Review: Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Ep. 9 “Sing, Sing, Sing” – A Tough Episode to Watch

Penny Dreadful - City of Angels key art - Showtime

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Season 1, Episode 9 “Sing, Sing, Sing”

Air Date: Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 10PM E/P

Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars ★★★★★

“You make me your friend, it’s for life.” – Benny Berman

The beginning of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels penultimate episode, “Sing, Sing, Sing,” starts off with a warning from Showtime – The following program contains subject matter that some may find difficult to watch. Viewer discretion advised. It’s disturbingly eerie how the contents of the entire season thus far mirrors what’s happening in our present day, yet the series is set in 1938. History continues to repeat itself with social injustice and inequality, prejudices, and good old-fashioned racism.

I’m sure when John Logan created this incarnation of Penny Dreadful, he never imagined it would air during the height of a racial divide during a global pandemic. Sometimes, things happen for a reason and perhaps it takes a show like Penny Dreadful: City of Angels to bring the past to light so we can truly see.

Throughout “Sing, Sing, Sing,” we have a front row seat to how prejudice and hatred can tear someone down. But it’s in the strength of a Mexican mother that glimmers of hope can be found. Maria Vega (Adrianna Barraza) is looked down upon by her new German mistress, Elsa (Natalie Dormer), as she kneels on the floor to wipe up purposefully spilled orange juice. And even though Elsa tries to goad her while she’s in a vulnerable position, Maria doesn’t waver. After Elsa says, “I so hoped we could be friends,” Maria’s reply makes me smile. “You might as well howl to the moon.” Be careful, Maria. This bitch is wily.

At the end of last week’s episode, “Hide and Seek,” Detectives Lewis Michener (Nathan Lane) and Tiago Vega (Daniel Zavatto) were nearly gunned down by an unknown assailant. Of course, Lewis believes it’s the work of the Nazis; one in particular – Richard Goss (Thomas Kretschmann). I fear for Lewis, especially after he confronts Goss. The things that Goss knows about Lewis’ family – his children, his grandchildren – it puts a chill down my spine. My trigger finger was getting itchy as Lewis picked up his service weapon from the table. But killing one man wouldn’t solve the problem.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Ep. 9 Sing Sing Sing - Showtime 002 — Thomas Kretschmann as Richard Goss in PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS, “Sing, Sing, Sing”. Photo Credit: Warrick Page/SHOWTIME.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Ep. 9 Sing Sing Sing - Showtime 001 — Thomas Kretschmann as Richard Goss in PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS, “Sing, Sing, Sing”. Photo Credit: Warrick Page/SHOWTIME.

Councilman Charlton Townsend (Michael Gladis) must do something he never thought he would do – ask his father, Jerome Townsend (the late Brian Dennehy) for help with his beloved motorway. Only a mountain of talent like Dennehy would be convincing enough to portray Townsend’s father who has been painted as a tyrant of a man. Sitting behind a desk, you must exude a magnitude of presence for the audience feel the omnipotence that would make even a large man like Charlton Townsend cower just by being in the same room.

The conversation Jerome has with his son takes an interesting turn when they talk about the future of Los Angeles:

“The future, as you so grandly put it, isn’t in your motorways, that’s all inevitable. The future is up there [pointing to the ceiling] – aviation. I already own most of Mines airport over in Inglewood and the land around it, and I’m working on a bond issue to add more runways and terminals and make it the central airport for all of Los Angeles. When the war comes, which it will, military’s going to be pouring a fortune into aviation. All that technology will be trickling down into the private sector, so after the war, planes are gonna get bigger, cheaper, faster, flying longer routes, nonstop from LA to New York, right over all those motorways of yours. So, you’ll understand why the company can’t spare too much worry about your little road.”

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Ep. 9 Sing Sing Sing - Showtime 003 — Brian Dennehy as Jerome Townsend in PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS, “Sing, Sing, Sing”. Photo Credit: Warrick Page/SHOWTIME.

After Charlton practically begs his father for his support, Jerome’s next statement is both ominous and prophetic: “You’ve already lost. Unless those Mexicans start rioting and killing a bunch of white folk; Beverly Beck has run the table. She gets her route for the motorway. You get recalled.” Then adding insult to injury, “Do let me make one thing inescapably clear. The reason I’m not supporting you isn’t because you’re a fat, ugly queer. It’s because you’re weak, and I never back a losing horse.”

Do Jerome and Miss Adelaide (Amy Madigan) go to the same parenting classes on how to treat your children like shit? Parent of the Year Awards, right?

As Gladis tweeted live during the airing of the episode on Sunday, June 21, 2020, Dennehy filmed this episode in late February 2020 and passed away in April 2020. It’s a bittersweet episode in more ways than one. The episode is dedicated to the late actor; he truly was a tremendous actor, one of a kind.

Lewis pays a visit to the Jewish muscle, Benny Berman (Brad Garrett), asking for his help but doesn’t exactly say what it is. Benny lets Lewis know, “You make me your friend, it’s for life.” Some friendships aren’t meant to last that long. It seems Lewis knows he needs to add more protection and to hide the young brilliant Caltech scientist Brian Koenig (Kyle McArthur). And Dottie (Lin Shaye) learns Brian has finished his plans for the rocket that Goss wants and is now working on something a lot more dangerous.

Back at the precinct, Lewis is tasked with getting Diego (Adan Rocha) ready for prison transfer to San Quentin. As they get into the police wagon, cameras wait to get a photo of the “King of San Quentin,” aka the cop killer and murder of the Hazlett Family. I have a bad feeling about this road trip to Union Station.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Ep. 9 Sing Sing Sing - Showtime 004 — (L-R): Nathan Lane as Lewis Michener and Adan Rocha as Diego Lopez in PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS, “Sing, Sing, Sing”. Photo Credit: Warrick Page/SHOWTIME.

While this didn’t take up much time in this episode, it’s important to note that Peter and Elsa take the boys out to the movies to see Robin Hood. Frank seems to be less creepy, but I know it’s all a facade that the evil Elsa (aka Magda) has put on for Peter’s sake. Magda’s interest in Peter is becoming a bit clearer. He’s a member of the Krupp family that creates weapons for the Third Reich. Perhaps she thinks by corrupting Peter, he’ll bring his family’s weapons factory to America which would help the prophecy come to fruition.

Raul (Adam Rodriguez) is at his neighborhood pub near the bus stop where his mother gets home from work. As they walk home, he tells her, “Ever since the hospital, nothing feels the same. It’s like I have some kind of purpose now, but I don’t know what it is.” We don’t know either, Raul. Why did Santa Muerte (Lorenza Izzo) save you? What does she have in store for you?

A night on the town at The Crimson Cat seems to be on the entire Vega family’s minds. Raul and Maria arrive then run into Josefina (Jessica Garza) sporting her new red locks. Then the crowd parts to let the Pachuca Queen Rio (Natalie Dormer) and her two kings, Mateo (Jonathan Nieves) and Fly Rico (Sebastian Chacon) glide their way in. Rio is very disrespectful saying things like “he’s a man now, take it from me” in front of Maria and Raul. But as Maria said, “He’s dressed like a man. That doesn’t make you a man.”

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Ep. 9 Sing Sing Sing - Showtime 005 — (L-R): Adriana Barraza as Maria Vega and Adam Rodriguez as Raul Vega in PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS, “Sing, Sing, Sing”. Photo Credit: Warrick Page/SHOWTIME.

The night isn’t complete until Tiago comes in The Crimson Cat with Molly (Kerry Bishé) and things get loud and awkward. Maria figures out who Molly is – Sister Molly from the Temple that Josefina now worships. Then Josefina sees Molly and learns she’s dating her brother Tiago. Mateo sees Tiago whom he hasn’t seen since Officer Reilly’s (Rod McLachlan) murder. The conversation turns heated until Tiago stands up to defend himself and Molly, the woman he loves. It’s a poignant moment that will surely have a ripple effect.

Maria’s response to Tiago’s declaration of love for a “gringa” and his admission to not believing in “God” or “Santa Muerte” is a bit peculiar but I guess the writers needed the segue. “Jesus. You should have been a priest…Three sons and no priest…” Then Mateo says while looking at Josefina, “Maybe she’s the priest.” Perhaps something profoundly religious is destined for Josefina’s future.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Ep. 9 Sing Sing Sing - Showtime 006 — (L-R): Johnathan Nieves as Mateo Vega, Sebastian Chacon as Fly Rico and Natalie Dormer as Rio in PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS, “Sing, Sing, Sing”. Photo Credit: Warrick Page/SHOWTIME.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Ep. 9 Sing Sing Sing - Showtime 008 — (L-R): Johnathan Nieves as Mateo Vega, Sebastian Chacon as Fly Rico and Natalie Dormer as Rio in PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS, “Sing, Sing, Sing”. Photo Credit: Warrick Page/SHOWTIME.

The Vegas take their family reunion to the dance floor, but as they dance, the scene cuts to the police wagon taking Diego to Union Station. As the trumpets play, the white cops ambush Lewis, restraining him. The white officers take Diego and put a noose around his neck. As Diego screams, looking to Lewis for help, there is nothing that can be done. The episode ends with a brief shot of Diego swinging then cuts to Rio scowling as she watches the Vega family dancing and laughing.

So much happens in “Sing, Sing, Sing,” but it’s this final scene of poor Diego that haunts me. It’s time for a change. This season of Penny Dreadful casts a bright light on America’s dark past. It shows us how history has a terrible way of repeating itself and until we fight back and make a change, social injustice, social inequality, prejudice and racism will continue to pollute this country and the world.

The season finale is Sunday, June 28, 2020, you don’t want to miss it!

Rest in Peace, Brian Dennehy and to all the men and women who’ve lost their lives at the hands of racism, social injustice, and prejudice.

**Tune into the season finale of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at 10PM E/P on Showtime.**

For more, go to https://www.sho.com/penny-dreadful-city-of-angels

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.