'Timeless' Recap: 'Hollywoodland'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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​Normally when I settle in to watch a new episode of a television show, I like to let my mind ponder upon the possibilities of what I might be in for and oddly enough, I find myself not doing that when it comes to NBC’s Timeless. That’s largely due in part to the fact that I now know this show is going to surprise me in some form or fashion and I’m glad I came into this one without any preconceived notions because this week’s episode, ‘Hollywoodland’ once again found a way to catch me off guard.
 
It accomplished that, in the simplest way possible, by abandoning the darker and heavier themes that were present during the prior two episodes to instead have some fun and I won’t lie, this was a welcome surprise through and through. Television shows such as this tend to stick to their plotlines to a tee and ramp up the intensity as the weeks go on. But, Timeless is about as unconventional as it gets, and the setting of 1940’s Tinsel Town is what dictated the mood for this tale and allowed for the characters to let loose for a change, and that was just a joy to watch.
 
I mean come on, we got a musical number that was entertaining and joyful. Plus, it was also amazing to see Lucy geek out more than usual about meeting someone from history since Hedy Lamarr truly blew her away and she wasn’t the only one enjoying the era. Rufus may have stolen the show with his poetic rendition of the opening credits to The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and to top it all off, the majesty of this place even inspired romance since at long freaking last, Wyatt and Lucy finally became a couple and while I’m definitely behind on season one, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that these two are gaga for one another.
 
But there was still a future to be saved and I really appreciated the subtlety of Rittenhouse’s plan in this one. Because rather than reveal some grand scheme involving murder or explosions, our baddie in this one simply wanted to control information, and stealing Citizen Kane so that Rittenhouse could publish propaganda in Heart’s newspapers was a refreshing plan indeed and while our TimeTrio was able to save the day, have a good time and help Hedy find a fortune she never knew could possibly exist, there were some dark elements for this episode to explore after all.
 
Because there needs to be cause for concern when it comes to Jiya’s visions because there’s some gravity to them now that they’re coming true and not associated with any kind of illness. Plus, Flynn is out of prison and amongst them and this budding romance between Wyatt and Lucy may be in jeopardy considering how the end of this episode played out. But, what matters most, is that this episode was a blast through and through and it just goes to show how versatile this show can be storytelling wise and well, now that I’m all caught up, I guess the time has come to suffer as we all patiently wait for a brand-new episode. Until next time. 

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