Written by John Edward Betancourt GROSSE POINTE GARDEN SOCIETY -- "Companion Planting" Episode 103 -- Pictured: (l-r) Josh Ventura as Connor, Ben Rappaport as Brett -- (Photo by: Mark Hill/NBC)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
One particular question we ask often in this life, is what causes people to go from everyday citizens to bloodthirsty murders? Simply because time and time again, we see stories on the six o’clock news or on social media… about every day average people that somehow, some way, snap and commit to the worst act possible, and that doesn’t make sense. Because we’ve been taught to believe that murder is a cruel act, one that is always born of something negative in a heated moment or is cold and calculated and born from a monster forged through trauma, and everyday citizens simply are not that and harbor a level head. But… there is a rhyme and a reason to why ‘normal’ folks will choose to murder. It could be related to money problems, shame, and a host of other reasons. One of which was explored during last night’s episode of Grosse Pointe Garden Society on NBC. For ‘Companion Planting’ took the time to deeply explore, how marginalization can be a big foundational reason to push a person to do horrible things, and that fits this story to a tee. Because everyone that is now a suspect, has been marginalized in some form or fashion. For instance, despite trying to be a decent mom in this story, and teach her son some worthwhile lessons, and save the day when a bee sting prompted an allergic reaction, Birdie was sidelined by Joel and Misty and berated and pushed into the void where no one wants to be. Which wounded and angered her, and it only got worse from there. After all, despite coming clean to Tucker, Christine’s confession was basically shoved aside. Which shocked her to no end. Since she really expected to be punished and held to account. But Tucker said nothing, did nothing… and even when she tried to see what he did to elicit such apathy, she came up with nothing. She was just told that this was about not paying attention to one another, and while that gave her a little peace… she still felt in many ways as though she was sidelined here regarding a life changing confession and shoved back into the role that prompted infidelity to begin with. Not to mention, Brett was also shoved aside here by Connor. Who went to great lengths to ensure that Brett was unable to do anything as a father. Including teaching his kids how to fish, something he really wanted to make generational in nature. Because Connor wanted that dad role and that left Brett feeling empty.  GROSSE POINTE GARDEN SOCIETY -- "Companion Planting" Episode 103 -- Pictured: (l-r) Aja Naomi King as Catherine, AnnaSophia Robb as Alice, Melissa Fumero as Birdie, Ben Rappaport as Brett -- (Photo by: Mark Hill/NBC)
However, the centerpiece of what lays down the foundation for harm, came forth via Alice. Because she actually took Doug to couples counseling over the whole mess regarding Molly, and straight up pulled out the gun and the bullet in front of him and their new therapist. To confront him and demand he confess to murder. But he denied that, and instead spoke to how his role in Molly’s demise, related to how the fence latch was broken, and that not tending to it quick enough, led to Molly’s escape. But Alice was so hellbent on being seen, being heard, of experiencing justice for this… that she pushed even further. To the point where Doug left her, despite the fact that the fence was indeed broken and unlatched, and despite an apology for going too far. But all of that spoke to a genuine fury over being forgotten, of being sidelined and well… that clearly has translated into something hideous down the line.
For we spent a little more time than usual in the future. To really showcase the darkness in everyone’s hearts, following the murder of Quiche. Especially from Brett. Since there was the discovery that someone was watching them when they tried to move Quiche to an alternate site, one that Birdie would occupy. And that person stayed on Brett and prompted him to resort to threats and violence to discover that he was being tailed by a private investigator. Who was supposed to find dirt on Brett for Connor and Melissa, and that act… was all he needed to prompt Melissa to keep the kids in hand and file for full custody. A devastating move for certain. But clearly, Brett and his friends have all now crossed some serious moral lines because of that fateful night. Which exists, because of what we saw here. Because being marginalized like this, amplifies emotions and wants that go unheard, and when the desire to be seen, heard and feel something grows too great… bad things happen, and that made for a powerful story. One that is sweetly assembling the ‘why’ before the reveal. But make no mistake about it, it is offering up little nuggets of truth along the way. Since we know that Gary isn’t the corpse in the garden, and we are so close to learning a real name. All because this series is not resting and over-teasing, it’s moving us toward that fateful day in a brilliant manner. Through a powerful exploration of corruption through marginalization and it will be fascinating to see how the foundation is settled for the crime that is to come, as season one rolls along. Until next time. Watch ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
April 2025
|
RSS Feed