‘The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey’ Recap – ‘Coydog’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

Our lives should follow a fairly specific path, one outlined by generations of modern thinking and structure. Wherein we are raised right by our parents before setting out in the world to start our own family and make our mark on society through either incredible acts that give back or through contributions to our career field, and when we have completed that particular task, we spend our twilight years enjoying the majesty of life before taking part in one critical final act. Specifically, preparing for our end. A process that involves pondering upon whether or not we are satisfied with the life we led to ensure there is peace in our hearts… as we get our final affairs in order before our time to join what waits beyond, arrives.
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Which is quite the path to lead, one that genuinely allows for each of us to experience incredible lives that are filled with wonder and joy, and ups and downs that teach us great lessons, and it is one that each of us can easily abide by and understand, minus one particular aspect. For it is the end of that path that we tend to not talk about all that often, nor do we really receive feedback on what that part of life looks like since those who take part in it… are barreling toward an incredible shift in life from which there is no return. Which really stunts our understanding of what our final days look like and how we properly prepare for the end. But it just so happens that the next episode of The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey on Apple TV+, takes the time to explore this in a fascinating and uncomfortable manner.

For ‘Coydog’ sees Ptolemy spend a little more time with Doctor Rubin, to really gauge how long before his mind and his body may come to suffer from the devastating aftereffects of this drug and well… due to Ptolemy’s incredible makeup, genetically, the chances are good that he doesn’t have that long before the dementia returns. And while this might not outright kill him, a complete loss of his mind and facilities is most certainly as close as one gets, and it might not be long after that… before the brain completely gives out. Meaning that Ptolemy is indeed facing his last days and therein began the exploration of how exactly we get our affairs in order before saying goodbye and one key aspect that perhaps we don’t give all that much thought to… is what to do with our finances.

After all, we cannot take the money with us when the time comes and we have to do something with what remains and armed with Spanish Dubloons, which turned out to be the treasure in question that he brought back per Coydog’s wishes, and a suitcase full of tens of thousands of dollars… he made some moves to handle his financial affairs. Partly by getting those coins appraised through a trusted dealer that helped Ptolemy move them about when he needed real money for Sensia’s cancer back in the day, and by setting up a trust fund of sorts at the bank. One that he put Robyn in charge of, since she is the most put together family member and the most responsible, so that Niecie and her essentially lost nephew can have something to help out with their finances, and this was powerful and practical to watch since it reminds us that taking care of those we leave behind financially, is important, and should be handled in some capacity before we depart this plane.

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But while that is a sound lesson for certain, so much more goes into preparations for the end. Such as actually taking the time to talk with our loved ones about what is going to happen, so everyone can speak to what they mean to one another and really face the reality of what awaits on the horizon. Because the end is terrifying through and through, and a lack of closure can genuinely unsettle a person for years on end, so to have this talk and to have an open expression of feeling… can truly help the grieving process and prepare one’s mind for some incredible life changes and the importance of this was demonstrated by way of a powerful and moving talk between Robyn and Ptolemy. Wherein they spoke to the impact they’ve had upon one another and made their peace with what is to come when the drug wears off and the fog of dementia returns.
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However, where this episode truly shined, was when it took the time to explore the most important aspect of all of preparing for the end. Specifically, taking the time to reflect upon our lives and whether or not we can find peace regarding the choices we’ve made, and this was quite the important and powerful segment, because Ptolemy basically revealed to Robin and us… that he harbored no satisfaction or peace regarding the life he’s lived. Because he didn’t really follow Coydog’s instructions about using the treasure to help out the folks in the community, and not doing more for others when he knew he was capable of it, gave him great pause and forced him to genuinely ponder upon a fascinating question. In that, is it possible to push ahead and find a way to rectify that kind of regret with the end so close? And in Ptolemy’s mind, that answer is a resounding yes.

Which is why he spent a lot of time in this tale, having conversations with people that knew Reggie through and through. So, he could come to understand Reggie’s mindset in his final days and determine what might have led to the circumstances of his death. Not to make full peace with that mind you, but to do something worthwhile and fulfilling. Specifically, figuring out who killed Reggie… so they could face justice at last and bring closure and respect to the death of a kind and gentle man and Ptolemy’s total recall of one of the last conversations he had with Reggie, combined with some impromptu digging on Mister Grey’s part… brought about some leads. The kind he will pursue with impunity to honor Reggie and to finally feel as though he did something quite amazing with his life.

But while we wait to see what Ptolemy uncovers about Reggie’s end, we can revel in the wonder of a powerful, powerful tale. One that really had a frank conversation with the audience about an important matter that we not only don’t talk about enough, but kind of ignore so we don’t have to really face the reality that we are fragile, and finite and the show deserves a massive and thunderous round of applause for having that conversation and reminding us of that uncomfortable fact. Since doing so serves as a little kick in the pants to go out there and live it up, and do wonderful and fulfilling things that leave our spirits full and at peace for the rest of our days. And now that we’ve reached the end of another fascinating chapter in this dynamic and engaging tale, it will be quite interesting to see what other stunning lessons await us as Ptolemy races against the clock to solve the murder of a damn good man. Until next time.

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