‘Ragdoll’ Recap: ‘Episode 1’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Often times, stories that revolve around our darkest hour or a moment of weakness, tend to wrap up when the character that has been through hell, is facing the end of their difficult journey. In large part to express to the reader or the viewer, that what comes next for us, after stepping out of the darkness... is the unknown. The kind of fate that we decide and hopefully, we make it a good one and it makes sense as to why stories that feature this kind of journey of recovery stay in such vague territory. Because looking toward an unknown tomorrow with only anticipation and hope, inspires an audience through and through, to the point where they firmly believe that they will find the same when tough times invade their mental space. But while that definitely allows for some feel good storytelling… it honestly does the audience a great disservice. 

Simply because, while we do indeed find hope at the end of a dark tunnel, the road back into the light isn’t an easy one in the slightest. For the world is chaos and it sends more challenges our way whether we like it or not, which is why it is imperative that we remain strong in our recovery when that happens… so we don’t slide backwards or find ourselves back in the place we thought we left behind. Which is a vastly more powerful message to send to an audience and it is one that is starting to find its way into storytelling. Because audiences are asking for depth and writers are eager to provide just that, and it just so happens that the difficult side of what comes next, serves as the centerpiece of a brand-new series on AMC+ entitled Ragdoll.

Which is a surprise to say the least, since this is at its core, a serial killer story and therein lies the brilliance of introducing such a notion into a crime drama. Because that can in fact, allow for a person in recovery to be challenged like never before and boy oh boy, is that precisely what our main character goes through. For when we are introduced to DS Nathan Rose in this story, we find him in a tough place. Wherein he’s trying to come back from a nearly career ending mistake, since he snapped in a courtroom and attacked a murderer in front of everyone when it became apparent the monster was going to go free and well… after spending a little time in a mental care facility, he’s back on the job and working to move his career forward and thankfully, he has a solid support network in DI Emily Baxter and DC Lake Edmonds.

But one particular call, is what begins to challenge Rose in a powerful new way. For the discovery of the work of a serial killer, one where the remains of six separate victims have been stitched together to create one nightmare inducing corpse, forces Rose to face the darkest parts of his past and that is of course… no easy task and it is an outright stroke of brilliance storytelling wise. Simply because, mental health and the difficult and ongoing recovery that one must go through to maintain it after a break… is rarely shown on the silver or small screen. So, to find it here, in a police serial about a serial killer, makes this a bold story through and through, one that genuinely pushes Nathan hard and demands every ounce of effort from him and it sets the stage for quite the powerful journey. One where Nathan will once again face the darkest parts of the human condition, and the darkness in his own soul. Which nearly consumed him not that long ago and that absolutely compels the viewer to continue this powerhouse journey.

In part because, you want to learn more about the killer, since this story also makes a point to keep the monster and their true intentions behind this heinous murder… a secret from the audience. But more so because… you want to see how Rose is going to rise to the challenge and deal with his stumbles before ultimately reaching his goals of mental peace and balance and that draws you in, because you know deep down… that’s about as realistic a journey as it gets. One that truly informs us that what comes next is more work and a fight to keep what we have attained and at this point, you’ve likely noticed that this recap is super light on the spoilers and there is good reason for that. Because you need to experience the power of this journey firsthand, and the many surprises present in this premiere, and we certainly hope that you do and join us back here every week… to discuss the wonder of the most unique serial killer show on television right now. Until next time.

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