TBS' Angie Tribeca - Episode 4.05 "Trader Foes"
Angie and the team go undercover to infiltrate Lowercase Capital, a successful Wall Street-like corporation, in connection with the murder of an eccentric billionaire.
In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows airing amongst the linear channels and streaming services. The way people are consuming content now is so different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, there is less necessity to provide ample coverage of each specific episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site is making the move to shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. Premieres and finales may feature longer reviews. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of TBS' Angie Tribeca.
"Trader Foes" was written by Jessica Conrad and directed by Rebecca Asher
It's just such a joy seeing Bobby Cannavale and Rose Byrne onscreen together. The real-life couple are both tremendous actors who can expertly play both dramatic and comedic roles. This show represents some of the silliest material that either has been asked to play. And yet, both are clearly game for every ridiculous twist. That's what makes this episode the best of the season so far. Sure, it's another episode where AJ takes over the focus of the main plot from his mother. Angie once again becomes a supporting character who just has to make sure that AJ doesn't get too lost in the world of Wall Street. But it's also so much fun seeing the show insist that Wall Street isn't like the way it is depicted in the movies only for the show to completely play up those qualities that have been profoundly on display in film. There is a throwback '80s quality to the design of this story as well. Even though the show is now technically set in the future, it goes back a couple of decades to a time when this world was even more wild and crazy. That hardly seems possible. And yet, the show enjoys the excesses of this life. Sure, it's humorous how Charo doesn't understand any of the period references being made here. AJ really shouldn't either. However, he does because he doesn't come across as the young, 20-something he is suppose to be. He's a guy who has seen a lot in the world and experienced a lot of trauma. As such, he becomes susceptible to the message his new boss Norrah Newt is delivering. Just like the previous episode, there is never any real doubt about the major guest star ultimately being the culprit in the main case. However, it's still mostly just a fun delivering system for Byrne and Cannavale to act opposite each other. Newt brings out a completely different personality with AJ. He suddenly becomes an entitled banker who is proud of all of the deals he is making to personally benefit himself. He is no longer the man who has empathy for the people being taken advantage of so a select few can make their billions. Angie has to remind him that that's who he fundamentally is. It doesn't seem to work either. Newt has simply become too strong an influence on him. That comes after only spending a brief amount of time with her too. But again, it's believable because of the intense and easy chemistry between the two. It's a seduction really. Newt is ensuring that AJ accomplishes great things by her side. She sees them as kindred spirits who can rule the world and disrupt the entire US economy. That's what all of this is about too. It's absolutely nonsensical how Charo and Scholls come to that conclusion as well. Charo just happened to write a paper about the drop in soup and saltines a few years ago. It somehow all connects back to the jean industry which may actually be the sole thing propping up the economy. That's crazy but also so sinister in saying just how easy it could be for this country to go into economic collapse. As such, Newt needs to be stopped before executing her final move. It's an operation that is financed by the French government as well. However, Pierre Cardin doesn't make an appearance here. So, the audience just has to infer that he has a role in all of this. Instead, Newt is taken down simply because she doesn't realize she should stop telling AJ every detail of her plan over and over again. He is obviously recording her and she carelessly doesn't notice until it is too late to do anything about it.
