Before this episode, I had considered 666 Park Avenue to be a stupid show. I know that sounds harsh but the show was wasting its monumental potential with lazy developments and half-cooked plotting. While this hour wasn’t phenomenal by any means, it was nonetheless a much more intelligent episode than what I’m usually accustomed to with this show.
It would do 666 a lot of good to make Gavin and Olivia the defacto leads of the show. Jane and Henry are just much too bland to really push the story forward and at least the Dorans have an air of mystery to them that suits the show. I loved the revelation that Olivia’s “obsessive lover” is imprisoned inside Gavin’s stolen box. It’s actually the most fascinating development on the show yet.
I’m also glad that the show finally has a full-on antagonist in Victor Shaw. He’s a compelling and creepy enough presence now that Gavin is sort of assuming the role of our antihero. I like my characters with shades of grey so it will be interesting to see the war between these two magnates (given the show lasts a couple of episodes at least). In addition, I like the fact that the writers brought back a previous plot point in the form of Kandinski whom Gavin brilliantly lets loose from prison using his deal with Dr. Evans. Now that’s a smart turn of events.
Finally, while Jane and Henry are still as exciting as a slice of toast, I was at least intrigued by the wedge that was driven between them in this episode. I actually felt sorry for Jane as she begged for Henry to believe that she “sees things.” It was a well-acted scene and sort of heartbreaking that Henry has so little faith in his wife.
Sinister Snippets
– The flashbacks of Jane reliving the attack were tedious. It only happened last week, I think we remember!
– A head in a box. How charming.
– The cop guy could be an interesting addition to the show. His name eludes me though…
– Finally, Jane knows about her link to the building as she discovers who her grandmother is. It’s about time she gets proactive (although she did uncover this information by mistake again).
Conclusion
This episode was much stronger than the last few offerings. There may be hope that 666 Park Avenue goes out with a bang after all.
Nad Rating
B+