Courtesy of ABC
Colour us all surprised that the three main male characters of Blood & Oil survived the fire cliffhanger from last week’s premiere episode. So is the second episode any better than the first?
Let’s bitch it out…
Unfortunately, I’m going to answer that with a resounding ‘no’. I find myself watching and trying to pinpoint exactly what it is that is not grabbing me about this show and I just can’t say for sure. It’s partly the terrible acting of the main couple, Billy (Chase Crawford) and Codey (Rebecca Rittenhouse). It’s partly the lacklustre story lines. I mean, on paper I’m sure they all sounded exciting and gripping, but the translation to the screen just isn’t working. Finally, I think it’s the believability. I mean, these kids have been in town for a total of maybe four days and they’ve lost their life savings, negotiated with a billionaire to get a million dollars, moved from their parking lot campground home to a fancy motel room, found out they’re pregnant, made friends with the billionaire and his wife, been injured in an oil explosion and then both promised their million dollars to separate endeavours. And that’s not even counting the other characters on the show! This is an oil boomtown. These kids arrive on the scene and somehow make best friends with the richest oil tycoon in town? I bet everyone and their dog wants a piece of Hap Briggs (Don Johnson), but somehow these naive kids become his best friends a minute after arriving. I’m sorry, I’m not buying what you’re selling here folks. And it’s ruining the show for me.
I will admit there is one TINY interesting plot point to end the show this week. What great show would be complete without the love triangle of a woman having an affair with both a father AND his son? Certainly not this one, that’s for sure. Jules (India de Beaufort) has been sleeping with Wick (Scott Michael Foster), but then we’re shown in the cliffhanger that she once had some kind of relationship with Hap as well when she opens the door in lingerie and they kiss. Although I did cringe at the kiss (because he’s legit at least double her age), I do find the possibilities intriguing. However, with this show’s track record so far, I’m not holding my breath that this will turn into something great.
One of the reasons I’m so frustrated is that I thought Hap (Don Johnson) was going to wise up to his good for nothing son Wick, but then the sheriff (Delroy Lindo) shows up and blows it. Too easy. Nope, we need to endure this awful plot for another few weeks until everyone sees how unbelievably guilty this kid looks in every single scene when they’re discussing the fire. I mean… really?! The guy’s face alone gives it away. Then daddy dearest touches his shoulder and begins to wise up but somehow the “thief” is identified at that exact moment. Seriously?! Wick’s facial expressions are basically a confession but nope, he tells daddy that he loves him so it can’t be him! I mean, that couldn’t have been his guilt talking, now could it? <Gasp> I think I missed my calling as a police detective. I could’ve wrapped this up in no time.
Courtesy of ABC
Other Observations:
- Why does everyone hate Carla so much? Is it just regular step mommy hatred from the kiddos, or is it something more that we will get to see as the season goes on? We have had a few scenes where she is shown to be a shrewd woman, but she mostly plays the doting wife to the rich billionaire oil man. I’m inclined to like her because she’s the only one wise enough to think that Wick is behind the fire. So for now, I’m on Team Carla.
- I was excited when I saw there was going to be a few new characters this week. However, Lacey (Miranda Rae Mayo) and AJ (Adan Canto) are dull as dishwater. Lacey is the typical spoiled rich kid who hates her step mom and is looking to rebel by making out with her dad’s new errand boy. AJ has some potential in the very last second of the show when we see him taking pictures of Hap leaving Jules’ apartment, but in my opinion, Lacey can hop on her jet back to California at any time. Btw, could they have said that she’s from California one more time? I’m not sure I caught it the first 85 times, thanks.
So how did you feel about the second episode? Do you agree that its falling a little flat? Or am I completely coming out of left field on this one? Are you as amazed as I am that no one can tell Wick is guilty based on his ridiculously guilty looking face? Sound off below!
Blood & Oil airs on Sundays at 9pm EST on ABC.