‘Blindspotting’ Recap: ‘By Hook or By Crook’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Blindspotting’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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​There are a great many reasons to love the STARZ series, Blindspotting. After all. It is a quality continuation of the 2018 film, one that retains the film’s intelligence and depth. In fact, that is another reason to love this series so. Since it continues to speak to many of the problems we deal with in our modern world and offers musings as to what perhaps we can do to enact change. Plus, it is also a lot of fun and it is visually stunning. Courtesy of incredible dance numbers that move us in ways we never knew that dance could. Not to mention, this is that rare story that understands the balance of life. How there are meaningful moments and dark ones and beautiful ones as well, and it just so happens to express that through its storytelling and for proof… look no further than this week’s episode.
 
For ‘By Hook or By Crook’ is a story that slipped back into the show’s more relaxed style of storytelling, after spending a week digging deep into some of the more difficult moments that really happen in American households. A move designed to respect that episode through and through and to indeed reflect our everyday lives. For not every single day is spent full of reflection. The rest feature fun and sometimes sorrow and struggles and epiphanies abound and two of those elements were put on display in this story. Courtesy of two unique storylines that were intertwined as are so many moments in our lives. One of which, involved Cuddie and Jacque. For Halloween was featured in this tale and Jacque was going to use a costume party at her parent’s house to introduce her love to the family.
 
Which should have been a simple act and led to a simple evening. But since Trish wanted her lady back in a shady manner, she used a family secret to set up some sabotage. For Jacque’s dad was Dante Basco. The man who played Rufio in the hit motion picture, Hook, and he didn’t like it when Jacque’s partners fanboyed over that fact. So, Trish made sure that Cuddie was dressed like a pirate to oust him from Jacque’s life and that led… to one of the funniest moments in the franchise to date. Because Dante did indeed get fired up over the fact that Cuddie looked like a Captain Hook groupie and that brought forth a grand duel, one that saw Dante and Cuddie duke it out Lost Boys style, complete with camera work that would make Steven Spielberg proud and an ending that didn’t give Trish what she wanted. Because eventually everyone came to common ground and mutual respect, through Jacque’s declaration of love, meaning there would be no breakup.
 
However, while Jacque dealt with those bangarang shenanigans, everyone else was handling those aforementioned epiphanies at the boardwalk. For there was a grand Halloween celebration taking place there. One that saw Trish take part in some questionable acts to ensure everyone got on the rides quickly and where… Earl and Janelle were finally able to being the reconciliation process. Because they were on sour terms following Earl’s arrest and release, and really didn’t talk about the deep connection they shared. But at long last... they made progress on such matters while inside a spooky funhouse, courtesy of the fact they finally realized that they cared deeply for each other and shared a powerful connection and they needed to express that fact and heal their friendship. And that led to some meaningful moments for certain, the kind that might finally see these two explore that connection and where it can take them. If Janelle stops texting her ex-hubby.
 
As for Trish and Ashley, their epiphanies were a touch more sobering. Simply because, they finally started to focus on the emotions and truths they were hiding from the world.  For Trish finally spoke to the reality that Jacque had stolen her heart and she didn’t know how to reconcile that or properly communicate her love. She just knew how to handle it in a childish manner and was paying the price now accordingly. Since Jacque was getting closer and closer to Cuddie instead of her. And Ashley. Well. She finally heard aloud the word that spoke to what she was experiencing… depression. Which opened her eyes in a big way in this tale. Because she simply thought she was experiencing a tough stretch. But that word did indeed describe her struggles and her pain and opened her eyes to the reality that some serious work was ahead for her. 
 
All of which provided us with a slice of life episode. One that truly did remind us of the fact that life is filled to the brim with all kinds of unique moments. Such as those highs that are fun and joyous and thrilling. Especially if you get to duke it out with freakin’ Rufio, and it also reminded us that life is also filled with moments of connection and understanding and of course… harsh truths and well, it was just amazing to experience all of this in a singular episode. Simply because television often has a laser focus these days, on life related topics. So being able to experience all that the world has to offer with characters that we relate to and care for, really is a special experience, and truly, the revelations present here leave us eager for more. So, we can take part in more powerful experiences and moments with Ashley and her friends and family, as they continue to navigate the Ordeal that is the human condition. Until next time.

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