‘Archie’ Recap: ‘Episode 3’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Laura Aikman and Jason Isaacs as Dyan Cannon and Cary Grant in Episode 103 of ‘Archie’. (Photo Courtesy of BritBox.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Archie’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked at length about how the BritBox series, Archie, hits all the right notes when it comes to biographical features. Simply because, this series is putting on a masterclass in such matters, by showcasing how important it is for a bio feature to really resonate with an audience and how critical it is for them to properly showcase formative moments in the life and times of someone we admire. And well, we still have more praise to send this show’s way. Simply because it’s next episode also dives deep into something that makes this type of story quite successful and quite engaging. Specifically, this next chapter in the life of Cary Grant explores in great detail… the fact that the rich and famous struggle with life problems.

Because they are in fact, people… and we forget that sometimes since they are larger than life and quite the persona. But they are not immune to fights with loved ones and pressures that create stress and pain, that they have to resolve to go about their daily lives and for Cary Grant… a lot of what he encountered in that regard, was grounded in interpersonal problems and relationship malaise, as a result of his own issues with connecting with his family. In fact, trying to make nice with his mother by putting her in a better home didn’t give him the peace he hoped for, for her, or himself. Instead, it made her desperate to have some semblance of family because of how isolated she was, and she often pressed Cary for visits or to move to his hometown regardless of his career and that put a lot of undue stress upon him. The kind he at times struggled to handle.

Not to mention, his love affair with Dyan Cannon was not always as pristine as he would have liked it to be. For he at times… was detached from her and grossly arrogant and that put their love on the rocks for quite some time. Simply because Cary struggled with understanding what it meant for someone, he loved to be an individual and not just a long-standing admirer of him, and well… that brought forth the best part of this exploration. Specifically, how indeed he dealt with it, and what he did… was shockingly healthy. For he used advice from good sound minds to understand that he really loved Dyan and needed to learn how to nurture her and be there for her and give her freedom to be her own person. Which prompted him to also realize… that she was everything he wanted in life, and he asked for her hand in marriage.

Which she was happy to accept, yet still… the work to be a better man and be a good husband to Dyan had to continue, and it certainly wasn’t easy for Cary. But he did his best and he tried to grow and that made for a powerful episode. One that really did showcase all of our flaws when it comes to love and struggles, some of which we ourselves have taken part in. But more importantly, this is the episode that really showcased Cary Grant the man, not the superstar. For he was down to earth here and exposed and emotionally vulnerable more often than not, and that is what we truly connect with, and it genuinely removed the mystique of this incredible star and well… being vulnerable in this manner could not have come at a better time in his incredible life. 

For he was also surprised at the end of this tale with shocking news. In that, he was going to be a father. His greatest fear in many ways, and clearly, he will have to figure out how to navigate a role he’s tried to avoid. Which will be interesting to watch play out and that episode will have some tall shoes to fill. For this really was an amazing episode through and through, one that grabbed you from the get-go and never let go. Because it was just a powerhouse story about a shockingly talented man. One that we admire greatly, but a man nevertheless, and this is what more biographical features need to do. Because this is the stuff that really makes the journey worthwhile and inspires an audience, for if Cary Grant can go through some deep-rooted family messes and love problems and still be the best… we can get through our muck as well. Until next time.

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