‘Poker Face’ Recap: ‘Dead Man’s Hand’, ‘The Night Shift’, ‘The Stall’, & ‘Rest in Metal’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

POKER FACE -- “Dead Man's Hand” Episode 101 -- Pictured: Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale -- (Photo by: Phillip Caruso/Peacock)

It is definitely safe to say, that crime dramas and murder mysteries on television are in a strange place right now. Because while they are incredibly popular and beloved by audiences everywhere, the genre simply isn’t challenging itself. It’s playing it safe and sticking with the stuff that audiences know and love. Which isn’t a bad thing by any means, because a lot of these shows are indeed engaging and intense and entertaining through and through. But genres do indeed need to challenge themselves and push the envelope to keep things fresh and to keep the wonder in our hearts, otherwise they quickly fade onto the backburner for a little while. But thankfully, the arrival of a new murder mystery series on Peacock accomplishes the growth and challenge the genre needs and that makes Poker Face quite the revolutionary series. 

Simply because, it reinvents the genre while at the same time paying tribute to what makes it great, and it accomplishes this feat by introducing us to a supremely unique investigator of the truth, a one Charlie Cale. And what makes her so unique, is that… she is not a traditional gumshoe in the slightest. For she has no training in dealing with crime nor is she even a member of law enforcement. She is simply… a lost soul trying to live her life to the fullest, one that harbors an incredible gift that helps her bring justice to the world, and when we catch up with her in ‘Dead Man’s Hand’, a horrible incident involving a close friend of hers, allows for us to learn what that unique talent is. As it turns out, Charlie has the ability to just know when someone is lying to her, and regardless of how hard someone tries to keep the truth from her… they simply cannot.
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Which is a gift that gets her in a lot of trouble in this premiere, the kind that puts her on the road and that alone is quite original in nature. As is the fact that Charlie’s quest for justice isn’t bound by some kind of horrific trauma or a grizzled desire to make the world right from witnessing or experiencing a wrong. She simply believes that the truth matters and should be expressed, and it just so happens that she ends up solving big crimes out of that belief and that… is simply incredible. Because it makes Charlie, a pure hero of sorts, one that really does want to stick up for the little guy for no reason outside of… what’s fair is fair and what’s right is right and that is genuinely refreshing to find in a murder mystery and what’s amazing, is that the majesty of this series doesn’t end with Charlie. 

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POKER FACE -- “Rest in Metal” Episode 104 -- Pictured: (l-r) John Darnielle as Al, Chloë Sevigny as Ruby Ruin, G.K. Umeh as Eskie -- (Photo by: Sara Shatz/Peacock)

Because being on the road allows for Charlie and the audience, to experience unique corners of America and equally as unique cases for her to solve. The kind that are refreshing and original as the title character but never stray from what we love about murder mysteries. Which means the crimes we see are committed out of acts of jealousy and greed and the other dark elements of the human condition that make us crave justice. But what surrounds that core element, are original concepts and are quite surprising in nature and they captivate you through and through since you’re dying to know how Charlie is going to bring the crook to justice and even those solutions, are different than we normally expect from these shows.
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All of which makes for an incredible experience, one that engages the viewer and delights since you are plunged into incredible corners of the world and cases that dazzle and wow and what’s even more incredible… is that there is still more to celebrate from this series. Because in order for a series like this to work, you need great acting. To sell the crime, to draw us into a new world and story, and that is present here in spades. Courtesy of some top-tier guest stars such as Adrien Brody, Chloë Sevigny, John Ratzenberger, Lil Rel Howery, and Benjamin Bratt… and that’s just the folks that show up in the first four episodes. But each one of them bring stunning gravitas and depth to their roles and immerse us further and they are all complimented by the star of the series, Natasha Lyonne. Who plays Charlie of course, and she is simply incredible in the role. For she is the reason that Charlie is so pure and wholesome in nature and those elements and the vulnerability that Natasha also brings to the role, is what has us rooting for her every step of the way.

If anything, this is must-see television through and through and the show is… a perfect murder mystery. Which should come as no surprise since Rian Johnson is the mastermind behind this whole series and no one approaches murder mysteries quite like he does. But it is also perfect because it is so accessible. For this is a series that has something for everyone. Courtesy of its flawless tension, well-timed humor, and compelling cases that you emotionally invest within, and the best news of all, is that you can experience the wonder of this show right now. For the first four episodes are available to stream on Peacock and what’s amazing, is that four episodes are simply not enough to satisfy. For this is the best murder mystery series to hit the airwaves in ages, and it will absolutely leave you desperate for more of Charlie Cale and her grand fight to keep the truth and what’s right at the forefront of the world and truly, it will be fascinating to see what other incredible cases and characters await her… as she continues her long and winding journey on the road. Until next time.

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Gallery of ‘Poker Face’ Guest Stars