[Update] The review of this episode was published before the episode aired (airing date in March 20 on Sunday) ergo, the review on The Family has been updated to a preview. Mike’s Film Talk apologizes for any massive spoilers that may have been published. The review will go back up on “the day.”
In The Family: Feathers or Steel Hank’s life is made a misery after Adam’s mother calls him a monster on television. Hearing breaking glass in the middle of the night, the man discovers a broken window and later he finds “monster” spray painted on his garage.
The episode begins with the camera panning through a house that has been trashed as the result of a fight. There is blood on the floor and Joan Allen’s Mayor Warren asks, via voice-over, whether the viewer is made of feathers or steel.
By the end of the episode there is no doubt about what Claire Warren has inside of her; it is steel.
Another child is taken and the police have a lead this time, it is similar to how Adam was taken. In a flashback sequence Claire Warren (Joan Allen) visits Hank Asher in prison. The newly elected Mayor asks him to tell her where Adam’s body is.
A short while later, Warren shows some of that steel when she allows her cold and controlling side out.
Detective Meyer (Margo Bingham) and Agent Clements (Matthew Lawler) search for the white van and stop to look for the suspect.
Hank covers his broken window with cardboard and goes out to scrub the word “monster” off his garage door. It is an action he will soon have cause to regret.
Bridey (Floriana Lima) stops by the Warren’s house saying she left her phone in Danny’s room. Willa reluctantly lets her in. Cruz then heads to Adam’s room looking for evidence.
In the present, Claire Warren shows more of that steel when she proves to the governor that she is a real threat to his post. Danny (Zach Gilford) breaks into Bridey’s apartment after her intrusion into his family home.
Claire Warren may well be steel because of her role as a mother, but when one sees the woman “on the attack” it appears that this is her natural state of being, mother-hood be damned. This is a very dark program. The characters all have flaws and secrets that, when added up, equal a pretty unhappy world, even before the kidnapping.
Allen’s character is definitely steely. Warren may care deeply for her returned son, but the woman is cold and controlling.
There is a focus on what lies beneath in this series. The episode moves the story forward but also asks who these people are underneath their facades. Warren is steel and so too, it seems is Danny. Adam is the big question mark, what is the significance of that key and his apparent attraction to Hank. Is this Adam, the Adam?
It seems highly unlikely and by the end of this episode, more things may be revealed, but the answers are still far from being answered.
The performances of all the actors are spot on. Allen, as usual, shines in her role of political mother and the newest member to the cast, Matthew Lawler is excellent. The writing may be too heavy for some but the dialogue between Clements and Meyer is perfectly pitched, down to Lawler’s delivery no doubt.
Major kudos to Alison Pill who makes Willa Warren a mass of mixed up emotions and motivations.
The Family airs Thursdays on ABC. Be prepared for some surprises.
Discover more from Mikes Film Talk
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
