FOX's The Cool Kids - Episode 1.06 "TV Heist"
Hank and Margaret miss out on the coveted prize of a new 65" flat screen TV. So, the gang attempts to steal the TV - which means breaking into Allison's office after locking her and Sid in the sauna.
In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of FOX's The Cool Kids.
"TV Heist" was written by Michael Lisbe & Nate Reger and directed by Katy Garretson
The main conflict at the heart of this episode may not be all that original but it is still amusing and allows the audience to get even more of an insight into the lives of the characters. It's so obvious that Hank isn't doing well after learning that his ex-wife is marrying the man she cheated on him with. It's actually pretty devastating to him. Of course, it led to him living in this retirement community and becoming friends with Charlie, Sid and Margaret. The rest of the group understands that he needs to express his emotions. He can't just keep all of this anger inside. Then, it will come out in the most inappropriate way. Of course, this show has always told its stories through the lens of these characters during outrageous things in this community. And so, it too was always inevitable that things were about to go to an extreme and broad place to find the emotions at the core of this story. It's all because Margaret convinces Sid and Charlie to go along with whatever Hank suggests to do. She understands what he is going through because she was also cheated on by her husband who has since gotten remarried. She knows that it's difficult for him to express his emotions because he's a man. She knows that Sid won't convince him to open up about how he's truly feeling. So instead, everything revolves around winning this television that is being raffled off at the community. Hank needs to win it. He doesn't. He loses out to Gorgeous George who doesn't even need it. He has been an amusing addition to the show in these last two episodes because he's a guy who actually attacks the main characters with snide comments about their priorities in this world. He has the money to buy whatever he wants. He doesn't need this television. But he wins anyway. That's why Hank thinks it's his responsibility to steal it while it is still locked away in Allison's office. His friends understand that he's trying to fill this emotional void in his life with a television. It won't work but they see the value in giving him a significant win right now. Of course, Hank is also abusive to his friends as well. He locks Sid in the sauna with Allison simply because he is uncomfortable by Sid's attempts to get him to open up. He then just completely forgets about them. Sid and Allison are trapped in there all night. Neither of them really make any progress on their various issues either. Sid doesn't help Allison overcome her jealousy of her sister. But that's perfectly fine too because Allison walks away with a win too. She is more than forgiving even though the residents of this community should have some basic respect for her as she is trying to look out for all of them. Meanwhile, Hank eventually becomes aware that Margaret and Charlie are only helping him out of pity. He doesn't want them to pity him and his depressing life. He enjoys the dynamic they have. He knows something is up because Margaret isn't calling him a moron anymore. When she eventually does that, it's actually an endearing phrase that proves that the two of them do have a solid camaraderie. That too is very appreciated. Hank is grateful to have friends who care about him and can understand what he's going through even when he is too proud to actually talk about it. And in the end, he doesn't even get the television. It inevitably ends up broken on the floor. That too seems just about right for this show.
