  The Judge has decided two sentences will be heard, the ones directly pertaining to Fuhrman perjuring himself.  Cochran is livid and roars at his team to call every network.  Shapiro urges him to remain calm noting they are there to “defend the client, not burn down the city.”  Shapiro says he understands Cochran’s frustration.  Cochran fires back, “There’s no way you can understand, Bob!” (Not exactly true, Fuhrman was a Nazi lover and Shapiro is Jewish.  But only race matters in this case.)

Cochran preaches for the press, “O.J. was framed and the cover-up continues and they want the citizens of LA to remain calm!”

Cochran finally unwinds at home with his wife after a long day.  She brings him a whiskey as they sit at the end of their massive bed together.  Cochran expresses his frustration stating, “There was so much I hoped to accomplish.”  His wife assures him he has succeeded, “The world heard the truth. To hell with O.J.! He’s an imperfect vessel, but you got the message out.”  His wife seems to think Johnnie has been chosen by God to fight oppression while living a lavish lifestyle.  They are perfect match.

Fuhrman finally arrives for his day in court amongst angry protestors.  Some even attempt to spit on the detective as he enters the courthouse.  Fuhrman walks into the trial with his head high but his eyes downcast.  He is universally hated by the entire gathering.  O.J. glares at him.  Bailey observes, “It is hard to be hated by both sides, it takes a man of certain character.”  Darden exits the courtroom without a word.

Cochran begins to question the shamed detective.  Fuhrman maintains his Fifth Amendment right to not testify against himself.  After several repetitions, Clark asks, “Are we going to curtail this performance?”  Cochran decides to ask one final question of Fuhrman, “Did you plant evidence in this case?”  Again, he asserts his Fifth Amendment right.  The State’s whole case now looks like a lie because of this crooked cop.  Clark glances back at Fred Goldman.

Back at the prison, O.J. changes back into his prison garb furiously happy.  He tells Robert Kardashian, “That was magical, wow!”  O.J. is confident he’ll be leaving prison very soon because Mark Fuhrman framed him.  Robert Kardashian looks pained like he still has doubts about his friend’s innocence.

An assistant presents Clark with “the judge’s ruling.”  Assuming it’s about the Simpson case Clark wonders “What Ito is up to now?”  The ruling is on her divorce case, she has received primary custody of her children.  The assistant congratulates her success.  Marcia holds the documents close to her heart.

Next week is the season finale.  The acquittal was the shocking conclusion of this “slam dunk” case gone so horribly wrong.  Opinions about the verdict ran sharply on racial lines, with blacks celebrating and whites outraged.  Even today, the trial brings up sharp divisions and remains racially charged.  It echoes in our current politics and attitudes about police brutality and institutionalized racism.  But was it true in this case is the lingering question.  I understand American Crime Story has been renewed for a second season exploring the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina, a subject guaranteed to continue to explore issues of racism and privilege in America.

Better Call Saul, Season 2, Episode 7, Inflatable

The temptation to rebel overcomes Jimmy in this episode.  Will he manage to persuade Kim to become his partner in crime?  Is he willing to leave his cushy secure job to realize his dreams of success?  The preview hinted Jimmy wants to live his life in color.

A young Jimmy looks at the magazine rack at his father’s corner market.  From the music and the magazine titles it appears to be the early ‘70’s.  Jimmy passes over Time and Mad magazine to look at a Playboy, which he conceals behind another title.  He feigns sweeping when his father calls out to him.  A man comes into the shop with a long story about spilled medicine and an ill child.  The man finally asks for money to get home because he has car trouble.  Young Jimmy calls his father aside and warns him the man’s story is false.  “Every grifter in town knows this is the spot for a handout!”  Jimmy Sr. is surprised that his son even knows the word “grifter” and chastises him for not believing the man’s story.  His father proceeds to give the man twice the amount of money he asked for.   Jimmy Sr. heads to the storeroom to find sparkplugs to fix the man’s car. 

Once alone the man orders two cartons of Kool cigarettes, that he pays for from a large stack of bills that doesn’t include the ten dollars Jimmy’s dad just gave him.  He looks at young Jimmy sharply, “There are wolves and sheep in this world, and you need to figure out which one you’re going to be.”  (This quote is likely a Biblical allusion to be wary of “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”)  Jimmy looks at the cash register as the man leaves.  He removes eight dollars from the till, the amount the man paid for two cartons of cigarettes.  (Today’s price would be about $70!)  It confirms Chuck’s story about his brother stealing from the old man until his store went out of business.  Young Jimmy decided in that moment to no longer be a sheep like his father.

Jimmy doodles on a legal pad, a series of “W’s and M’s” as he waits for his client at the courthouse.  Mike arrives and they have a meeting with two attorneys to “amend his statement” regarding the Salamanca shooting.  Jimmy explains Mike no longer believes the gun was Tuco’s but he doesn’t say it’s his either.  The lawyers are skeptical of this “new fact.”  They theorize Mike has been threatened by Salamanca or possibly paid off by him.  Close to guessing the truth, Jimmy and Mike end the meeting and leave.  Jimmy offers his services “on the house” because he knows how dangerous Tuco can be.  Jimmy recounts his experience of being kidnapped and hog-tied by Salamanca with a gun to his head.  Mike looks at him blankly, “You’re telling me this why?”  Mike doesn’t want Jimmy to guess he really has been paid off or threatened by the family.  Jimmy adds, “Discretion is the better part of valor!”  Mike doesn’t want to owe Jimmy, so he leaves with a request he be sent a bill for his services.

Leaving the courthouse, Jimmy calls Kim and asks her if she has tendered her resignation to HHM.  Kim tells him she still has to interview the next day and will not quit until she has a formal offer in hand.  She hopes the offer will include what she and Rich spoke about, payment of her fifteen thousand dollars in law school debt and partnership in two years.

Jimmy is at his office dictating a letter to his assistant Omar.  “Dear Clifford, It is with heavy heart I resign form Davis and Main.”  Jimmy continues his letter describing his time at the firm as “some of the most satisfying days of my professional life.”  Omar is shocked that Jimmy would resign after working so hard and enjoying the many perks offered by the company.  He adds, “You don’t keep the bonus if you quit.”  Jimmy pulls out his contract and concedes his assistant is correct.  Jimmy shakes his head and tries to laugh the whole exercise off as a “way to blow off steam.”  Omar promises not to tell anyone about it.  Jimmy sighs, “I love it here!  It was just a momentary lapse of reason.”  The real lapse of reason was when Jimmy took the job thinking he could be a sheep.

Jimmy drives his Mercedes to Albuquerque with his mug bouncing in its new spot. He passes a strip mall where an inflatable balloon man waves in the wind.  It seems he identifies with the puppet-like motion as it relates to his feelings of being stuck and artificially happy.  He smiles like he has a plan.

Jimmy returns to his apartment with a new wardrobe of suits.  Removing them from the black protective bags the suits are revealed to be every color of the rainbow.  He chooses salmon colored suit and boldly enters the office the next day to meet his new clients who are funeral directors.  A montage ensues showing Jimmy’s colorful wardrobe choices and the inflatable man waving.  Jimmy buys the office a juicer that irritates his co-workers with its loud noise.  He manages to ruin a colleague’s shirt with the fresh juice.  At night he loudly coaches the janitor in broken Spanish about how to clean the floor.  The young man is offended, “I’m from Michigan!”  An office meeting is called to address the issue of “not flushing number 2!”  Jimmy proudly takes responsibility claiming he’s trying to save water.  Cliff shakes his head and informs him the toilets are already “low flow.”

Jimmy makes a purchase at a pawnshop.  The next day, bagpipes wail completely out of key throughout the office.  When confronted by his boss Jimmy asks, “You can hear that through the walls?”  Jimmy claims he’s adopted a means of relieving stress, similar to Cliff’s playing of classical guitar.  Cliff calls him into his office.  “You win, you’re fired!”  Cliff has seen through Jimmy’s ruse to get fired so that he may keep his sign-on bonus.  Cliff sarcastically congratulates him but asks, “How did I mistreat you?”  Jimmy explains he’s just a “square peg.”  Cliff is angry and reports the special desk he requested cost seven thousand dollars.  Jimmy offers to send him a check for it.  Cliff advises him to “Take it; get out!”  Jimmy walks slowly through the office of stunned co-workers.  Erin glares at him smugly; Jimmy grabs her soda can out of her hand and tosses in the garbage can.  (Burn!)

Jimmy heads to HHM to visit with Kim.  He finds her in her office working on her own resignation letter, which she seems to be editing heavily.  He asks if she can join him in the conference room for a private conversation; intrigued, Kim follows him to the large room.  Jimmy hands her a business card with W&M cutout.  He tells her he has a better offer than Sweikart, one that could make her a partner tomorrow.  He proposes they form a law firm together.  He argues they are good together and she has proven, with Mesa Verde, capable to attract her own clients.  Kim is reluctant, “You make it sound easy.”  Jimmy counters he knows what it’s like to work in the back of a nail salon.  He knows opening an independent firm will take a lot of work but it would be their own.  “You deserve more than a lateral move.”  Jimmy confesses he was just fired from Davis and Main mostly because it wasn’t the right fit for him.  He argues she would be the right partner.  Kim asks, “What kind of lawyer do you want to be?”  Jimmy hesitates before answering he wants to be a good “straight” lawyer; however, “there is no point to this unless I can be myself.”  He’s tired of trying to please people like his brother.  Kim counters she doesn’t see why they have to be together as work partners.  The implication is Kim doesn’t want to lose her career if Jimmy can’t play straight.  She ends by saying, “You’ve got me, but not as a law partner.”  She exits the room leaving Jimmy alone.

Stacey tours a large open house with Mike.  She raves about the house and that it’s a “safe” neighborhood with good schools. However, she acknowledges the house is really expensive. Mike assures her he’ll make it happen.  She embraces her father-in-law and adds, “Thanks Pop!”  It seems clear she is using Mike to provide her with a lifestyle beyond her means. Did she do the same thing to her late husband?  Did Mike’s son “turn dirty” to help meet her materialistic demands?  Mike has a blind spot for his family’s flaws.

Jimmy drives his old yellow and red Geo Metro back to the nail salon where he is meet by a U-Haul truck.  Omar has driven the truck to assist his move back into the salon.  They unload the cocobolo desk into the small office in the back.  Omar fails at concealing his shock about Jimmy’s change of circumstances.  The men load the old desk back into the truck.  Jimmy advises Omar “dump it by the side of the road” in the same manner it was originally acquired.  Jimmy offers to pay Omar with money or libations, but the young man refuses stating he needs to get back home to his family.  Omar asks what Jimmy will do next.  “Onward and upward!” he replies confidently.  Back inside, Jimmy sets up his voice message.  On the desk sits a Davis and Main mug full of pencils.  The first message he records with a “Mrs. Doubtfire” accent, before changing it to his own voice.  The gesture symbolizes him accepting his true “wolf” self.

Mike has driven his car to a remote area where he can view the Salamanca ice cream shop.  He appears to be staking out the den of his enemies.

Kim interviews with the new firm dressed chicly in all black.  Rich urges her to tell them more about herself.  They are especially interested in her humble beginnings in the mailroom at HHM.  With some hesitation, Kim reveals she is from a small town near the Nebraska-Kansas border.  She reasons if she had stayed there she would have married the gas station attendant, but she wanted more from life.  The panel of three lawyers is impressed with her interview.  As they walk her out, Rich promises she will hear from them very soon.  Kim seems very happy and shakes hands, but calls Rich “Howard” by mistake.  Rich laughs it off, saying he’s happy to be confused with such a handsome man.  But, the mistake illustrates how Jimmy was right; the change of position will end up being a lateral move.  Kim will still be working under someone else’s name.

Kim goes up to the roof to smoke, her daily exercise of rebellion.  She looks at the mock business card Jimmy gave to her.  She tears it in half and scrutinizes the letters.

Kim drives over to the nail salon but Jimmy is “in a meeting.”  Jimmy shows out the scruffy UM film students.  He is likely planning to use them to shoot another commercial.  Kim notes, “You got your old car back.”  Jimmy comically confesses, “The kidney people wouldn’t take it!”  Kim reports the interview went well, but she doesn’t plan on accepting the offer.  Kim has decided to open a solo practice and proposes they become Wexler and McGill, separate but together in the same office. She elaborates this arrangement will allow them to each do things in their own way. “We’re heading the same direction, might as well share a cab.”  Jimmy ponders her proposal.  “I don’t know what to say.”  She replies, “Say yes.”

Only three episodes remain this season.  The preview shows Mike continuing to go out on surveillance, while Jimmy takes charge in his new professional career.  Chuck collapses at HHM.  Will he die this season and, if so, how will his younger brother take it?   Jimmy has long been willing to break the rules; the difference now is he seems to be embracing his identity as criminal type lawyer.  Has Jimmy recruited Kim as a way of keeping his “dark side” in check?  Can she or will she want to ride with him to the dark side in a purple suit?  If so, lets hope they take her car.