Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Sprung’.
More often than not, stories that revolve around a former prisoner that has been released after a long stint in prison, are quite bleak and retrospective in nature and rightfully so. After all, getting out of prison is quite the big deal. Where the former criminal must now reintegrate into a world they don’t understand while reconciling the impact of the devastating crime they committed back in the day. But while that leads to some powerful storytelling, the kind that ponders deeply upon the impact of our actions and how crime doesn’t pay… it’s not an accurate look at the release process or life after prison. Since not everyone that gets out committed a horrible crime, nor are they in need of deep introspective moments. Sometimes, folks that made an honest mistake have to figure out who they want to be in the next chapter in their lives when they get out, and it just so happens, that a brand-new show on Amazon Freevee focuses upon just that. For ‘Sprung’ is a story that introduces us to a couple of ex-convicts named Jack and Rooster, who in 2020, find themselves kicked out of the slammer during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Which leaves Jack without a place to live or an idea of where to go since he was let out four years prior to the end of his thirty-year sentence. But thankfully, an act of kindness from Rooster’s mom, Barb, gives Jack and another convict, Gloria, a place to stay. Wherein Jack can figure out what kind of man he wants to be now and that leads… to quite the refreshing tale. Because as the days progress and Jack gains perspective on a scary new world he is unfamiliar with in ‘Chapter One & Chapter Two’, he comes to realize… this is his chance to do some genuine good on the flip side of his sentence. Which in turn motivates him to lead this group to commit crimes, that make bad people pay. Because they’re not doing anything worthwhile for the good people of the world, so why not teach them the right kind of lesson? Which leads to some decent paydays and some wonderful moments. Since Jack also gives back and does the right thing, giving rise to a different kind of post-prison story. One that genuinely gives us a reformed criminal that is something of a modern-day Robin Hood and what makes this series even more unique and worth our while… is the fact that it is as funny as they come. For at its core, this series is a comedy through and through and it delivers on the jokes as well. In part by way of the capers that this team takes on. Since one crime involves teaching a toilet paper hoarder a valuable lesson in humility and the other in this two-part premiere, involves making a pair of crooked veterinarians, that are offering up fake Covid-19 testing to just line their pockets, pay the piper. And the shenanigans that ensure there are just a real treat, as are the characters. Since they’re all plucky and fun and have the perfect quirky personalities to fit this special type of story. But truly, Martha Plimpton does steal the show here as Barb, since her special brand of goofy sass and take no crap mentality, leads to some of the show’s finest comedic moments, and she is wonderfully balanced by Garret Dillahunt’s dry comedy chops here. Of course, we’d also be remiss to not give a shout to Phillip Garcia (Rooster) and Shakira Barrera (Gloria) for their fine acting as well since they too play along well with the jokes and keep us in stitches. But all incredible acting aside, what matters most about this series… is that it is supremely original and refreshing. Because it is a post-prison story unlike any other out there, and it is timely and relevant and just downright fun, and it draws you in with that aforementioned acting and the wondrous scenarios that our heroes take part in since the world is crying out for people to stick it to the jerks that are getting away with whatever they want right now. Which is a testament to writer/director Greg Garcia’s fine work behind the camera and well… it is simply going to be a true treat to spend our next few Fridays, plunging ourselves into this dynamic and wonderful world, where real redemption rules the day. Until next time.
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