THE FRANCHISE Episode 6 Recap: Scene 110: Baptism of Fire

DISCLAIMER: This recap of The Franchise Season 1 Episode 6, “Scene 110: Baptism of Fire,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.

It’s a baptism of literal fire on the set of Tecto: Eye of the Storm. This week’s episode of The Franchise is all about fireballs, an angry/horny crew, one man’s band, Christopher Nolan and a Bluetooth-controlled vibrator. Then, there’s Eric’s steady diet of a Subway footlong of turds. It’s not as strong as last week’s fare, but it’s still a fun, silly, humorous outing.

The Franchise, “Scene 110: Baptism of Fire”

We open with Daniel (Himesh Patel) delivering an enthusiastic speech to a crew whose enthusiasm wanes significantly by the second. He hopes to boost morale. Why? Because they’re about to shoot Eric’s fireball scene, which will take them through Friday night into Saturday morning. It’s a Fraturday shoot, folks. Bryson (Isaac Powell), who inexplicably boasts an eye patch, offers free Jenga sets to the crew as compensation for the extra long shoot day.

Dag (Lolly Adefope) informs Daniel of her desire to attend a party on Saturday night. “Party Man” will be there. They approach Eric (Daniel Brühl) and Steph (Jessica Hynes). Before they all chat, Daniel listens to a voicemail from his young son, asking when daddy will be home. Aw.

Dag, Daniel and Steph stand outside a trailer on a film set at night. Jaz holds a prop weapon in front of them on The Franchise Season 1 Episode 6, "Scene 110: Baptism of Fire." — THE FRANCHISE Season 1 Episode 6, “Scene 110: Baptism of Fire.” Photo credit: Colin Hutton/HBO.

A Full Moon Rising

Eric rushes into his trailer. Steph explains that he has a bad case of the hiccups. Then, she pivots, reminding Daniel and Dag that it’ll be a full moon that night. Get ready for a violently horny crew. She spies Rufus (Justin Edwards), her work crush, when she says this.

Next, Peter (Richard E. Grant) tells Daniel and Dag that he has a major problem — an erection that won’t abate. This is an issue for HR. Adam (Billy Magnussen) eagerly reveals his solution to the low-energy problem among the crew. He’ll bust out his guitar and serenade them. Adam has a band called Flight Mode, which specializes in “upbeat blues.” He could play Flight Mode’s greatest hits during lunch and a full set as the shoot wraps on Saturday morning.

Daniel pulls Dag away from Adam, urging her to burn Adam’s guitar. The crew will undoubtedly turn on him if he sings for them. Elsewhere, Anita (Aya Cash) and Pat (Darren Goldstein) film an interview with a journalist. He informs said journalist that he’s better with sound bites instead of complete sentences.

Sparks Will Fly

Pat proceeds to rattle off variations of “Sparks will fly” as a tagline for the fireball scene. This bit cracks me up. Despite her visible panic, Anita praises Eric’s genius as a visionary director. After the interview, Anita whispers to Pat that she knows that he’s trying to f*ck their film after Eric, ahem, screwed China.

Later, Eric gets everyone together on set to walk through the fireball scene before they shoot it. They’ve already filmed footage of the fight scene that’ll play out. Eye, Peter’s character, will absorb the sun, aka the fireball, and become a full-fledged villain. After this, Adam asks Daniel and Dag to watch him “run furtively.” Daniel asks Steph why it says “furtive” in the script. She claims she merely typed up what Eric wrote.

Adam proceeds to run in a furtive fashion, whatever that means. I guess you don’t want anyone to see you running? It’s hilarious, though. Daniel eventually realizes that Eric meant “run frantically.” At the same time, Eric and Peter discuss the latter’s big monologue in the scene. Anita demands to know why they aren’t shooting, but Daniel reassures her that Eric’s got this. Francis Ford Hiccups is laser-focused.

Adam wears an oversized jacket while standing on a film set outside at night. He gestures wildly while addressing the film crew on The Franchise Season 1 Episode 6, "Scene 110: Baptism of Fire." — THE FRANCHISE Season 1 Episode 6, “Scene 110: Baptism of Fire.” Photo credit: Colin Hutton/HBO.

Breanne Is There

Next, Eric sits down with a journalist for a brief interview about the fireball scene. Steph interrupts to inform him that Christopher Nolan is on his way to set. Chrissy N wants to visit. This sends Eric into an emotional spiral. Bryson approaches Daniel, revealing that Maximum Studios is worried about Peter’s erection. Daniel insists they’ll take it out in post. Dag gets distracted when she discovers that everyone who’s anyone is attending this party. Even Breanne is there!

After this, Daniel, Dag and Steph pop into Eric’s trailer. Eric’s not doing well. He’s “mulling” in his trailer while whitening his teeth. You can’t say his mulling sessions aren’t productive. Dag gets pulled away to assist Peter while Daniel chats with Eric. Eric claims he’s having second thoughts about the fireball shoot. Methinks a certain director’s forthcoming visit might have something to do with this.

Eric realizes his fireball is quite small compared to, you know, the atomic bomb in Oppenheimer. Daniel informs him that the wind has died down, so now’s the time to get this done. They have an increasingly temperamental and violently horny crew. It would be in everyone’s best interest to finish this by sunrise. Eric puts his foot down, urging Daniel to tell the crew that the genius is mulling.

Help The Freakless Get Freaky

Meanwhile, Peter explains his dilemma to Dag. He’s trying to connect to the Bluetooth on his phone, which is connected to his wife’s vibrator. He wants to control it. Peter laments about not being canceled. When you’re canceled, every day’s a Saturday. Dag agrees to assist. If she can’t get freaky, she can ensure someone else does.

Outside, Jaz (Ruaridh Mollica) shows Daniel, Steph and Dag a prop weapon with Eric’s initials, courtesy of the crew. They’re angry. The crew demands to know why there’s a holdup. Is Eric mulling? Adam approaches with a guitar in hand. Apparently, the crew burned his first one, but little did they know that Adam has an endless supply of guitars. Daniel lies to Adam, telling him that Eric doesn’t want him to play. No Flight Mode’s greatest hits tonight, folks.

After this, Daniel and Pat chat about Christopher Nolan’s arrival. Daniel vows to ensure this shoot moves smoothly, especially for Nolan’s visit. Elsewhere, Dag, Steph and Anita talk sex. Steph admits she’s crushing hardcore on Rufus despite their respective marital statuses. Dag is surprised to learn that Steph is married.

Eric sits on the floor in his trailer while staring vacantly at a wooden model of a film set. He wears black-framed glasses and headphones. — THE FRANCHISE Season 1 Episode 6, “Scene 110: Baptism of Fire.” Photo credit: Colin Hutton/HBO.

Overworked and Underpaid

Then, Dag overhears Bryson chatting to his mom about his birthday. She asks him about that and the eyepatch. Bryson explains that he left a contact in for four days, and it’s now fused to his eyeball. That’s what happens when you’re overworked. As for Bryson’s birthday, Pat didn’t even remember to have Bryson buy a birthday card for himself.

Later, Peter plays around with the settings on his wife’s vibrator via his phone, thanks to Dag’s assistance. Anita reveals that while she doesn’t care about his and his wife’s sexual exploits, he’ll have to attend another HR module. After this, Jaz hosts a drawing for the crew to keep their spirits up. Unfortunately, Pat wins. Pat gives them a pep talk that culminates in screaming. That’s how pep talks usually go.

Adam follows hot on Pat’s heels, hoping to rile the crew further and turn them against Eric. How dare he ban all music, specifically from the award-winning upbeat blues group Flight Mode? Eric hears the chant, “F*ck Eric” from inside his trailer. He radios Daniel, informing him he knows how he wants to rework the scene. He’ll relay the changes to Daniel while he watches from inside his trailer.

That’s Hot

Peter’s thrilled because he no longer has a new monologue, simply one line: “It’s a hot day in Hell, and I’m the Devil.” Daniel takes charge and implements Eric’s script edits, ensuring everyone’s ready to film the scene. Thankfully, the scene goes off without a hitch, including the fireball. Side note: Peter’s evil laugh is perfectly evil.

The joy of filmmaking returns to Daniel’s face. You can see what made him fall in love with his profession in the first place. Everyone celebrates. Even Pat’s a happy camper, which, in turn, means the enigmatic Shane will be happy. Anita declares, “That’s hot.” She doesn’t clarify if she’s only referring to the fireball. Hey, it’s a full moon.

Speaking of full moon antics, Steph kisses Rufus. It’s unexpected. Steph awkwardly flees. After the sun rises, a dejected Dag learns that Party Man went home with Breanne. Adam finally plays his music as the crew packs up. Daniel discovers that Dag is 35, and people assume she’s younger because of her great skin and mountains of debt. Same, girl. Same.

Pat wears a navy blue satin jacket with a matching ball cap. He holds a microphone while shouting enthusiastically at a crew on a film set. They're all outside at night. — THE FRANCHISE Season 1 Episode 6, “Scene 110: Baptism of Fire.” Photo credit: Colin Hutton/HBO.

Christopher Nolan

After this, Dag chats up none other than Christopher Nolan and his buddy Tom Cruise. Daniel, Eric and the others watch in disbelief. Dag introduces Bryson, the birthday boy, to the Hollywood hitmakers. Pat tells Anita that Christopher Nolan rejected his advances if Shane asks. It looks like they won’t get CN to direct their next comic book tentpole. The pair also talks about the next shoot, which will be on location in Armenia.

Then, in the mid-credit scene, Pat performs more sound bites for his interview. He incorporates various exercises to get out the perfect line read of “Sparks will fly.” He can direct himself, y’all.

The Franchise drops new episodes every Sunday at 10 pm EST on HBO and Max.

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Melody McCune

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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.

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