Mikes Film Talk

Death and Other Details episode 7 is an Alice in Wonderland trip down memory lane for Imogene. She literally walks a mile in Rufus “The Hack” Cotesworth’s shoes. Although in terms of total distance, she walks much further. In Eps 7: “Memories” Rufus is Cheshire Cat, sans creepy grin. Although Viktor Sams can also be seen as the stripped orange feline, but he never appears.

At least not yet.

Walk a mile in my shoes

Imogene (Violett Beane) begins her trip, but not as Alice falling down the rabbit hole and landing in wonderland. Instead she finds herself in a city apartment. She wakes with all the sounds connected to such a domicile. She has a very disconcerting moment when looking into, first, the coffee maker and then the mirror. As she recoils, we see Rufus. He is seated in his flat and plays the role of Coach. A Cheshire Cat moment sans grin.

He explains what is happening throughout Imogene’s return to events over a decade ago. She interacts with everyone. Danny/Keith is the first of Rufus’s memories to prod Imogene in the right direction.

Walking a mile as Alice in Wonderland, Imogene must explore all the details. This has to be done. She must learn what was staring Rufus in the face and discover who murdered her mother.

Sheer Genius

The walking in someone’s shoes template works brilliantly. As plot mechanisms go, this one rocks. Utilizing an Alice in Wonderland scenario is a genius move. This makes the journey a slightly confusing ride for Imogene. We learn so much about the initial investigation and the interaction between Rufus and all the suspects.

Everything works against what we are prepared to see. The episode starts on land, in the middle of a city. Imogene wakes, just as muddled as we are. The viewer asks, “What is this doing here?” For a split second, we think the mystery has moved on without us.

Imogene morphs into Rufus repeatedly. All the while learning just a little bit more about his investigation all those years ago. As much as she becomes Rufus, she also changes locales. One moment she is in Cotesworth’s office, the next in the Diner with her dead mother. This Alice (Imogene) makes an allegorical journey into a twisting and, at least once, unpleasant Wonderland.

Ultimately, Imogenes walk in Rufus’ shoes lead her to clues that will ultimately reveal who killed her mother. Viktor Sams has been the main suspect for a long time. The next episode may well give a face to the evil name.

A different Cheshire Cat with an wicked and knowing grin.

*Kudos to Beane and Sophia Reid-Gantzert as grown and 11 year old Violet respectively. The two are beyond excellent.

Death and Other Details streams Tuesdays on Hulu. Check this latest episode out .