‘Troppo’ Recap: ‘Unmasked’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season one finale of ‘Troppo’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One of the hardest lessons to learn when we are searching for the truth, is that sometimes the answers we seek are far simpler than we expect, and what makes this so difficult for us to fathom, is our imaginations and expectations really. For there is a part of our brain that really does believe that the world and our problems can be woefully complex, to the point where a search for answers will uncover revelations and realities that will stun us and shock us. So, when we come to learn how simple the answer truly was in our quest, we are shocked and left in a stunned and confused place where we work to process that all important lesson with mixed results. Because sometimes… we just want there to be more. If anything, that lesson is top of mind today, simply because it is one that Ted, and Amanda were reminded of during the season one finale of Troppo on Amazon Freevee.

For when we catch up with them in ‘Unmasked’, shortly after Amanda is released from police custody since they have nothing on her… Ted poses the possibility that they may have overcomplicated Jong Min’s death. For his parent corporation was trying desperately to ingratiate itself with the local community and murdering an employee wouldn’t help that in the slightest. Not to mention, the locals turning on him would ruin lives… so it had to be someone else that did him in and after pondering hard on the simplicity of the matter, the strained relationship dynamic present in Jong Min’s world prompted Ted to look there and well, as it turned out… that led to the truth. For he and Amanda came to learn that Jong Min was terrified of the backlash to come when he exposed his employer's actions, and was pushing harder and harder upon his family out of fear, and in doing so, he alienated Ah Rah to the point where she struck back one fateful night… killing her father. 

Which brought Ah Rah and Charlie to justice, since Charlie was part of the cover up, and with that simple truth under his belt… Ted turned his attention to another lingering case, specifically… Amanda’s. Because the police response regarding the whole mess with Bryce, made him wonder if Amanda really did snap with no prior history of mental illness or such acts, or if something simpler was at work here and well, his hunch paid off again. For a recheck of the blood sample used in evidence to convict Amanda, quickly proved that Amanda had been setup by Damford, and he clearly went the extra mile to make sure that she suffered greatly, but why? Which in turn brought forth more simple answers. In that, Damford was in a relationship with Lauren back in the day and was there the night that she died and knew about the fact that Brooke and Lauren drugged Amanda, an act that created wild hallucinations that brought about Lauren's end.

But what matters more, is that Damford’s cowardice in the moment when he could have saved Lauren, combined with his guilt for pressing to have her help the very girl she drugged, which led to that violent end… broke Damford. To the point where he believed the only way to make his mistakes right was to make Amanda pay the price in a court of law. Which is why he pressed for the maximum sentence and why he made her life hell when she did get out of prison and sadly, the discovery of this truth… took Damford to his lowest. To the point where he nearly shot Amanda out of some twisted form of retribution. But thankfully, Ted was there to stop Damford with a bullet, before teaching him a valuable lesson in bravery. Courtesy of how hard both Amanda and Ted raced to save his life and well… just like that, Amanda faced a bold new future.

One where she would no longer have to live under the specter that she was a monster of sorts, and that is quite the incredible way to end this season. Since it provided Amanda with peace at last and it also gave Ted peace as well. Because just like that, he was a fine investigator again, and did a lot of good in finding his groove and well… hopefully this isn’t the end of Ted and Amanda’s journey. Because it would be a true delight to see where they go from here with freedom in their hearts and souls and see how this private investigation business grows. So hopefully, we get news regarding a second season soon, so we can enjoy more of this fascinating duo and show. For they really are brilliant investigators through and through and you can never go wrong with a crime drama that is full of quality cases grounded in realism, and incredible characters filled with depth and a capacity to grow.

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