‘Hightown’ Recap: ‘Behind Every Skirt Is a Slip’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘Hightown’.
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Often times in storytelling, the consequences of a person’s actions are explored in a supremely unique manner. Wherein the audience watches the consequences in question unfold in real time, allowing for a visceral and comprehensive experience to take place, the kind that teaches both the character and the viewer the importance of thinking before we do something dumb, so that we don’t inflict emotional harm upon others. But while that definitely makes for an engaging and thoughtful journey, it is unique simply because… that’s not how we learn that lesson in real life. Instead, we learn it through internal dialogue and guilt and remorse from our actions, which is in fact… quite difficult to properly express in print or on screen, since it requires very specific thoughts and actions. But believe it or not, that kind of intimate exploration is possible in storytelling and for proof, look no further than this week’s episode of Hightown on STARZ. Since ‘Behind Every Skirt Is a Slip’ figured out a way to express the painful internal experience that comes forth when we make mistakes in life, and it accomplished this feat by taking us on a special journey with two key characters, Jackie and Renee.

In fact, let’s start with Jackie’s journey first, since Monica Raymund used her incredible acting skills to express the worry and the panic that comes forth when we screw up in a subtle yet powerful manner, by showing us that Jackie was badly rattled by her actions in the last episode. To the point where her anxiety over losing Leslie and Ed’s trust, left her pondering up returning to substance abuse. An act she might commit to in fact, as evidenced by the end of this episode. But what matters more here, is that Jackie’s journey perfectly encapsulates how making mistakes puts us on edge, since her actions were quite relatable. For we too ask for forgiveness like Jackie did here when we goof and try to reconcile and understand why someone gives us the cold shoulder in a budding relationship gone wrong and that really did make for some powerful moments, the kind that properly expressed those feelings without having to spoon feed us a lesson and the wonder of this, didn’t end there.

For Renee’s journey took the time to explore the anxiety that comes about when we know that greater consequences await our actions and how that can drive us to do whatever we must, to feel safe and secure and well, obviously, her anxiety stemmed from the fallout of killing Jorge. Because she knew if she wasn’t careful, the truth would be exposed to Frankie, and he would likely do something horrific to her, and that lack of safety and the panic that accompanies that… is what drove her back into Ray’s arms in this tale. For he gave her that sense of safety and stability and a possible future for that matter as well since she’s carrying his child, and it was just fascinating to see this play out in such an intimate manner. Since we too have taken part in these actions when we’ve done something we regret, and really the show deserves serious credit for taking the time to offer up these relatable and powerful moments since they genuinely struck a chord and helped us to feel what Jackie and Renee were feeling.

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Yet as this series is wont to do, it made a point to look at the flip side of this as well. For there are some people who simply don’t learn anything worthwhile from their mistakes and actually double down when consequences arrive because they believe they know best or feel they have nothing to lose. Which was expressed via Charmaine in this tale. For shortly after getting back from New York with fresh product and holiday gifts for her sister, disaster struck. Because she needed to meet with Frankie over how upset she was over Jorge’s ghosting of her, and while she was out doing that, her sister got her hands on the goods and overdosed right there. Which gave Alan an in since Charmaine was decent enough to turn Aileen’s body over to the hospital. But alas, when Alan had the chance to confront her and give her a way out of the life at last… she doubled down and blamed the police for her problems, putting her on quite the tragic path for certain. Which is a plot thread that easily hammered home its point.
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However, while those three plot lines would have been enough to carry this episode through and through, there were still more nuggets revolving around consequences to explore. For instance, Osito may or may not have crossed a line and brought about more trouble for himself by buying his therapist a new car. Since that will indeed put scrutiny upon him since she is all about playing by the rules and there might be more consequences in store for Renee’s actions as well. Since Ray isn’t one hundred percent sold on her desire to be with him. To the point where he tailed her and caught her in a lie, and he even went so far as to put a tracking device on her car. Leaving one to wonder if by chance… he’s using this to his advantage and playing her like she played him to get back on the force and to close the book on Renee in the most poetic manner possible. But while we wait to see if that is indeed the case, we can bask in the wonder of a simply brilliant episode of this series.

Because let’s be honest, you just don’t see consequences explored in such an intimate manner in storytelling. For there is a real risk that this could go wrong on screen or in print and confuse the viewer or leave them uncomfortable with moments that just seem over the top. But the fine writing and acting here really did sell this and it really did offer up a fresh twist on the ‘fallout’ episode since there was no danger to be found here. Just worry and panic and a slow build toward a Frankie related explosion. For eventually, Jorge’s bloated body will be found at the airport, and it will be a scary day when it does since Frankie will want revenge. And the endless possibilities of what could happen when that day arrives, alongside everything else we discussed in this recap, really does leave us eager for more of this incredible series. Because it really is building toward something big and if this episode’s creativity is any indication of what’s to come, then we are going to be treated to a jaw-dropping and game changing, finale. Until next time.

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