‘The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey’ Recap: ‘Reggie’ & ‘Robyn’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

‘Reggie’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray’.
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One particular lesson that is slammed into our skulls at an early age, is that we absolutely must live life to the fullest and it makes sense as to why we are taught this in such an aggressive manner. For we are only on this tiny little Earth for a limited number of years and death can surprise us at any moment. So, if we don’t go for what we want and make a family with the person we love, and forge endless memories in doing so… our golden years will be nothing short of a nightmare. The kind that are devoid of joy and filled instead with regret of a life not well-lived and the fear of the possibility of spending our final moments in awe of how little we accomplished, is what makes this lesson so impactful, and it is why we follow it to a tee.
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But while that lesson does indeed motivate us to move and grow and enjoy this finite and special life, there’s a lot that our parents leave out of that lesson. In that, our golden years will not be as rosy as we might expect. For life is going to take things from us as we grow older and sometimes, despite doing our best to live every moment as though it is our last… there is a chance the memories designed to keep us comfortable and content, may be robbed from us regardless, by the ravages of time and an ancient mind. If anything, that somewhat harsh outlook on what our later years might look like because of the natural order, is top of mind today… simply because it is one of the many themes present in the brand-new Apple TV+ series, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. 

For this particular show introduces us to a ninety-something year old man named Ptolemy Grey who is in the early stages of dementia and well… make no mistake about it, this part of the show wastes little time in examining what old age could look like for some of us and that makes for a moving and humbling viewing experience. Since the cruelty of advanced old age is shown here in the raw through Samuel L. Jackson’s riveting performance. One that will bring you to tears as the indignity and struggle of having the body rob the mind of what it cherishes most, of what we cherish most, washes over Ptolemy and leaves him a shell of his former self, a man that was clearly well-lived and full of vibrancy in his youth. 

Not to mention, his journey in this story also focuses heavily on how the elderly instill a fear in all of us, since the realities, of old age shatters the romantic notion we have in our heads of what the twilight years should look like, and remind us of our mortality. Plus the cruelty and prejudice exhibited toward Ptolemy in this story, courtesy of one character's desire to take advantage of him out of the belief that no one will care because Ptolemy is ‘old and crazy,’ really does provide the viewer with a stark look at ageism. A topic we don’t talk about all that much in our modern world, but we should. Because the elderly deserve the same care and respect as anyone else and what’s amazing… is that these opening two episodes still have more amazing concepts to explore.

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‘Robyn’

Since they also lean heavy into the gravity of death and how it becomes amplified in our minds in our later years since we are staring down our own mortality and that is examined by way of the terrible loss that Ptolemy has to endure in the first episode. One so devastating and heartbreaking that it brings both Ptolemy and the audience to outright tears over the realism and painful nature of this loss and of course, this exploration also takes the time to remind us of how loss and grief are always with us, regardless of how the years roll on, and how the ghosts of the most important people in our lives are what truly haunt us. Not the specters we imagine or see on the silver or small screen. 
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But while all of those elements seemingly bring forth a story that is bleak and depressing in nature, one that is only going to break our hearts further by watching Ptolemy waste away before our eyes, that’s simply not the case. For there is beauty to be found in this tale, by way of the decency and care that both Robyn and Reggie show toward Ptolemy. Because their actions here serve to remind us, that decency costs us little and kindness costs us even less, and when we take a moment to indulge in both of those acts, wonders are often achieved, and joy can be found and those are the acts that make life worth living and celebrating, and they create moments that are worth hanging onto for as long as they will last.

Plus, we would be remiss to not talk about the science fiction-esque element present within this tale that gives Ptolemy and others great hope for his future. Since there is a doctor in this story named Rubin, and he offers up claims of a miracle cure for dementia. One that can restore Ptolemy's memories and cherished moments, and well… it would seem that his miracle drug has merit. Since there are moments of lucidity for Potlemy, after he samples said drug, that show us briefly the man that he was for many years before his brain began to lose its neural cohesion, and the potential of what this cure could do for his mind and his life… compels one to continue this incredibly moving and powerful journey. One that is clearly going to dive into so much more than its central themes. 

Since this is also a story that is going to focus on what it means to be Black in America and what that experience looked like in years past as well, making this show a welcome showcase for Black voices at a time when they absolutely need to be heard, and that aspect of this story, will only add to the brilliance of a series that is unlike anything on television right now. Because this writer is hard pressed to think of another show that demands the audience look hard at aspects of life that we fear and refuse to discuss in a manner that is so realistic and so captivating, that its messages and their power stay with you long after these episodes have come to an end. But that is of course what great storytelling does when all is said and done, and it will be simply incredible to see what else this poignant series has to say as we continue this intimate journey into the life and times of Ptolemy Grey. Until next time.    

To learn more about the depth present in this show, check out our interviews with cast members Cynthia Kaye McWilliams (Sensia), Marsha Stephanie Blake (Niecie), and Omar Benson Miller (Reggie).

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