‘Big Sky’ Recap: ‘Keys to the Kingdom’

Written by Emily Auskaps

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 216 of ‘Big Sky’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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This episode brings to bear the resulting chaos that stems from deception and treachery. Travis confronts Jenny in her home, telling her that Veer Bhullar wants her dead, trying to convince her to back off or at least tread more lightly with the Bhullars. She instead tries to convince him that it’s time for him to get out while it’s still possible to do so. Neither is swayed by the other’s argument, and they are left at an impasse.

Jenny’s confidential informant proves to be none too smooth trying to get information for her. Bryce is caught, nearly red handed at Tonya’s desk when she arrives for work at the Bhullar Development office that morning. They are quickly distracted by a strange and creepy visit from Richard Ford, still on a mission to avenge his son’s death. Richard wants to talk to one of the Bhullar family, but Bryce shows Richard the gun on his hip and encourages him to leave the premises, much to Tonya’s relief.

Veer’s girlfriend Alicia offers to speak with the sheriff’s department on the Bhullars behalf to Ren and Jag. Ever full of surprises, Alicia informs them that she is a lawyer. Her meeting with Tubb and Jenny successfully instills fear of a lawsuit and scrutiny over the warrant used to raid the Bhullar property. Tubb and Jenny realize they are running out of time to nail the Bhullars. Tubb asks Jenny to further press her C.I., Bryce.

Bryce is clearly buckling under the pressure of being a confidential informant when he meets Jenny at a gas station to give her the shipping manifest, he was able to swipe from Tonya’s desk. Bryce is quick to defend Tonya and downplay her involvement with the Bhullars, but Jenny informs him that Tonya has made her choice to join them.

At home to feed his recently rescued cat, Tubb is confronted by Richard at gunpoint. Richard demands the name and address of one of the Bhullars. Tubb tries to reason with him and talk him down. When that seems to be failing, Tubb lunges at Richard and they struggle for the gun. It goes off, hitting Tubb in his side. Richard at least calls for an ambulance before fleeing the property.
           
​With Tubb in surgery, Jenny will oversee the manhunt for Richard Ford. She encourages everyone to give the effort their very best on behalf of Sheriff Tubb, for whom they are all concerned. As she gazes sadly into Tubb’s office, she receives a text message from Bryce saying that he has something and asks to meet in an hour.

Jenny waits for Bryce at the gas station they met at previously, but he fails to show. Bryce has made the fateful mistake to first stop by the Bhullar’s office to meet Tonya. Tonya, clad in the expensive leather jacket just gifted to her by Ren, confronts Bryce about going through her desk and taking the shipping manifest. He refuses to confess, though not at all convincingly, before Donno appears, gun in hand, from another room. Tearfully, Bryce admits to being arrested and agreeing to help Jenny Hoyt as her confidential informant. Tonya seems forgiving as she embraces Bryce in hug, but instead she stabs him, killing him quickly. Tonya’s continuing transformation is revealed as she marvels to Donno that she thought that would be harder. “Some people are just naturals”, is his reply.

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As Jenny waits at the gas station for Bryce, she gets a call from Cassie. The Ford family had consented to having their phones monitored by Dewell and Hoyt to assist in finding Richard. However, what is revealed is a pattern of strange, coded messages sent and received by his wife, Mona. As Mona’s friend, Cassie wants Jenny to join her when they meet.

​Mona tries to deflect the questions from Jenny and Cassie, but Jenny implores her that they need to know everything if they are going to find Richard before he hurts anyone else. Mona confesses to a painkiller addiction, stemming from injuries sustained being bucked off her horse. Mona blames herself for her son Mason’s death, but Jenny and Cassie quickly dismiss that. Mona is afraid to face her husband as he had no knowledge of her addiction, she asks if he needs to know. They tell her it may be the only way to get through to Richard.

Ren and Jag meet in the lab to discuss business. Ren wants Jag to confront Veer over the cut drugs and other things. Jag scoffs that short of getting struck by lightning, nothing will change their father. Ren seems to have an epiphany then, telling Jag the only solution is to replace their father as the person in charge. Jag tells her they’d have to force him out. Jag quickly warms to the idea of finally being out from under Veer. They agree that their father’s time has ended, and that Jag must be the one to take care of it.

Lindor returns to Dewell and Hoyt from a deposition with a fire lit under him. Lindor has a solid lead on the whereabouts of Scarlet and Phoebe. They were spotted on a bank camera in the panhandle of Idaho. Lindor intends to waste no time going after them, so Jerrie insists on joining him so he’s not alone.

Travis finds Ren and Jag remapping all the shipping routes. Ren informs Travis that Tonya had found a C.I. in their midst. Travis offers to press Bryce for information, but Ren informs him that Tonya has already killed him, to Travis’ surprise. Ren tells him she will now need him to team with Tonya and Donno to work out all the new distribution details.

As Travis walks away from the house, he calls Jenny to quickly tell her that her C.I. is now dead. Headlights approach so Travis cuts the call. He approaches the driver side window to find Richard Ford and his gun. Richard informs Travis that he’s there to meet Veer Bhullar.

Things are left in a tenuous place. Veer’s reign over the Bhullar cartel is clearly threatened, but Alicia is quite the resourceful ally to him. Richard’s vengeful mission will continue at least for the foreseeable future and Travis is walking a razor’s edge with Ren. The investigation into the Bhullars is now wrought with the threat of a lawsuit and damage to Tubb’s career, although his survival is the only current concern. And in case things were too mellow, one can only guess what will happen if Lindor and Jerrie successfully find Scarlet.

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