Surprises and Alliances. Review: Graceland - “Happy Endings”

Season 1, Episode 11

Air Date: Thursday, September 5, 2013, 10/9c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

“What’s in the car, Briggs?” – Jakes

Will Mike be able to find the car before Briggs?

Whoever said “Dead men tell no tales” obviously hasn’t seen “Happy Endings” where the race to find Juan’s (Pedro Pascal) car is on. In it is believed to be a recording that will shed light on his disappearance. Will Briggs (Daniel Sunjuta) be able to find it before Mike (Aaron Tveit) does, and no matter who locates it, what will they discover?

For weeks, I have struggled to appreciate Graceland because of all the plot twists that I found infuriating. I’ve watched Briggs spin and manipulate things for his own hidden agenda but the turning point for me came when Juan, dressed as Jangles, approached Briggs. Nobody blames Briggs for what happened because of all the lies and manipulation that lead up to the tragic event.

Paige seeking the truth. Will she like what she finds?

I’m glad Paige (Serinda Swan) has gotten over feeling betrayed by Mike’s confession and decided that getting to the truth is more important. In the past, I felt Paige was around just to give the boys a woman in a bikini to ogle and chase. I enjoy watching the chemistry between her and Mike, and appreciate how much she has grown over the last few episodes…while still looking great in a bikini.

While the overall tone of “Happy Endings” is serious, it is also one of the more amusing episodes of Graceland. The props Paige and Mike use while trying to find Juan’s car gave me a few good chuckles. I also found it comical when various characters keep showing up when you least expect it and at the worst possible times. Not to mention how fun it is to see Mike finally get the best of Briggs.

It’s about time Jakes (Brandon Jay McLaren) gets to play more of a participating role in “Happy Endings” than he has in other episodes. Too often, his storylines distance him from everyone at Graceland, making him seem to be more alone than necessary.

Jakes: “Just because I keep to myself doesn’t make me an asshole.”

Paige: “I know.”

Jakes: “And when I do stick my neck out, this shit happens. Whatever the hell this is.”

Will Briggs find the car before Mike?

It would have been nice if Sunjuta and McLaren had had more scenes together throughout the season because watching them play off each other is fascinating. While the scenes are well written, I was more riveted by the level of disappointment portrayed in Jakes’ eyes and the sheer terror and confusion in Briggs’ as he confesses to what he had done. Jakes’ overall reaction surprised me, making me wonder what Mike would say if Briggs had the same honest talk with him.

Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito) is becoming more of a mystery to me as the season winds down. Part of me thinks she is fully aware Cortes (Vincent Laresca) is Jangles and simply sees him as a necessary evil in order to find Odin. At other times, though, I wonder if her intense focus on Odin causes her to be oblivious to what’s around her. As I mentioned in my other Graceland reviews, I felt a piece of the story involving Charlie and Whistler’s (Christopher Redman) friendship was missing, and I feel it again in “Happy Endings” with the flashbacks of Whistler when Charlie lets off some steam. Her frustration and drive seem more appropriate for someone other than just a junkie informant friend when he overdoses. I hope we get to see more of their backstory if Graceland is renewed for a second season.

As penultimate episodes go, “Happy Endings” leaves us with Graceland as a house divided, and with many questions to be answered in next week’s season finale, I have a feeling we’re in for one hell of a ride.

Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “Happy Endings.”

Tune in to the season finale of Graceland Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 10/9c, only on USA Network.

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.

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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.