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The Review Geek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Poker Face – Season 2 Episode 6 'Sloppy Joseph' Recap & Review
Episode 6 The Murder Episode 6 of Poker Face Season 2 opens up in an elite private school called Good Hope Academy. We are introduced to Stephanie, who loves achieving things, particularly having the most gold stars in the class. However, her streak is broken when she loses the spelling bee contest to Elijah, a small boy whose best friend is the class gerbil named Joseph. The teacher comforts Stephanie and points out that she can still win the upcoming talent competition. Later, Stephanie Googles 'how to kill a boy's self-esteem.' It tells her to find what he loves and destroy it. She then spies on Elijah as he does magic tricks for the talent show. It involves putting Joseph inside a paper lantern and making him disappear. The trick is the box below the lantern. Elijah pulls a string which makes Joseph fall onto some cushions inside. He then swings a hammer onto the empty lantern to complete the effect and then pulls out the intact gerbil. Stephanie steals the keys to the office where Elijah's things are and sneaks inside. She finds a baby picture of Elijah on the computer and makes a copy of it on her tablet. Although she drops one of the gold stars on her uniform while doing so. The day of the talent show arrives. As the students go up to showcase their work, a slideshow prepared by Stephanie shows photos of them. Stephanie smugly tells Elijah that his baby picture will be going up soon. He runs off to the projector and manages to delete his baby picture seconds before it goes up. Then it's time for his magic trick but this time, the hole in the box doesn't open for little Joseph. Unfortunately, Elijah doesn't realise and brings his hammer down, killing Joseph and traumatising his entire class. The Investigation We then shift to Charlie, who's telling her radio pal Good Buddy that she's gotten a new gig at a private school. Maybe being around innocent kids is what she needs? He laughs it off and wishes her luck. Charlie begins working, although she butts heads with the school's uptight principal, Dr Hamm. She does get along with the janitor named JB, who is none other than Elijah's father. In JB's office, Charlie happens to find a gold star pin that Stephanie dropped while snooping on him. The day of the talent show arrives and all hell breaks loose. Charlie drops by JB's house with some whiskey to offer comfort. Elijah has shut himself in his room and JB describes how he got into magic after his mother's death. Now he wants to burn it all. He also tells Charlie that he thinks somebody sabotaged Elijah's magic trick by turning the box with the hole upside down so Joseph couldn't fall. Before she leaves, JB asks her to feed the other gerbils and gives her the key to his office for their food. He asks her to be careful since Dr Hamm is the only person with the other key. At school, Charlie notices that Stephanie is wearing the same gold star pin she had found earlier in JB's office. Charlie tries to talk to her, getting to the truth very quickly and encouraging her to confess the whole thing and clear Elijah's name. However, Stephanie refuses to do so. Instead, she records a video of Charlie calling her a pigtailed demon. Charlie then ropes in one of the class's computer geeks and asks to see the video of the talent show. In the footage, she spots Elijah running towards the projector. On the same computer, she also finds the baby picture of Elijah in Stephanie's presentation. Dr Hamm then calls Charlie to her office and tells her she's fired. The reason? She's seen the video of Charlie calling Stephanie a pigtailed demon. Charlie explains how Stephanie distracted Elijah and then turned the box in his magic trick upside down, so the gerbil couldn't fall. Charlie then realises that the only place Stephanie could have gotten the keys to JB's office from is Dr Hamm's office. However, Dr Hamm refuses to speak a word against the little girl. She tells Charlie to meet her in secret in the toilets, where she shows her a file with evidence of Hamm's gambling habits. There's also proof of Hamm stealing from the school's cash box. Apparently, Stephanie is blackmailing her with it and since her parents are quite important to the school, Hamm is now under her control. Stephanie, who overheard the whole thing, gloats in front of Charlie after Hamm is gone. Charlie then meets Ms Dee, the class teacher, and tells her she's been fired. They both discuss how they want to do something for Elijah. Elijah returns to school to see that his classroom has been made to look like a boat (a replica of the one that houses the gerbils). All the students welcome him back and Ms Dee shows the class a new gerbil but says that it is Joseph and that they managed to save him! Everyone cheers, much to Stephanie's dismay. In anger, she steals cash from the school's cash box and tries to make it look like JB stole it. Charlie takes a picture of her, catching her in the act. She then threatens to use the picture unless Stephanie stops with all the bullying and the blackmailing of Dr Hamm. At the end of Poker Face Season 2 Episode 6, Charlie then gets in her car, all set to leave. On her dashboard is a golden star from Stephanie, saying that she will find Charlie when she grows up. The Episode Review Poker Face Season 2 Episode 6 offers another fun Charlie Cale adventure. It's nice to see that this season is branching out from the structure of its mystery-of-the-week. While murder is very much involved in some way or the other, we can now include alligators in the suspect list and gerbils in the victim list. It's a solid twist to the format and stops it from getting too predictable. In this one, Charlie does come upon the truth fairly quickly and that's a new change as well. More of the episode revolved around Charlie trying to bring Stephanie to justice rather than figuring out who the killer is. With all of Stephanie's creepy Orphan-esque energy, the series does continue to lean into its absurdist elements. But that's what makes it fun! After all, it's more enjoyable to watch a small child make threats and blackmail a principal rather than seeing the portrayal of a realistic child. Also, the show's decision to shoot all of the kids' perspectives at their height and to cut off all the adults was a nice detail! While it doesn't have much relevance later on, it definitely makes the initial section of the story more immersive. To wrap this up, Charlie's discussions with Good Buddy are getting increasingly philosophical and she seems to be looking for something. It will be interesting to see where this goes! Previous Episode Next Episode Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
Geek Girl Authority
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
POKER FACE Recap: (S02E06) Sloppy Joseph
Poker Face Season 2 Episode 6, 'Sloppy Joseph,' might be my favorite episode of the season thus far. It's silly and delightfully campy. Who knew having Charlie solve the murder of a gerbil and take on a scheming little girl could be so fun? It's a breath of fresh air and a subversion of the episodic formula, if only because Charlie figures out almost immediately who's behind poor Joseph Gerbils' demise. RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Poker Face episode, 'Hometown Hero' Poker Face, 'Sloppy Joseph' We open with a montage featuring Ms. Dee's (Adrienne C. Moore) class at Good Hope Academy. She awards her elementary school-age kids with gold stars for their various achievements. She writes a series of superlatives on the chalkboard, from Best Penmanship to Best Diorama. One student, Stephanie (Eva Jade Halford), boasts the most gold stars, often outperforming her fellow classmates. However, Elijah (Callum Vinson) is catching up to her. He also wins the classroom spelling bee, much to Stephanie's annoyance. Up next on the performance roster is the school talent show. Stephanie searches 'How to murder a boy's self-esteem' online. Initially, the episode makes us believe Stephanie might take out Elijah, but let's be real: that would be dark as hell. Side note: I love that this first act is through the kids' perspectives, so we don't see the adults' faces. Very Charlie Brown . A Bloody Magic Trick Later, Stephanie watches as Elijah performs his magic trick for the school talent show for his father, JB (David Krumholtz), the janitor. She observes how it works. A lantern sits atop a box with a hole in the bottom. Elijah pulls a string and the class gerbil, Joseph Gerbils (interesting name choice), falls through the hole to the lower level of said box. Then, Elijah swings a mallet, making it appear he's smashing Joseph, but it's a balloon in the little guy's place. RELATED: Poker Face Season 2: Our 6 Dream Guest Stars After Elijah and JB depart, Stephanie infiltrates the space. She snaps a photo of Elijah as a baby on JB's desktop (it's his office). She also rigs Elijah's magic trick. Her work complete, Stephanie unknowingly leaves behind proof of her devious act: a gold button from her school uniform. Then, it's the big day. Dr. Hamm (Character Actress Margo Martindale) makes her announcements before the show commences. We learn that Stephanie, ever the overachiever, created the slideshow featuring the contestants' photos. She taunts Elijah before his performance. He realizes exactly what image she used to introduce him. Elijah runs out into the audience and deletes the photo from the slideshow. The New Lunch Lady Next, Elijah takes to the stage. Everything is going swimmingly until it's time to incorporate the mallet into the act. We see that poor Joseph didn't fall through the hole in the box as planned. Suddenly, Elijah swings the mallet and splat . Joseph's guts spray out into the audience. All the kids present scream as the adults usher them out of the auditorium. Stephanie offers an evil grin. It all went according to plan. RELATED: Russian Doll Season 2 Thoughtfully Explores Motherhood and Trauma Flashback time! Charlie (Natasha Lyonne) sits in her Barracuda outside Good Hope Academy. She must sign a pledge before joining the staff as the new lunch lady. She chats with Good Buddy (Steve Buscemi), who has choice words for Charlie signing her life away. Also, has she ever interacted with kids? They're little hellions. Charlie insists this job might help her rediscover her inner child. Sure enough, Charlie encounters resistance from the kids at the school. Dr. Hamm is no better and isn't a fan of our modern-day Columbo. After lunch, Charlie hangs out with JB in his office. JB explains that Hamm is a hard ass, so it's best to stay on her good side. Hamm arrives and orders the pair to empty their pockets. Someone is stealing from the cash box. POKER FACE — Season 2 Episode 6, 'Sloppy Joseph' — Pictured: (l-r) Eva Jade Halford, Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale — (Photo by: Ralph Bavaro/Peacock) RIP, Joseph Gerbils Later, Charlie takes out the trash during the school talent show. JB rushes inside to watch Elijah's magic trick. Charlie hears the screams following Elijah inadvertently killing Joseph, but assumes the audience simply loved his act. Well, that is until Ms. Dee vomits in a bin once everyone's outside. Charlie sees JB usher Elijah away from the scene. RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Mabel Mora After this, Charlie stops by JB's apartment with Elijah's hat (and some booze). JB explains that Elijah really got into magic after his wife passed away. Elijah's only friend was the class gerbil. He meticulously ensured his trick wouldn't harm Joseph. JB explains how the trick is supposed to work before assuming someone sabotaged his son's act. Initially, Charlie believes this is a tragic accident. She overhears the poor kid muttering about never getting out of the boat. What could that mean? Then, Charlie visits Ms. Dee's classroom to feed the other gerbils after getting the food from JB's office. She notes the missing button from Stephanie's uniform. Earlier, when Hamm asked Charlie and JB to empty their pockets, we see said button fall from Charlie's pockets. She makes the connection, especially after observing Stephanie's behavior in the classroom. Stephanie brings a card she made to class about Elijah 'murdering' Joseph. Charlie Cale Calls Bullshoot In addition, Ms. Dee remarks that Stephanie is an overachiever who recently lost the spelling bee contest. The wheels are turning in Charlie's head. Afterward, Charlie chats with Stephanie on the playground. Stephanie accuses Elijah of maliciously killing the class gerbil. At one point, Stephanie lies, and Charlie calls bullsh*t, but quickly modifies her catchphrase to 'bullshoot' when Stephanie admonishes her for using an expletive. RELATED: Read our Russian Doll recaps Charlie believes Stephanie sabotaged Elijah's magic trick as payback for winning the spelling bee contest. Stephanie claims Charlie can't prove this. Why? Because she takes the gold button from her uniform from Charlie's hand and swallows it. There. What are ya gonna do now, lunch lady? Later, Charlie enlists the aid of a computer-savvy student to help her break down the footage from the talent show. She plies him with a delectable cupcake. Charlie realizes that Stephanie humiliated Elijah with the baby photo, which the latter removed from the slideshow. The student helping Charlie sees said photo and laughs riotously. Charlie doesn't understand why it's embarrassing — it's a cute baby pic. She discovers that Stephanie made the slideshow. Always One Step Ahead Then, Charlie takes her concerns to Hamm. She lays out the evidence proving Stephanie is behind Joseph's unfortunate demise. Hamm brushes this off and fires her. Why? Stephanie recorded footage of Charlie calling her names, which she shared with Hamm. Stephanie ensured Hamm gave Charlie the boot. The little evil genius. RELATED: The Best True Crime Shows on Netflix However, before Charlie leaves, Hamm urges the former to meet her in the bathroom. During their clandestine meeting, Hamm shows Charlie files featuring photos of her stealing from the cash box. Yes, Hamm has a gambling addiction and often took said cash to feed it. But Hamm insists she always replenished the cash the following day. Stephanie caught her in the act. Her parents run the local casino and pay big money for her to attend a private school. After this, Stephanie put a 'friendship' bracelet on Hamm that states, 'Ur Mine.' Stephanie is untouchable. Who knew a kid could hold so much sway over a power-wielding adult? Once Hamm leaves, Stephanie appears, having eavesdropped on their conversation. Charlie tries to appeal to the girl's sensibilities, insisting that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. It's lonely at the top — she'll need friends. Stephanie feigns sadness, claiming she acts this way because she's lonely. Charlie calls bullshoot. I love these scenes between Lyonne and Halford. They're so funny. RELATED: Read our Only Murders in the Building recaps In the Same Boat Together Charlie bids farewell to Ms. Dee, but not before explaining her desire to help Elijah. They talk about the cruelty of kids and how they should be nurturing each other. Elevating each other. Charlie wonders if they were ever this mean when they were children. Charlie recalls Elijah saying he should never have gotten off the boat. She gazes into the gerbils' aquarium, noting that it looks like a dock on water. She has an idea. Later, Elijah finally returns to school. Ms. Dee and his classmates greet him warmly. We see the classroom is designed like a boat. Ms. Dee says they all love Elijah and are in the same boat together. Aww. They even present him with another gerbil, claiming it's Joseph. Stephanie rages. She blurts out that Joseph is dead because Elijah killed him. Oh, someone doesn't like being outsmarted. So, Stephanie kicks things up a notch. She grabs the cash from the cash box and stuffs it into JB's pockets. Charlie takes a picture of Stephanie, catching her in the act. Stephanie planned to get JB fired, thus removing Elijah from the school. RELATED: Top 11 Peter Bogdanovich Films Dethroning the Queen Charlie threatens to share this photo of Stephanie framing JB to her parents. She'll also ensure it winds up in the inbox of every elite boarding school Stephanie has her sights set on. However, something much worse will knock the girl down a few pegs: puberty. And no one likes Stephanie. Things will only go further downhill for her once she reaches adolescence. Her reign of terror is over. No more bracelets, no more blackmail. POKER FACE — Season 2 Episode 6, 'Sloppy Joseph' — Pictured: (l-r) Adrienne C. Moore, Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale — (Photo by: PEACOCK) Next, Charlie suggests they shake on it. While they do this, Charlie slips a 'Ur Mine' bracelet around Stephanie's wrist. Checkmate! Then, a montage featuring new superlatives takes place. Elijah is the 'Best Friend to Creatures Great and Small.' JB is the 'Best Dad,' who gifts Elijah with a new magic wand. Hamm is the 'Best New Gambler's Anonymous Member' as she endeavors to leave the casino behind her. 'Best Mutually Assured Destruction' sees Stephanie shred the photos of Hamm stealing from the cash box, while Hamm deletes the pic of Stephanie trying to frame JB. RELATED: New TV Shows This Week (May 25 – 31) I Will Find You 'Best Charlie' goes to our titular gal with the poker face. She chats with Good Buddy over the radio. Perhaps working with kids isn't for her. She discovers a gold star on her dashboard that says 'For the Lunch Lady' on the front. On the back, it states, 'When I grow up, I will find you.' Uh-oh. Charlie spots Stephanie in the distance, looking as formidable as ever. She hightails it out of there. Stephanie doesn't seem like one to forget threats or promises. RELATED: Read our Poker Face recaps Poker Face drops new episodes every Thursday on Peacock. KNIVES OUT 3 Reveals First Look of Benoit Blanc With Long Hair Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
