The Get Down Boys apply their skills in a dicey situation as Zeke hurries to make a meeting. Mylene's quest for a contract takes an unexpected turn.
There was definitely a sigh of relief upon the realization that "You Have Wings, Learn to Fly" was only 52 minutes long. That's still a long time for any TV show. But it's the shortest episode of The Get Down so far. It's 10 minutes shorter than the previous episode was. It also corrects all of the problems from the forth episode. It's lighter and more fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously. It's as if the show has finally had the realization that it doesn't need to go as long as possible in order to tell as much story as they possibly can. Cutting down forces hard decisions to be made. A shorter running time always the creative team to focus on the stories that are actually important. That happens in stride throughout this episode. It's aware of just how important Zeke and Mylene's stories are right now. It's choosing not to be distracted by trivial things. Yes, there are still cutaways to the gang storyline that makes no sense whatsoever. But this is the first episode that feels completely consistent and meaningful as a whole.The characters were in some dark places at the close of the previous episode. Mylene and Francisco were realizing just how bad a job Jackie has done in writing a song. Meanwhile, Zeke and Shaolin failed to catch the bootlegger and have run afoul of a new gang. The action picks up immediately from those moments. It's a very interesting stylistic choice to intercut the reactions to both of those moments. It's fun to watch these main characters struggle to find a way out of the mess they are in. But it's also so exciting because it's the exact kind of urgency they needed in order to find so much creative energy. Through a performance, Zeke is able to share his story to the crowd of people. He is able to talk about the pain and bad judgment they've had in the past. But it also leads to the rousing reveal that they aren't the bootleggers. They even expose the person truly responsible. That contrasts nicely with the brotherly argument happening across town. Francisco and Mylene aren't able to completely lose it on Jackie because Ramon and Lydia walk in. They didn't hear the terrible performance. But Ramon still lets loose on how troubled his daughter has become because of Francisco, Jackie and her friends. Yes, part of the scene plays as Francisco finally revealing more of Ramon's tragic backstory. In his past, he got two girls pregnant at the same time and was in prison for a little while. But these scenes work so well because Jackie needs to pull a song out of nothing and is able to do so because he is inspired by the big emotions that surround him in the room.
Music is incredibly personal. Jackie wasn't able to write a hit song for Mylene because he was doing so isolated in a hotel room using drugs to cover up any real feelings and emotions. He wasn't able to give Francisco or Mylene anything because he was under so much pressure and the spotlight was on him. When the song finally flows out of him, it's because he's trying to fix the broken Cruz family. They are fractured into so many different pieces right now. In fact, they have never been unified on the show. They all have different ideas of what they lives should be. It has allowed for some great dream. But it's also so rewarding to see the family finally come together as one. Ramon has finally seen the light and will let his daughter pursue a music career - just as long as she comes home. Jackie was able to convince him that disco music doesn't need to be bad. As long as the message is right, it can be so empowering. It really is a fantastic musical moment for Mylene too. In the beginning, Jackie is just imagining the performance. He's providing details that can help convince the audience that this can be a great, unifying idea. But it turns out, it's a real moment. Everything comes together. Mylene really does get to make a record. Zeke supports her on piano, Yolanda and Regina sing backup, and the church provides wonderful acoustics. Everyone is very happy with how the record turned out. The family is now united. Now, they just need to figure out how to release it to the public while maintaining complete control over Mylene's career. That's an exciting prospect.
Music is also incredibly personal to Zeke. It's because of his passion that he is able to get out of the precarious situation at the top of the episode. But now, the crew will have a DJ battle with the Notorious Three to determine who is able to survive in this harsh and competitive community. It's a fantastic set up for the final portion of this half-season. It allows the series to focus on one core idea and frames every character interaction and motivation around that. It's something that excites the whole crew. It demands all of their full attentions. That becomes problematic because music isn't the only thing in their lives. As Grandmaster Flash notes, he doesn't care whatever else is going on in the lives of his grasshopper and his wings. It's completely irrelevant. If music is something they seriously care about, they need to prepare for this battle. They need to bring it unlike anything they have ever done before. That boost in confidence really uplifts so many of the characters throughout the episode. Yes, it's lame that Zeke is late to his internship. But it's also fantastic that he gets motivated to show up the next day and demand to be taken seriously. He has plans for the future. He wants to escape the Bronx. Sure, part of that motivation is escaping with Mylene. But it's still important nevertheless.
Of course, the majority of "You Have Wings, Learn to Fly" is just preparation for this DJ battle. It's the whole crew getting ready for this big event. It's a huge moment for them. It will determine what their futures in music will be. They need to bring their A-game. It is exciting to see all five of those characters be given specific moments of importance as well. At times this season, the crew's story has just been about Zeke or Shaolin. They are the only ones who matter. Dizzee has had some solid moments as well. But Ra-Ra and Boo-Boo are indistinguishable from each other. That's what makes it so exciting once the crew figures out the logistics of their performance. Ra-Ra gets the big idea to have everyone perform. Zeke can write them each a section that can highlight just how strong they are together. It's what will make them unique. It's what will lead to victory over the Notorious Three's far superior equipment. Zeke is a wordsmith who can come up with rhythms off the top of his head. It's a very impressive skill. Dizzee is a natural performer like that as well. Meanwhile, Boo-Boo is able to sing-rap his verse in a very entertaining fashion. However, Ra-Ra really struggles. All he needs is to double the beat and then he can spit the verse out as quick as possible. It's such a fun and exciting moment. It really does a great job at setting up this big confrontation in the midseason finale.
When the show shifts away from the music though, it becomes really lackluster. The show has gotten better at that balance as the show has gone on. And yet, it's just so hard to care about the crime story. It's something that Shaolin has gotten wrapped up in because he needs to make money. It's something that he just needs to do - much like Zeke needs to take this internship seriously. It hasn't taken up too much screen time. But it's also hard to care about any big moment that happens with it because it's difficult to understand what the audience is suppose to care about. So, Annie is looking for the person responsible for shooting up her club. That's the person that Boo-Boo finds at the end of the episode. Delivering him to Annie could prove very beneficial to Shaolin moving forward. But again, why is that so important? Why does that have to be the moment this episode ends on? It's not a tantalizing tease for what's going to happen next. It just suggests that the criminal elements will compromise the crew's big performance. And that just feels like a needlessly contrived element right now.
Some more thoughts:
- "You Have Wings, Learn to Fly" was written by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld and directed by Michael Dinner.
- Yeah, there is definitely something going on between Dizzee and Thor. They just met an episode ago. But now, Dizzee is running all over town trying to find him again. He sees his artwork everywhere but can't reconnect with the guy.
- The love triangle between Francisco, Lydia and Ramon is heating up. She is just so happy that her family has been reunited and they are all happy again. And yet, she isn't able to get those words out because Francisco puts his hand on her knee - and moves up slightly.
- Mylene's musical ambitions have always been about her getting out of the Bronx. But now, she's faced with the prospect of potentially helping her friends escape as well. It's just odd that she figures she can do that with Yolanda and Regina but not Zeke.
- The animosity between Mylene and Shaolin is still present as well. He doesn't care for her record until the dance break happens. He likes that beat and wants to use it in the DJ battle. But she just doesn't understand the music that the crew is trying to produce right now - which thus creates conflict.
- The moment where the crew is disagreeing over whether they can put "mother fucker" in their performance or not was very weird. And yet, the effect they come up with as a solution is very cool.
- The crime element also feels like a distraction because Annie and Cadillac fear that Shaolin and his crew stole the turn table and some other equipment during the blackout. They didn't but that could create tension just because of the miscommunication.
- Dizzee is really into Mylene's song. Like really into it.
As noted in previous reviews from this series, every episodic review was written without having seen any succeeding episodes. Similarly, it would be much appreciated if in the comments, the conversation would only revolve around the show up to this point in its run.
