TV Show Review

TV Review: SNOWFALL: Season 1, Episode 9: Story Of A Scar [FX]

Jose Zuniga Snowfall

Snowfall Story Of A Scar Review

Snowfall: Season 1, Episode 9: Story of a Scar abandons the humorous elements of the preceding episode but easily proves to be the best the show has had so far.

Considering the program’s longstanding inability to capitalize on its interesting premise and deliver quality drama, last Wednesday’s show comes as a welcome respite from this tendency. By placing much-needed emphasis on interaction, the action that follows is more potent than it otherwise would have been. This is seen in the opening argument between Franklin (Damson Idris) and his mother Cissy (Michael Hyatt) as well as the follow-up exchange between her and Louie (Angela Lewis), both of which exhibit an intensity that has been largely absent from the show. I would even go as far to say that Hyatt’s performance here is the stand-out of the episode, with her character’s conviction carrying her to heights that even the series regulars can only aspire to.

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Speaking of which, the lead who comes closest to said heights is Lucia (Emily Rios), which is hardly surprising given her outburst at the end of Baby Teeth. Within the show’s Mexican sub-plot, Rios has become the most engaging cast member, a feat accomplished in no small part by the commitment she makes to the role. Her talk with Ramiro (Jose Zuniga) about kicking Oso (Sergio Persis-Mencheta) is positively nerve-wracking and serves as a good follow-up piece to the last episode’s aforementioned outburst. Even the scene where she is the least active, when they all go to Teddy (Carter Hudson) and Alejandro’s (Juan Javier Cardenas) warehouse to discuss their illicit business, is effective. Quiet for the duration of the entire sequence, she still manages to convey through discomfort at her inability to reign in Ramiro and Pedro (Filipe Valle Costa) through her bemused facial expressions and rigid body language.

On a technical level, however, the episode is fairly unremarkable, a complaint I have of course leveled at previous entries. While the narrative and acting are strong enough to carry the episode on their own, it’s tempting to think about what could have been had the show’s creators been willing to take more risks with the way they told said narrative. On the other hand, there is nothing egregiously wrong here either, with there being no shots akin to the bewildering pan sequence in A Long Time Coming.

All in all, Story of a Scar sets a new bar for the series and renews my faith in its ability to become good television. With only one more episode to go before the season ends, I find myself anticipating the possibility that they emulate its success.

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Reggie Peralta

**** We hired Reggie, fulfilled our obligations to him, and he quit in the middle of covering two TV series w/ no notice and no explanation. He then ignored our emails asking him to complete his coverage (we had no one else to cover those TV shows). He didn't care. We regret hiring him and we regret putting our trust in him. **** An aspiring writer, longtime film junkie, and former UCLARadio.com disc jockey (where I graduated with a BA in Political Science), I've made the jump from penning book reviews and current events editorials for HonorSociety.org to writing movie and TV news and reviews. When I'm not working towards my certificate in Radio and Television/Video Production at Fullerton College, I enjoy reading (horror, science fiction, and historical/political nonfiction are particular favorites), participating in my school's TV and theatre clubs, attending movie screenings, plays, concerts, and other events, and trying to come up with pithy things to say on social media. Believe it or not, there are occasions where I find time to write for my own leisure.
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