CLAWS Recap: “Shook”

How could you all let me go so long without watching Claws? It’s officially my new favorite guilty pleasure.

The characters are spectacularly problematic, and yet I find myself thinking, “These are my people.” I love them, and also want to smack them, which seems to be how they generally feel about each other. One reviewer compared it to a Carl Hiassen book, but it is so much wilder than that. Yet, in spite of a cast of characters and scenarios that are bizarre yet somehow believable (I mean, it’s Florida. Anything can happen), the show forces you to take it seriously and identify with moments experienced by people who are probably nothing like most of us. And, not only does the show have a diverse cast, we’ve got a little neurodiversity too. I love it.

In season 1, we saw Desna (Niecy Nash) unintentionally rise to power during her attempts to get free of the Hussers. Desna and Virginia (Karrueche Tran) managed to get away with murdering Roller. The funeral scene in episode 2 is one of the most wonderfully wrong things I’ve ever seen on television. By the end of season 1 the Russians (Georgians?) have taken control of the Hussers operations. Roller is back from the dead (although, I could have lived without the crazy swamp kidnapping tangent), but the Hussers are in tailspin after losing everything. Desna and her crew have to adjust to the new normal.

Season 2 of Claws arrived Sunday, and it looks like this season is going to amp up the crazy and double down on the drama. We’ve got a whole new crazy family in charge. Riva’s quickly been replaced by her sister Zlata (Franka Potente) who’s unhinged leadership style is even more disturbing than Uncle Daddy’s leadership was. Speaking of Uncle Daddy (Dean Norris), the Hussers are refusing to follow orders, so Zlata is out to get them back in line, which involves forcing Roller (Jack Kesy) to marry his baby mama, who also happens to be Zlata’s daughter. Polly (Carrie Preston) and Dr. Ken (Jason Antoon) seem to be going strong, but Polly’s got Marnie to take care of since she bought her from her mother to save her from being trafficked last season. Jen (Jenn Lyon) and Bryce (Kevin Rankin) are still on the rocks, and now Zlata’s trying to mess with Desna and Jen’s friendship as well. Quiet Ann (Judy Reyes) is still pining, and Dean (Harold Perrineau) has caught on to Virginia’s pregnancy. And Desna, poor Desna. She’s got Zlata dragging her further into a business she desperately wanted out of (or does she really?), and she still doesn’t know that Dr. Ruval (Jimmy Jean-Louis) isn’t the fairy tale prince she thinks he is.

The caliber of the cast in this show is mind boggling. For a show that is just so sincerely ridiculous, there is some solid acting going on. That’s what keeps the show from taking on the feel of Tom and Jerry/Wiley Coyote style hi-jinks and keeps the show grounded enough to balance out the Jerry Springer antics. And how somehow it all ends up feeling like female empowerment leaves me baffled, but I like it.

I’m currently seeking members of my lady crew. No murder required.

Claws airs Sundays at 9:00/8:00c on TNT.