‘The Afterparty’ Recap: ‘Feng’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Ken Jeong, Zack Calderon, and Sam Richardson as Feng, Kyler, and Aniq in Episode 208 of ‘The Afterparty’ – ‘Feng’. (Photo courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 208 of ‘The Afterparty’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
​
Of the many genres of storytelling out there in film, one that generates a fair bit of controversy, is found footage. For there are those out there who lament the genre and see it as a cheap and ineffective way to tell a story, one best suited for the many Blair Witch homages it’s given life to. While there are others… who see it as the perfect medium to truly capture the human condition. Since it feels akin to how we consume storytelling and experience life in this day and age and can capture intimate and powerful moments and well… while the debate still rages on, it is the folks that see its wonder that will win the day eventually. Because they’re right… it does capture something special and can truly tell a moving story and for proof… then look no further than this week’s episode of The Afterparty on Apple TV+.
​
For this is the story that saw the footage from the weekend arrive in Danner’s inbox, and that led to a viewing party of sorts, one that Feng wanted to sit in upon. For he was worried about how the footage would make him look, which aroused suspicion of course… but instead… brought forth quite the moving and powerful story. One that did indeed showcase Feng prominently, and how badly he wanted to see his Baobing business succeed, only to have to fail before the weekend was even over. All because Edgar wanted no part in investing in it, and because he was in over his head from an investment standpoint and well… that raw truth about Feng’s personal journey, brought forth some intimate moments on camera. 

The kind that was presented to us in found footage style and showcased Feng the man, instead of Feng the businessman. Wherein we saw a man that was a hard worker, and talented when it came to his creation, and who was deeply afraid of failure and desperate to enjoy just one day of success, and we also came to learn… what drove that desire. Which as it turned out, related to his love of his family, especially his wife, Vivian. Whom despite her infidelity was the apple of his eye because she inspired him like no other to be more, to be someone that his children could admire, that she could admire. And that… basically absolved Feng of any suspicion and this really showcased the beauty of the found footage genre. Since having that camera there, to capture the little things and the poignant moments in Feng’s life, really did show us a different side of this man.

However, as this series does every episode, it also advanced the plot and took the time grow the characters. For while Feng was baring his soul to Aniq and Danner, Vivian was finally telling her daughters the truth about her sordid past with Ulysses, at Aniq’s pressing no less. Which led to some wonderful moments that spoke to how Feng had accomplished his mission since she chose him over adventure and clearly… there had been some kind of work between the two of them on resolving the hurt that came out of the affair, and of course… we are now finally inches away from the truth about who killed Edgar. For the closing moments of this story brought forth some wild surprises. Since Danner realized that a dark conversation on the footage between mother and son, might have more relevance than it was initially given credit by Feng and his cameraman, Kyler.

Mainly because… Isabel seemed eager to finally talk with Danner when confronted about that conversation, and even admitted she knew who killed her son, and that it wasn’t Grace. So, that’s nice. But either way, this is it, the truth is about to hit. But before we settle in to see how it all comes together, we can celebrate one amazing episode. One that paid proper respect to Found Footage at last, a genre that really does accomplish wonders and featured an outright acting clinic from Ken Jeong. Not to mention, the laughs were there again, since Ken also let his comedic chops fly, and this really was the perfect the way to set the stage for the season two finale. Because we needed something meaningful and beautiful, before the ugliness of murder is exposed to all. Until next time.

---

Watch ‘The Afterparty’

Powered by JustWatch