‘Total Control’ Recap: ‘Season 2, Episode 3’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘Total Control’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Stories that revolve and politics and cleaning up the system tend to feature a lead character that is supremely pure in nature, and it makes sense as to why. Because stories and shows in this vein are meant to expose the flaws in politics and having a main character that is the anthesis of the system and is infallible and morally sound, gives us hope that maybe there will come a day where good people infiltrate politics and turn the whole mess around. But while it is nice to escape into a world where perfect people teach the system a lesson, those stories don’t quite stick with us in the manner that they were intended to.

Because deep down, we know that politics are handled by human beings. And no matter how good someone is at their core, with the right set of circumstances surrounding them, they’ll give into the games that government officials play and do what must be done to come out on top. And rather than transform Alex Irving into a cliché/two-dimensional character that is always pure, the next episode of Total Control on Sundance Now, opted to go the realistic route and have Alex have a genuine moment of humanity in politics, and it accomplished that feat… by pushing Alex to the absolute limit. For when we catch up with her, here, she’s going through it for certain. 

For @Bait15 is starting to make horrible phone calls to her and someone is continuing to drive around the house and yell slurs at her and her family and to top it all off… someone called Child Protective Services on her, making her look like a fool and adding extra stress at the worst possible time. Plus, Jack Ramsey was finally showing his smug face around town to ensure he didn’t lose his seat and well, it just seemed strange that uncomfortable moments started to surround Alex, the instant Jack became an engaged opponent. Which motivated Alex to dig deep and see if by chance, he was the one sowing trouble for her, despite being kind and courteous to her, and wouldn’t you know it? He was indeed the troublemaker here after all. In fact, one of his staffers made that CPS call and that made Alex beyond furious.

Because that was in fact, a low blow, one that Charlie said she should avoid repaying in kind. But this humiliation and that level of cruelty was more than she could bear and well… at a town hall meeting, one that Jack actually showed up to… she opted to play the game and fire off a measure of payback. One that involved her quietly riling up the audience to go after Jack and hammer him on stage to see if they could shatter his cool demeanor. A decision that did indeed work. Since he blew up at the crowd and stormed off… but that vengeful meltdown came at quite the cost. Because innocents were put in the crosshairs of the press and Charlie was furious about her crossing the lines that should never be crossed to get ahead, to the point where he left Alex at the venue, to hold onto the emotional weight of her actions.

But all emotional weight of that moment aside, this really was one realistic and relatable tale. Because it really did remind us of the fact that the right level of pressure and the right circumstances can make anyone succumb to pettiness or vengeful moments and who among us, haven’t gone the extra mile to put someone in their place? If anything, this plot just goes to show that Total Control is one of the smartest political dramas out there and truly, this episode leaves one hungry for more. So, we can see if Alex’s tactics did in fact, have a positive impact upon the campaign or if the consequences of her actions will be real and devastating, and that will make the wait for next week’s episode, a difficult one  for certain. Until next time.

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