‘Hightown’ Recap: ‘29 Days Later’

2/24/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Monica Raymund as Jackie Quiñones in Episode 305 of ‘Hightown’ – ’29 Days Later’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Hightown’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere.

When it comes to the end of a story, be in print or on the silver or small screen, each of us have an expectation regarding what we want to see resolved. For some, it’s all about the plot, and those folks have to know how a complex story will come to its end. For others, it’s about experiencing something epic in nature, for the story has established that it is going out with a bang and people must experience that breathtaking conclusion through and through. But sometimes… we are eager to reach the end, simply because… we want to see what will become of the characters. Of how their journeys will conclude and well… that’s precisely why so many of us are eager to see where the final season of Hightown on STARZ will take us.

Because it is the characters that inhabit the Cape, that have captivated us the most. For these are individuals that we have connected with on some fundamental level because they are as flawed as we are and we in some form or fashion, have shared in their struggles, or know someone who has. Which invests us in their journeys and has left us all of us wondering how their journeys will end, especially with consequences for their actions now coming to fruition and well, it would seem the next episode in this majestic and groundbreaking saga, may be hinting at what paths the heroes and villains of the Cape are planning to walk as this series wraps up. A feat that ’29 Days Later’ accomplished… by having the worst-case scenario take place.

In that, out of the blue, Frankie Cuevas was released from jail. After all, there was nothing left for him to be held on, and that allowed for him to walk and that brought forth… a firestorm of trouble. The kind that saw Osito ponder deeply upon his next steps. Because he survived that prior attack, and while he was in the hospital, he came to learn that his operation was all but done. Which meant, he had a decision to make. Stay the path, fight, and build, or perhaps get away with his love and enjoy the time he had left, in a battered fashion yes, since he was now down an eye… but he would live. Which… just wasn’t enough for him. Because he needed agency, he needed to be atop the heap and that led him to an old friend, a second chance, and a hint… that his ending might be mired in darkness, and he wasn’t alone.

Amaury Nolasco as Frankie Cuevas in Episode 305 of ‘Hightown’ – ’29 Days Later’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Because with Frankie on the streets, Renee was terrified, and rightfully so. After all, Frankie has never been known for offering grace and mercy to anyone that has crossed him, and he hinted at harm here. By taking the time to visit Renee at her place of work, and letting her know that punishment was coming, and to ensure its arrival… he made sure to throw some nuggets Alan’s way. All of which, finally brought Renee and Ray to a place of raw honesty. Because she needed to confess, and well… so did he, and in that moment… they had a chance to figure out a better path. One where Ray could find emotional fulfilment and actual peace to stop relying on sex to heal him, and where Renee could finally have her clean break. But this duo instead held onto each other, and the toxic emotions they provide one another, giving rise to real worry about their fates as well.

However, while it was sobering to know that so many characters may be headed down a dark path, there’s hope for some in this story. After all, Alan remains as honest and vigilant as ever and Jackie Quiñones… is a reformed officer. For she finished her time in rehab, and this time… she took everything that was sent her way seriously. Because she knew, she had to embrace positive change in her life. Or darker days were ahead, and she no longer wanted that. So, she stayed clean, and did some fine work because of it. To the point where she is ready to work a case that will offer justice for so many, and not just satisfy Jackie’s emotional needs. Giving rise to real hope for Jackie and a sense that her ending, might be the best one of all.

That is provided of course… this series doesn’t surprise us in the final two episodes that await, and that is quite possible. For life throws curveballs, the kind that once again prompt us to look at our decisions and make changes as needed or put us promptly back into the world of old haunts. But clearly, the endgame is being assembled now and there is real danger back on the Cape with Frankie on the loose, and that, and the framework for endings that was assembled here… made for one important tale. One that informed us the end is indeed nigh and we should be prepared for anything and everything. Because realistic characters only come from shows that resemble the realities of life, and just as it is in our world, anything can happen on the cape, and it has… and it will be fascinating to see who will enjoy salvation and who will wallow in misery, when this three-year journey comes to a close. Until next time.

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