‘Ultra City Smiths’ Recap: ‘O-o-h Child’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Ultra City Smiths’.
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When we last settled in to discuss the fascinating AMC/AMC+ series, Ultra City Smiths, we were left with quite the cliffhanger. In that, Detective Nico Onasis was left critically wounded by an assassin, leaving the future of the case and his life in jeopardy and well… that definitely made the wait for this week’s episode a difficult one. Because we were dying to know if Nico was going to be okay and of course, we were equally as curious if the case would survive and we also wanted to know what other incredible storytelling twists this series was going to send our way and well… thankfully, this week’s episode didn’t waste any time in answering all of our burning questions.
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However, the answers that ‘O-o-h Child’ provided us with, were ugly ones. Because despite being rescued by the ambulance and comforted by Mills while he was wounded, Detective Nico Onasis eventually succumbed to his wounds. Leaving Mills in a devastated and dark place and leaving the case hanging for certain. Because now Mills needed to know who took his partner down since that took priority and sadly, that didn’t yield much result either, leaving Mills listless and hopeless and in turn, the audience felt the same way and rightfully so. Because this episode made it clear that Ultra City is steadily creeping into its darkest hour, courtesy of the scumbags that run keep running this place.

Because in addition to forcing the case to stop cold in its tracks, they also decided that the time had come to ensure that no shred of hope was to be found within the city limits. Which motivated Chris Pecker to go after his wife in the worst way imaginable. By releasing a sex tape that involved her to inspire doubt in her abilities as mayor and well, it worked. Because everyone was captivated and shocked by the released video that the always unsavory news in Ultra City showed in full. To the point where her favorability plummeted and to where our favorite street hustler was unable to get the attention of the bank tellers he was trying to rob. But while those elements made it clear that getting any sense of justice or hope in the city that simply doesn’t care, might be an impossible task… not all hope was lost.

For Grace is starting to understand that Ultra City will turn you into something that you don’t want to be if you let it. Which is why she started to indulge in acts of kindness around town, in an effort to go against the grain and try something new in this godforsaken place, and there was another beautiful reminder that good does persevere in this world. For while Mills was working to process Nico’s passing and while the elite of the city worked to keep hope down… Gail was spending a little time with a woman that Nico once dated, one that was pregnant with his child, and gave birth on this very day. Which means that Nico’s life wasn’t the waste he worried it would be, for his line lives on and that that seems to have given Mills a reason to close this case. 

As to whether or not he will though, has yet to be seen. For evil is indeed powerful in this city and it really does find a way to shut doors that should be open. But hopefully the hope present here can break through it and inspire change in this sullied landscape and thankfully, we won’t have to wait all that long to see if that will be the case. Because next week brings forth the season finale of this fascinating and unique series and considering how fast this story has moved along over the past five weeks, we should be in store for a powerhouse ending. One that will change the dynamics of Ultra City forever and hopefully, make the city care about its people at last. Until next time.  

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