‘Big Sky’ Recap: ‘The Big Rick’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Big Sky’.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked a lot about formula in regard to the new ABC series, Big Sky, and understandably so. Simply because this dynamic crime/thriller has done a phenomenal job of shaking free of all of the tropes and formulas that this genre tends to operate within. Which has made for one fascinating ride for certain, one that has allowed for the dynamic characters that populate this rich world, and the story for that matter as well, to operate in a manner that actually manages to surprise the audience and keep them guessing and wouldn’t you know it? This series is showing no signs of letting up when it comes to its desire to shake things up in this genre. 
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Because last night’s episode of the series opted to do abandon another common formula present within crime stories, specifically… the slow burn approach to solving the crime in question. For often times, stories in this vein, where someone has been kidnapped and the heroes have no clue what to do find those in captivity; take their time in getting to the finish line. Which makes sense, since a slow approach allows for the audience to really get to know the hero (or heroes) of the story and come to properly understand the madness of the villain (or villains). And it allows for incredible tension to build in the background so that a heart-pounding finale can take place. But ‘The Big Rick’ opted to flip the script on this formula, by offering up one intense tale. One where everyone in the story opted to avoid inaction and go for broke in every sense of the phrase and that led to some fascinating and powerful moments for certain.

The kind that allowed for danger and tension to permeate this tale from beginning to end and really, it was Jenny Hoyt’s journey that kicked off the high-octane approach of this story. Because she was done with waiting and posturing and planning. She wanted answers on the whereabouts of Cody and the girls and that motivated her to swing by the mysterious church that Cody was originally planning on going to. And what made this so tense, is the sheer fact that we didn’t have a clue as to whether or not the folks at this church were friendly or possible allies of Rick and Ronald and thankfully, they were the former. For they didn’t seem too fond of Rick and his antics and they were eager to open up their security footage to Jenny, in order to remove themselves from the equation of this nightmare. And while that didn’t offer Jenny any resolution in regard to her problems, it was nice to see one of the heroes of this story take action and not wait around for clues to magically pop up. 

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But while that made for some compelling television for certain, since it did help us to understand that Jenny is going to be relentless in her quest to find these girls and uncover the truth about her husband; it was the captive girls and their journey that truly took this story to a whole new level. Because Grace was done with waiting as well and decided the time had come to try make an escape happen on her own, and thanks to her determination and ingenuity; not only was she able to free herself and her sister and Danielle from their chains… but she figured a way out of the trailer, and a way out of the farmhouse as well. And what made this so refreshing , is that you rarely see a victim in crime related stories, display this kind of fight or creativity in formulating an escape plan, since they are often times too afraid to fight back or in some kind of horrible position where they simply cannot do so. 
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However, while it was wonderful to see Grace put Ronald in a precarious and dangerous situation and watch her evade Rick in the Montana countryside for a better part of the hour, sometimes formula is unavoidable and necessary in a story such as this and that’s why no one should be surprised that it came into play at the very end of this particular tale. Because Rick and Ronald are horrible human beings, the kind that deserve to feel fear and worry over their actions, and the only way to make that happen is to have their world come crashing down around them, and having Jenny and Cassie continue to put the pressure on them would definitely help in making that happen. Which is why it makes sense that Grace was eventually captured and returned to the trailer. But all predictability aside, make no mistake about it, this was an outstanding episode when all is said and done.

Because once again, this story was all about the tension and the fear and the danger and that’s just rare in a big budget crime story and it is thankfully bringing forth some original, and sometimes supremely terrifying, storytelling. If anything, it just goes to show that a crime/thriller story can in fact assault the senses of the audience and still tell a compelling and engrossing tale, one filled with character development, since we are seeing that happen in small increments as this harrowing tale continues along and truly this show leaves you hungry for more. Because at this point, we still have no idea how this story is going to end and that compels the viewer to continue this unsettling journey. In part to see what kinds of surprises and formula breaking twists await us down the line, but more so, to finally see Rick and Ronald pay for the horrible things they've done to so many innocent women. Until next time.

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