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Strippers in a Bouncy House. Review: Graceland – “King’s Castle”

Season 1, Episode 10

Air Date: Thursday, August 22, 2013, 10/9c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

“I’ve been investigating you for the last three months.” – Mike

Mike returns wondering what they know.

With Bello (Gbenga Akinnagbe) in jail and Juan (Pedro Pascal), the obsessed FBI agent behind Mike’s (Aaron Tveit) investigation into Briggs (Daniel Sunjuta), dead, you might think “King’s Castle” would give the Graceland agents a moment to relax and recover. You would be wrong.

What makes “King’s Castle” so interesting is until now, Graceland has focused on the lies and their consequences. Now, we find Mike and Briggs dealing with the fallout of telling the truth and doing the right thing.

After recuperating from his stab wound, Mike returns to Graceland unsure of what, if anything, Paige (Serinda Swan) has told the other roommates about his confession. Meanwhile, Briggs tries to come to terms with shooting Jangles, or so he thinks. Looking at the dead body, Briggs declares, “You were just some guy. I pictured you as a monster.” It is fascinating how the writers set things up to justify Briggs’ actions. I wonder what his reaction will be when he finds out the man he killed isn’t even Jangles.

Will Charlie find Odin before Jangles does?

Enough credit isn’t given to Vanessa Ferlito (Charlie) for her intense acting. Watching her portrayal of Charlie evolve into a leader in the house has been enjoyable to watch and while her hunt for Odin has been relentless, she displays a kind, caring side when it comes to protecting Mike. I also think Charlie knows Cortes (Vincent Laresca), the Mexican federale, is Jangles but is willing to let it slide for now if it means finding Odin.

Manny Montana, who plays Johnny, also continues to impress. Often, his character has gone back and forth between providing the comedic element to being serious. “King’s Castle” gives us both, including a powerful performance by Montana during Johnny’s speech to everyone at the house after the birthday party he planned for Jakes (Brandon Jay McLaren). What helps make it powerful is the writers have shown signs of Johnny’s frustration building over several episodes so when he goes off on everyone, you feel his irritation, and your heart breaks for him.

This brings me to my one complaint about “King’s Castle”—the subplot involving Jakes. He has been absent for much of this season and when we do see him, he comes across as standoffish. Finally, when given a story with such emotion, Jakes is unable to connect with the audience. What should be a heartfelt moment leaves me with no vested interest in the outcome.

11 stitches, a new house record.

Part of me was hoping Bello would ask Mike during their sit-down whether Briggs was also FBI just to test him. Imagine Mike thinking it would be ok to confirm that, not knowing Briggs is also Odin.

For much of the season, Briggs has been five steps ahead of everyone and now his actions are more reactions to everything going on and out of his control. Sunjuta gives an amazing performance and makes you really feel the emotional toll it’s taking his character.

I was captivated by the ending of “King’s Castle.” So many of the Graceland episodes have revolved around lies and here, we have a rare moment where Mike and Briggs are totally honest with each other, making things even worse. It is such a calm scene yet it blows the mind because this is the scene we have been waiting for since the season premiere. The way Sunjata and Tveit play off each other is stellar and I could feel my brain exhaling after several weeks of thinking, “Finally he knows.”

Later, Mike confides in Paige about his conversation with Briggs:

Paige: “So, why did you tell Briggs you were investigating him?”

Mike: “I told Briggs because I wanted to see the look on his face when I said the name ‘Juan Badillo.’”

Paige: “And what did you see?”

Mike: “He had no idea who he was.”

The cutaway to Briggs during that conversation is jaw dropping as Briggs is able to put some of the pieces together.

Before the Pilot, I had a chance to talk with Terry Goldman, Director of Social Media for USA Network. We discussed the ride the audience would be on this season and he assured me it would “all pay off in the end.” He was right. Despite all the twists and turns, which, at times, drove me nuts, I love where Graceland is now. With two episodes remaining, I can’t wait to see how the show ends the season.

For more information on Graceland, visit the official website.

Follow Graceland on Twitter.

Follow the stars of Graceland on Twitter: @DanielGRACELAND, @MannyMontana, @SwanSerinda, and @brandojay.

LIKE Graceland on Facebook.

All photos © 2013 USA Network, a division of NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.