JETT: Thoughts on Episode 2 “Charles Junior”

Jett was all new this week – and it is still amazing. Let’s start with the summary below and then get into the episode:

Jett is forced to mastermind a heist at the site of a high-end poker game; Baudelaire’s son Junior continues to vex his father.

Charles Junior – That man is a mess. He is that kid who wants the respect and power his father has, but he is way too flashy. I’m not even talking about his bbq’s with the naked men milling about. I’m here for that. I’m a little worried about the guy manning the grill though – one pop of grease comes off that grill and he is going to be wishing he had on some shorts. Junior though is walking around like he is new money. I read somewhere that wealth whispers and money talks. That is the perfect saying for Junior. He is money and he is loud about it. He. Blew. Up. His. Dad’s. Judge. To what? Grab power? Power he already could have if he would just calm the hell down. While we are at it though can we talk about the judge? He makes Junior start his car because he is worried there is a bomb and then when the car dies a few blocks later he sits there trying the ignition until it blows. No. Nope. No. Get. Out. Of. The. Car. 

The Cops – What I love is Jett acting like she was really telling the cops some information, but in actuality they told her more about Charles and his son and their enemies. What I don’t love is the police chick. I don’t do well with names and I haven’t learned hers yet. Mainly because whenever she is talking to Jett I am too busy making a face. She was talking really crazy to a woman she doesn’t know. She’s going to need to reign that all the way in. This is not to say I don’t like Jodie Turner-Smith. I do. Off topic, but if you didn’t see her in Nightflyers I suggest you do that ASAP. Back on topic, she is playing this character perfectly and that is evident in the way I dislike her so.

Bestic/Evans – Gil Bellows (Ally McBeal) makes his appearance as Bestic’s emissary. Now – I get that Bestic is mad, and I get that he feels like he needs to lay his dick down – for lack of a better term – but I don’t see pushing Jett as that great of an idea.

Photo Courtesy of Cinemax

Jett/Maria – We also get to see how Jett and Maria meet in this episode. Like I said, a lot happens. Maria doesn’t seem to be doing so well in the present and that sucks. Jett’s daughter isn’t taking it to well either asking a lot of questions about God. Jett on the other hand is busy trying to plan a job for Bestic that she isn’t completely in control of. Some things go sideways, as they do, and by the end of the episode she has a gun pointed at her. Which brings me back to what she said to Evans at the beginning…she picks who is on the jobs with her. Evans should have listened to her instead of being all aggressive about his way or no way, because one of the guys at the heist turning a gun on Jett is a definite issue/deviation from the plan.

Episode Thoughts – This episode was as beautifully shot as the first. Colors, framing, etc…it was just stunning. The costume designer on this show is killing it with the looks. I love how unapologetic the women on this show are about handling their stuff. It’s refreshing. Finally, something I noticed last episode that is still true, no one says more than they have to. Every word is necessary and there are no wasted words. I love it. 

P.P.S. Christopher Backus (Bosch) is so great as Bennie. He is polite while kidnapping people. He is sweet while roughing up a guy. It’s a great character and sometimes I have to watch a scene twice because I’m so engrossed in the main characters I miss how much he (and others) are doing in the background. 

Follow along here for our continued coverage through the season.

JETT airs Friday at 10pm on Cinemax