‘Hightown’ Recap: ‘Good Times’

1/27/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Monica Raymund as Jackie Quiñones in Episode 301 of ‘Hightown’ – ‘Good Times’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three Premiere of ‘Hightown’. To revisit the Season Two Finale, click here.

It is definitely safe to say that humanity has a complicated relationship with the notion of change. After all, there are some people out there… who outright fear it. Despite the fact that change truly is a constant. But that doesn’t stop them from doing everything within their power to avoid it and keep it out of their lives. While others, simply don’t understand it. They have no idea that when it arrives in our lives that it is designed to send us a message, the kind that informs us we need to take this opportunity to alter and better ourselves or move in a different direction, and that applies to the other mental scenario we made mention of as well. All of which brings forth the problems we face and the cycles we find ourselves a part of.

But eventually, the majority of us come to understand the importance of change and changing ourselves when it comes our way, and we break the cycle, and well… this particular conundrum in our lives is top of mind today, simply because it was present in the season three premiere of Hightown on STARZ. For ‘Good Times’ saw a lot of change come into the lives of the folks on the Cape, that kind that did indeed hint that perhaps they should start thinking about embracing it and altering their course. But at this point in time… no one was listening to the winds of the universe. As evidenced by the fact that Osito was basically enjoying business as usual. For he found a new crew to roll with, was making that bread and didn’t think twice about the fact that he was granted a second chance and could have made a different path for himself.

The same went for Renee Segna, who also saw a lot of change come into her life. For she was away from the club. She basically got away with murder, and she was now a mother once again. Giving rise to a new start for her as well, one where she could enjoy a better tomorrow. But much like Osito, the pull of the life she thought she left behind was strong. For it gave her a strength and a freedom she certainly did not have in the present. Which in turn, prompted her to get out of the house and back into the club. Into some semblance of the life, she used to know, rather than play it straight. All because change was something she did not totally want to bear at this point in her life, and well, for the time being… there was peace in her mind. Even though deep down she knew, this was what she needed to leave behind.

James Badge Dale and Riley Voelkel as Ray Abruzzo and Renee Segna in Episode 301 of ‘Hightown’ – ‘Good Times’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

As for Jackie, well, despite having a slip up and still being able to hold onto a job that mattered plenty to her, giving her a second chance at finding the right path… she was instead trying to find a way to manage both her work life and her drug life. Which gave her a thrill and gave her a belief she could slowly control her addictions. All by taking the time to pay someone else on the force to handle her drug tests while she was going out and partying through and through. And of course, it didn’t help that Jackie was involved in a massive bust on Osito’s dealer while high to reinforce in her mind… that she could handle dual lives. When in reality, drug testing on the job was the universe’s way of telling her to buckle down and fix her problems. Not to mention, we’d be foolish to not point out that while Ray Abruzzo seemed to have embraced change for most of this tale, did we see another flicker of temptation regarding his libido regarding the new undercover officer that stepped into his office to receive her assignment?

Well, for now, everyone on these paths of resistant consistency, are in the clear with any trouble regarding it. How long it will stay that way is anyone’s guess. Because eventually the universe turns up the heat and makes it clear that this isn’t a magical reprieve, work is expected to be done and it would seem that heat is slowly turning up behind the scenes. After all, Frankie isn’t taking his return to jail lightly at all. In fact, he is going all out to put together some kind wild plan. Not to mention Alan, perhaps the only character in this series that does the right things when change comes calling, has some interesting leads in hand that could bring about trouble for some and of course… Jackie has stumbled upon some disturbing clues that dark things may have occurred during her blackout sessions, the kind that may come back to haunt her, depending upon what she uncovers.

All of which… is the perfect way to set the stage for a powerhouse final season. One where consequences for sour actions and ignorance will come into play. For this is a show that doesn’t shy away from causality. The only question that remains regarding that reality, is how badly the people we’ve come to know over the past three years will suffer for their transgressions and their desire to stay on a sour yet narrow path. Because in a final season, anything goes, and wild things can take place and that outright compels us to see this journey through. To learn who will embrace change at last and find a better way and see what becomes of those who will do everything within their power to stay the course, consequences be damned. Until next time.

Check out our interviews with Series Showrunner and Star Rebecca Cutter and Monica Raymund, and Cast Members, Atikns Estimond and Dohn Norwood and James Badge Dale and Riley Voelkel, to learn about what ‘Hightown’ and its three-year journey has meant to all of them.

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