‘Poker Face’ Recap: ‘The Orpheus Syndrome’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

POKER FACE -- "The Orpheus Syndrome" Episode 108 -- Pictured: Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale -- (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Peacock)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Poker Face’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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For the most part, stories that revolve around the power of trauma and loss and its lasting impact upon us… tend to be positive in nature. For those stories understand that trauma can cause great harm and that if we are reading a story about it or watching a show or movie about it… that is likely because we are dealing with its impact and/or know someone who is, and we want this… to help with healing, to give us direction. So… they offer us a wonderful tale that truly examines how we emerge from those dark times, and that really does make for some wonderful and fulfilling storytelling. The kind that does guide us and give us hope that this too shall pass. But while those stories are indeed wonderful to enjoy and inspire us in a time of need, there is a slight problem with them.
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In that… they don’t always give us the complete picture of the power of trauma and loss. Because for every person that emerges from the darkness with newfound perspective, there are others who never escape its grasp. These are the folks… that disappear from the world and are avoided because they’re believed to be sour all because… their pain was too great to overcome and what’s problematic about not showing us this side of things… is that it sticks with the mantra that only happy endings exist in the world when that’s never the case. For not everyone’s path is perfect, and people do suffer and don’t need to be shunned when they do… they need kindness and closure, and more time to work out what aches in their heart, and sometimes, they need justice to help with that. If anything, this particular aspect of trauma and loss is top of mind today, simply because it served as the focus of the next episode of Poker Face on Peacock.

A feat that ‘The Orpheus Syndrome’ accomplishes by having Charlie Cale spend time with a gentle Hollywood legend. For Arthur was once of the finest visionary minds in the business and one of the best special effects guys around. But an unfortunate accident on the set of his directorial debut, prompted him to leave the business and never look back, and spend his days, doing odd work where he can and work upon his own project, one named after this episode. All because the ghosts of yesterday haunted him deeply and well… his untimely passing, prompts Charlie to explore how this could have happened so suddenly. Especially after spending time with an old friend and colleague named Laura and what Charlie will uncover, is a sorrowful truth about trauma and loss and how its lasting impact can transform us into something so much more. 

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POKER FACE -- "The Orpheus Syndrome" Episode 108 -- Pictured: Nick Nolte as Arthur -- (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Peacock)

Which really is the best way to explore the dark side of trauma. Since both Laura and Arthur are haunted by that terrible day. One that changed the course of their careers and their lives through and through and watching how they both respond to choices made and a life lost… leads to some powerful moments. The kind that informs us that trauma can indeed haunt a person and make them a shell of their former selves where they desperately try to reconcile it with minimal success. Or it can make a person an outright monster. The kind that will take the darkness of the moment and let it infect their soul and push them to do awful acts to feel nothing and keep that pain buried deep within the core of them. All of which helped to make it clear that showcasing this doesn’t insult the journey back from trauma but reinforces a need to address it and support others going through it, so they don’t lead lives akin to Laura and Arthur.
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Plus, this episode also allowed for Charlie to address her own recent brush with trauma and loss and process it to some degree. Since she too has been in need of that, and watching her work through it here was powerful and it was also wonderful to really come to understand… that working to solve these crimes and bring justice to so many, is helping her to slowly heal her own aching soul. Adding wonderful depth to her character, and an episode, that was just… a masterclass in storytelling. One that assembled this mystery in a uniquely compelling manner and paid homage to the horror films of the 1970s and 1980s and… paid incredible tribute to the classic mysteries of the same eras in a beautiful manner. Which was made possible by Alice Ju and Natasha Lyonne’s phenomenal script, and those words were beautifully brought to life by Natasha’s stunning work as the director of this episode as well.

In fact, she coaxed forth some incredible performances from the show’s most incredible cast to date. Since Cherry Jones (Laura), Nick Nolte (Arthur), Luis Guzmán (Raoul), and Tim Russ (Max) pop up here and deliver just an acting clinic, and for that matter… Natasha doesn’t miss a beat while on screen with them and shows off her skill set as well. All of which makes this, the show’s finest episode to date. Because it had everything. A juicy mystery, shout outs, acting to die for and a story that demands your attention from beginning to end. If anything, this just serves as a fine reminder as to how brilliant this series truly is and that its potential is endless and truly… this story is going to make the wait for next week’s mystery, as painful as can be. Simply because we need more of this magnificent series and all the incredible commentary and moments it has to offer. Until next time.

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POKER FACE -- "The Orpheus Syndrome" Episode 108 -- Pictured: Luis Guzmán as Raoul -- (Photo by: Karolina Wojtasik/Peacock)

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