‘Bad Monkey’ Recap: ‘Nobody Said He Was Alvin Einstein’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Vince Vaughn as Detective Andrew Yancy in Episode 103 of ‘Bad Monkey’ – ‘Nobody Said He Was Alvin Einstein’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Bad Monkey’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
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Often times in crime stories, the moment the bad guy begins to clean house and tie up loose ends, we are near the end of the story. Because then the gumshoe in question is getting far too close to the case. So, it’s either start whacking people and escape prosecution and persecution or face down the letter of the law. And of course, this never goes well for the baddie, since they either get caught in the act or leave one loose end that brings them to justice at the end as expected. Which is why the Apple TV+ series, Bad Monkey is so incredibly refreshing, because… it defies convention and is clearly planning to take us on a vastly different ride, as evidenced by this week’s episode.

For ‘Nobody Said He Was Alvin Einstein’ saw Yancy and Rosa continue their investigation into whatever Christopher and Eve were up to, and that brought about… some fine comedy and some fine sleuthing to say the least. The kind that saw Yancy showcase how well he reaches people on a fundamental level since he inspired a security guard… to bust he and Rosa, and he did get through to Madeline about the fact that Phinny got a payoff for tying the arm to the boat to set this whole thing in motion. Not to mention… they were able to find the shady and drug loving doctor, named Israel O’Peele, that performed the operation to remove that arm. Giving rise to a grand case for Yancy to go after… one that quickly fell to pieces.

In part because, ol’ Christopher decided… it was time to clean house. For he made the trip to Izzy’s apartment to take care of him post haste, since he knew way too much, and blabbed to Eve about Yancy’s visit. And really, he didn’t quite seem like that much of a trustworthy guy. And even Madeline was worried that doom was coming her way. But truly, what ended the case and seemingly left Yancy high and dry, was the sheer fact that Caitlin signed off as this being an accident. Which closed the case and left Yancy upset enough to say something, which in turn pushed Caitlin to think upon her next moves and well, that’s a hell of a twist. One that basically shut this whole thing down, three episodes in, and it only got worse from there for Yancy.

Simply because… Caitlin’s decision led to quite the surprise. For she made a point to swing by the house to point a gun at Eve to get her to admit that she was a murderer. Only for Christopher to reveal… he’s not really Christopher. He’s Nick, or maybe another name and he had his freakin’ arm surgically removed to bring about fraud and riches untold. Oh, and he’s Caitlin’s dad, and that… that’s jaw dropping. Because now… there is no case for Yancy for investigate from a murder standpoint. Because there is no dead body, just a greedy jerk, that loves to commit murder and well… where we go from here is anyone’s guess and that is brilliant. Because now, we are in uncharted waters for this mystery, and everything that lies ahead will be exciting and new, and that includes Neville’s journey as well.

Because the curse has thus been a waste, and he’s so desperate to find peace through dark actions that he’s giving up everything to have it, and that’s dangerous. Especially since Christopher is a murderer and the Dragon Queen seems more interested in buying his faith. All of which… brought about one stunning episode. One that truly subverted the genre and took us down an incredible path that has us eager for more. Because we simply must know what comes next now that almost every loose end is gone and what Yancy will even pursue without murder in hand, and that is going to make the wait for next week’s episode quite difficult. For our desire for answers, and more of the wondrous moments this show sends our way… is strong. Until next time.

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