‘Sugar’ Recap: ‘Shibuya Crossing’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Colin Farrell as John Sugar in Episode 103 of ‘Sugar’ – ‘Shibuya Crossing’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Sugar’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
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There are a great many elements that go into making a truly magnificent mystery television series. For starters, the show needs to have a dynamic and fascinating lead investigator. Someone that is intelligent and thoughtful and the audience can connect with. Plus, they need to be shockingly good at their job, so there is a sense of awe surrounding their journey. And of course, they need to handle some tough cases that keep us guessing. But above all, the show must do more than engage us with a good mystery. It has to captivate us, shock us and truly send our imagination racing at the possibilities and this is why the new Apple TV+ series, Sugar, is of note.

Simply because this show harbors all of those elements, since John Sugar is all of those things, we must know more about Olivia’s case and well… this week’s episode added that extra layer of mystery we just made mention of. One that truly has us guessing a day later. A feat that ‘Shibuya Crossing’ accomplished, by offering up a bevy of answers regarding why Olivia has gone missing. Which John came to learn, through a harrowing encounter with the men that barricaded themselves in Teresa’s home. For they also baited Melanie there as well, and after he rescued everyone, he came to discover… that the leader of the merry band of thugs that brought forth trouble, a fellow named Stallings, wanted information about Clifford. Who as it turned out, died at the hands of Olivia for bringing harm to Carmen and Melanie of course… helped Olivia hide any evidence of her crime and just like that… Olivia was gone.

Which of course, doesn’t answer any questions regarding her whereabouts or why she is still radio silent. But this did offer up a bigger picture, a messy one no less. But with Stallings licking his wounds and with some truth in hand, John was able to enjoy a little downtime with Ruby and other cohorts in his business. Which brought about… grand mystery surrounding John and his job really. Because this collection of private investigators, enjoyed some very unique and strange interactions with one another, wherein they expressed how they were all deeply obsessed with quality sleep and the human condition. Not to mention, they kept diaries that Ruby reviewed with them, and well… lots of questions came out of this. Such as who they are, why they exist and why there needs to be a network of them in this life.

Not to mention… we now have a lot of questions regarding, where Ruby’s loyalties lie. Because she was in a hurry in this story to keep all secrets regarding Stallings deeply buried beneath the sands of the Earth. And she wanted to steer John clear of him, even though he is clearly related to the very case that John is invested in. Which of course, brings more questions to bear and truly engages us like never before. Because this writer is hard pressed to think of another private investigator story where this kind of strange society of them existed, and where a support network did the opposite, and all of that is worth the price of admission for this episode, and truly tasks you to continue the journey and see what lies ahead. Well, that, and the ending of this tale, as well. 

Mainly because Davy and Kenny went the extra mile to uncover some truth about Sugar. Even going so far as using romantic connections to a member of the government to learn about him and hopefully use that to their advantage. Which should have added for real tension, since these men were headed to Arizona to meet with John’s mother. But with the shocking revelation that John is part of something bigger, one must wonder if they’ll find nothing or a dark surprise. But while we wait to learn more, we can celebrate one brilliant tale. Because just like that… we are deeply engaged in John’s journey and his secrets and the world that surrounds him and that really has made this, a wonderful watch from the get-go and it truly does have us counting down the minutes to next week’s tale. So, we can see what other surprises and revelations await us, from one refreshing mystery series. Until next time.

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