The Stop Button

The Gilded Age (2022) s03e02 “What the Papers Say” [2025] D: Deborah Kampmeier. S: Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Louisa Jacobson, Denée Benton, Taissa Farmiga, Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski. Thanks to some semi-twists, fantastic acting (Baranski gets to flex), and a killer cliffhanger, the episode distracts from the fast resolutions to outstanding plot threads. The continuing ones seem fine–including setting up Coon for a big season, even though she’s been queenmaking behind the scenes until now–but AGE is finite. Exceptionally good gowns this episode, too.

The Gilded Age (2022) s03e03 “Love Is Never Easy” [2025] D: . S: Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Louisa Jacobson, Denée Benton, Taissa Farmiga, Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski. Lots of great soapy scenes distract from the wheel spinning as far as plot arcs are concerned. Most of the first act’s conflicts are completely resolved by the third–it’s still too soon (is it, though) to figure out Coon’s season arc or anyone’s; except maybe Benton’s. Her story–about classism affecting her potential love life–is the highlight.

The Gilded Age (2022) s03e04 “Marriage is a Gamble” [2025] D: . S: Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Louisa Jacobson, Denée Benton, Taissa Farmiga, Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski. It’s Farmiga’s wedding episode so it’s unfortunate she never gets centered. Lots of subplots perturb (or seeming resolve) and the show seems to be positioning Coon for a boring villain arc. Good acting, especially Benton and Baranski. It’ll probably all be fine but there’s too many perfunctory closures occurring at once.

Poker Face (2023) s02e10 “The Big Pump” [2025] D: Clea DuVall. S: Natasha Lyonne, Jason Ritter, Patti Harrison, Method Man, Natasha Leggero, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Laith Wallschleger. Guest star Ritter’s angry he’s not seeing enough fitness results and blames other guest star Method Man. Do they both have secrets worth dying for? Delightful performances–from everyone, particularly Method Man and Harrison as Lyonne’s sidekick–make up for a generally inert, way too easy mystery. However, Brooklyn’s the longest Lyonne’s been in a location; the bit’s ripening.

Poker Face (2023) s02e11 “Day of the Iguana” [2025] D: Ti West. S: Natasha Lyonne, Simon Helberg, Patti Harrison, Lili Taylor, Justin Theroux, Haley Joel Osment, Taylor Schilling. Harrison and Lyonne are buddies working a wedding where mysterious assassin Theroux is after groom Osment. Harrison thinks Theroux’s cute. Also Helberg’s back for another episode as Lyonne’s FBI body. Lots of intricate setup for very little unraveling, as it turns out it’ll all play into the season finale next episode. Really good performances (and good bits) carry it fine.

Poker Face (2023) s02e12 “The End of the Road” [2025] D: Natasha Lyonne. S: Natasha Lyonne, Rhea Perlman, Simon Helberg, Patti Harrison, Lili Taylor, Taylor Schilling, Adam Arkin. Season–or is that series–finale is simultaneously accomplished, predictable, and divine. Lyonne and Harrison are trying to find mob-boss-in-witness-protection Perlman so they can escape hit man Theroux. Meanwhile, FBI guy Helberg is trying to find them, too. Beautifully done (though there’s a big BTS question mark at the end), with fantastic performances. Big wow.

Resident Alien (2021) s04e04 “Truth Hurts” [2025] D: Brennan Shroff. S: Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler, Elizabeth Bowen, Meredith Garretson. Tudyk spends most of his episode with returning guest star Edi Patterson, who he loves but finds revolting physically now because he’s just human. Will he or won’t he tell her? Meanwhile, Wetterlund can’t help getting the currently independent subplots closer together. Great episode for very funny Tudyk and Reynolds (who’s learning to love believing in aliens).

Resident Alien (2021) s04e05 “The Human Condition” [2025] D: Sydney Freeland. S: Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler, Elizabeth Bowen, Meredith Garretson. Tudyk gets a lot of good material as he tries to figure out how to live as a human who used to be an alien, rather than an alien impersonating a human. Tomko’s got a lot going on (albeit reacting to everyone else). Reynolds, Bowen, Fiehler, Garretson all seem ready to combine plot threads. Great Jenna Lamia showcase, too.

Resident Alien (2021) s04e06 “Soul Providers” [2025] D: Sydney Freeland. S: Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler, Elizabeth Bowen, Meredith Garretson. Absurdly sappy episode–which should’ve gotten through as Capracorn–stumbles its way to a lovelily acted conclusion. Tudyk’s on trial at space court and discovers he’s got a soul; meanwhile, Wetterlund tries to find Tomko’s bank deposit, which she drunkenly lost. The episode keeps the laughs coming while going from syrupy to content warning to sincere. Bad directing, though.

Resident Alien (2021) s04e07 “Daddy Issues” [2025] D: . S: Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler, Elizabeth Bowen, Meredith Garretson. Stephen Root guest stars as Tudyk’s alien dad in human form and brings the right energy. The part itself is a little thin. They argue and make faces. Good stuff. Meanwhile, the humans are all in crisis, mostly alien-related but also serious human drama. The show definitely seems to be setting up for a finish. A strong okay.