DISCLAIMER: This recap of Barry Season 4 Episode 2, “bestest place on the earth,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Welcome back, hit people/actors! Barry‘s second episode, “bestest place on the earth,” continues to build on the momentum from the season premiere. The narrative chugs along full steam ahead, and we have a vague idea of where things might go. It’s brimming with the show’s signature dark humor and insightful pathos. I love the parallels between Barry and Sally these past few episodes, from their drastic mood shifts and plummet into the darkness to similar shots featuring them standing at a distance. Sally positioned behind Gene in the theater is reminiscent of an earlier episode where Barry did the same thing. It’s ominous.
Both characters are messy and broken. Sally feels safe around Barry despite his abuse, which sounds like something a victim of domestic abuse would say. They’re toxic to each other. Barry’s nostalgic daydreams and yearning for the past seem on track with a man who’s lost all hope. He probably assumes he’s going to die in prison, so he fills his mind with his life’s greatest hits.
Ready to delve into “bestest place on the earth”? Let’s get to it.
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We open with Barry (Bill Hader) standing in his cell with his back facing us. He hears a young boy playing with toy soldiers. Our titular hitman turns around and sees a younger version of himself sitting on his bed. Young Barry races out of the prison cell and into the open expanse of land before him. We see him join his father and Fuches (Stephen Root). Barry meets Fuches for the first time. Like much of this series, I love how this scene is shot, with the trio slightly off-center and in the distance. Barry smiles at the memory.
Meanwhile, Fuches reunites with the detective duo to renege on his deal with them. He won’t throw Barry under the bus after all. While the inmates watch Yellowstone, Fuches introduces himself as The Raven, an enemy to the Chechens and Bolivians alike. He tries to recruit some inmates for his gang while Barry watches from afar. Afterward, Barry praises Fuches for his natural performance. Perhaps Barry can teach acting classes in prison. The pair believe their move to recruit prisoners was successful. Was it really?
Fuches apologizes again for trying to betray Barry. He claims the feds offered him a deal, but he rejected it wholeheartedly. Eh, that’s not quite what happened, but you do you, Pikachu. Next, Cristobal (Michael Irby) approaches a mob leader, Bong (François Chau), about joining forces for his and NoHo Hank’s latest business venture. Cristobal hopes to partner with him and the Guatemalans. However, Bong and his crew are at war with the Guatemalans, which poses a problem.
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But is it really a problem when you’re at “the bestest place on the Earth,” aka Dave & Buster’s? Here, Cristobal and NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan) tag-team to deliver a compelling pitch to both gangs. Sand is on the table, friends, and it’s there for the taking. This scene is hilariously choreographed. I love me some Hank and Cristobal. After their sales pitch, Hank receives a text from “Toro” about getting Barry out of prison.
Next, Lon O’Neil (Patrick Fischler) receives a beautifully handwritten note from Gene about their meeting. Gene sets it up almost like a treasure hunt. Lon’s first stop will be at Canter’s Deli (which I love dearly). Meanwhile, Barry learns he has a visitor — Sally (Sarah Goldberg). Sally reveals she flew back from Joplin to ask about their dog’s whereabouts. Barry claims he’s safe. Sally vents about staying with her parents and how horrible it was. Barry wonders if the dog is the only reason she visited. Sally tells him she feels comfortable around him. Barry proclaims his love for Sally as she departs.
Then, Lon meets Gene (Henry Winkler) in front of Canter’s Deli. Ah, seeing this street brings back memories. Gene reveals the actual meeting destination is elsewhere. After an afternoon of fun at Dave & Buster’s, Hank and Cristobal continue delivering their pitch to their potential partners. Everyone seems on board so far. Side note: I love the “Together, We Are Stronger” banner the boys made. This pitch gets an A+ for pulling out all the stops.
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Next, Hank surprises Cristobal by revealing to the group his plan to release Barry from prison. Hank claims they need him. Prison Break 2023! Meanwhile, Barry watches his younger self play with Fuches as a bridal party runs through the desert and into a wedding reception. As the atmosphere softens, we see older versions of Barry and Sally dancing off to the side. Once again, Barry grins at his imaginings.
Later, Lindsay (Jessy Hodges) tells Sally she can’t represent her anymore. Lindsay believes Sally’s image is too tarnished now. She’s “the c*nt” girl” who Natalie filmed and the girlfriend of a murderer. Lindsay thinks Sally might get to work on a reality TV show or snag a podcast deal when all of this blows over. However, she doesn’t sound hopeful about a proper career for Sally. Ouch.
Lon arrives outside the theater where Gene first taught his classes. He finds Gene on the stage, ready and waiting to perform his version of the story. Gene acts out what happened, from first meeting Barry to ensuring his arrest. Barry tries to snag a deal from the FBI. He vows to give up the LA kings and crime bosses save one in exchange for protection.
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After Gene’s mesmerizing performance, Lon has everything he needs to lay bare the Barry Berkman story for Vanity Fair. Lon promises not to mention Gene by name, although I’m unsure how that’s possible, given his active participation in this story. After Lon leaves, Gene runs into Sally. She demands to know why he didn’t tell her about Barry. Gene wonders how Sally didn’t know about him, mainly since they lived together. Gene believes Sally returned to this theater because it’s home — it’s safe. He plants a bug in her ear about teaching. Uh-oh.
Meanwhile, Fuches notices Barry’s missing from his cell. He learns from a new inmate that Barry moved elsewhere, apparently having struck a deal with the FBI. Cristobal says he’s confused about why Hank brought up Barry at the pitch meeting. Hank insists they need him. However, Fuches calls Hank to reveal Barry’s betrayal and his deal.
Hank immediately changes his tune. Instead of endeavoring to save Barry, he now wants to kill him. You know, before he says too much and puts Hank and Cristobal in danger. Oh, boy. This is about to get messy (I live for the mess).
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Hank’s complete pivot from helping Barry break free to wanting to kill him is intriguing. While Barry presumably struck a deal with the feds, it’s unclear what that constitutes. Who did he choose to protect? My money’s on Hank because he said it after claiming he could help bring down the LA crime kings. I love the Dave & Buster’s scenes. They’re so lighthearted and delightful. Hank and Cristobal are pure love together.
Who do you think Barry wanted to save? Will Hank honestly try to kill his bestie? Can Sally hack it as an acting teacher? Only time (and more episodes) will tell.
Barry streams new episodes every Sunday at 10 pm on HBO and HBO Max.
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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.
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