PS - Widow's Bay, Episode 8 - Disappointing

 

So ... remember when I said in the last post that there's a very fine line between copying the work of your directing influences VS. paying homage to them (while adding your own mark) - and that Murai had nailed that?

(I later added that Murai only directed the first 3 episodes and I was eager to see the ones he didn't direct - also with different writers - to see if they kept the vibe consistent).

Donovan was able keep consistent and actually top Murai, in Episode 4 (I corrected the post below) - but unfortunately, by Episode 8 - they did not.

In fact, it was a copy rather than an homage.

The difference?

A copy is when you straight up copy (steal) someone else's storyline completely.

An homage is when you momentarily nod at your directorial influences, but then  add your own distinct mark to it.

In Episode 8, they essentially copied the storyline of Halloween completely - and did NOT make their own twist or mark.

Super disappointed in that. Like I said, I think it's a bit too early in the series - AND Murai's career - to start switching up directors and writers. 

Though that happens, it's usually reserved for directors whose style is already well known AND with series in their 3rd or 4th season.

In this case, neither is true - few people know Murai's style AND this is only the first season.

However,  that's a new thing with these streaming series, switch directors and writers mid first season - whatever their intention, cost of staff, etc., - it instead comes off to me as a bait-and-switch routine?

Like they get you invested in the first-string and then put in the guys on the bench, who are on the bench for a reason, either rookies or just not as good.😂

The only positive thing about it is that it does vindicate Patricia - and that's about it. 

Otherwise, for those wondering why Tom literally kicked Wyck (with his foot, in the chest) off the boat in Episode 7 and Wyck thanked/praised him for it?

(Episode 7 was actually really good. Not sure it was consistent, but it came close.)

So ... don't overthink it, as I initially did.

Yes, it does relieve Wyck of his own "curse" of  guilt and "being haunted" by kicking his friend off  him while they were both drowning as children -  but that's a byproduct. 

IMO, the main reason Tom kicks Wyck off the boat is the simple fact that no one born on the island can ever leave or they will die.

Thus, with Tom now realizing that at least some elements of the curse are legit - kicked Wyck off the boat just before they reached the buoy or hWyck would certainly die.

Yes, there's the argument that Wyck could've drowned in the dark, turbulent water anyway, but at least he had a chance to live (which he did) versus certain death if he went past the buoy.

At least that's my theory, it's just not spelled out clearly for us?

Episode 9 has not dropped yet, and I'm hoping they'll return to the Murai formula - because if they don't, this series risks cancelation before it even gets off the ground due to repeating others storylines, even though this series has - or at least it had - so much potential!