‘The Mosquito Coast’ Recap: ‘The Burning of Judas’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘The Mosquito’ Coast’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One of the worst feelings in the world we will ever experience, is helplessness. For we are beings of agency and action, and we are in fact, the masters of our own destiny. So, the thought of not being in control and unable to do anything about our situation is sickening and it is only worse when we actually go through it. Because in that moment, we are lost, confused and unsure of what tomorrow will bring, and all we can do… is simply ride the sorrow we feel and tough it out as best we can. Because we are indeed helpless, and really the only way to maintain hope in that situation, is to keep our eyes peeled for an opportunity to take control. Since that will snap us out of our fog real fast and prompt us to spring into action.
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If anything, those elements are top of mind today, simply because the Fox family was helpless in the next episode of The Mosquito Coast on Apple TV+. For when we caught up with everyone in this tale, they were simply going through the motions and doing their best to live life in Casa Roja because… there was no agency to be found, they were stuck under the thumb of a landlord and a past that would bring all of them down. In fact, they were so downtrodden that new fights were beginning to break out. Since Dina and her father went after one another in a stunning manner, the kind that made it clear how much bad blood Allie and Margot had created between them and their children and well… even that offered no catharsis since there was no future to be had for anyone at the moment. Just another day, in a broken paradise.

Which prompted Allie and Margot to indulge in whatever wild idea or moment came their way. Which for Margot involved spending time with Richard. Since he offered to show her what he was hired to do, and as for Allie… well he was summoned to meet with Guillermo once again for fresh work and well… they both went along with the opportunities presented before them because… what else were they going to do? But going out and about in the world, while boring and asinine at first, did indeed present new opportunities for agency for both parties. Because Margot came to discover, Richard still cared for her and wanted to use this opportunity to rebuild trust and that in turn, allowed for him to spill the beans on the entire plan. Giving her ammunition to give to the United States Government and potentially get her family out of this mess at last. 

As for Allie, well he came to learn that his boss and landlord, wanted his old software. To perfectly fool the police in this country so that his drugs could flow free and never be stopped or intercepted by law enforcement officials. A move that Allie wasn’t happy to take part in, but did none the less, since to deny Guillermo would bring forth all kinds of trouble. The kind that would see harm come to every member of his family. So, he began to build what Guillermo​ wanted and he too, found opportunity through mundane measures. For he had to enter a bevy of data about the area and the surrounding landscape and in doing so… may have finally found his dream place… where no one would ever bother or demand anything of him. Courtesy of an old deed to a place known only as, La Costa de los Mosquitos, or as translated… The Mosquito Coast. 

If anything, this was just… another brilliant episode from an already brilliant series. Since it took the time to inform us quietly that sparks will fly when we don’t have purpose and control and the value of sometimes keeping our heads down when we are helpless. Since doing so gave Margot and Allie some welcome surprises and some direction at last and to top it all off… this is an episode that sets the stage for quite the race. One where Allie and Margot will push to see whose plan toward agency and freedom can come to fruition first, and it will be fascinating to see if Margot can wheel and deal freedom with the government, she turned her back upon or if Allie will be able to actually give his family what he promised them, as we barrel toward the season two finale of this magnificent series. Until next time.

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