Culprits Episode 1 & 2 Thoughts
Jan. 2nd, 2026 10:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
iariaEpisode 1
So far I'm enjoying it.
+ I like Joe. I like how despite his past he comes off as a stand up guy. I like his integrity in once he commits to something he stays committed.
+ I think the acting is good.
+ I like Joe/Jules and the family Joe has built.
+ I'm intrigued by the heist plot in the past.
+ The entire bodyguard scene was great. I always appreciate competence especially when stylish. There's one moment when Joe grabs a guy from behind, stabs him in the neck then spins around with a small dramatic flourish of his coat as he drags the Don away and wow, it was very hot.
+ I was wincing throughout Joe's bag retrieve escapade. The bag strap piece left behind on the fence, the weirdness of the hollow tree and rope that will be found, the so many chances for there to have been witnesses. He appears to have gotten away clean but I feel like something there is going to come back around to haunt him.
+ All the passive-aggressive racism Joe kept facing was uncomfortable and infuriating.
Episode 2
+ I loved the Joe/Kyle conversation. I loved the juxtaposition of Kyle thinking he has all the power in the room - with his money, his political position, his whiteness and belonging in the town, his connections - against knowing the truth about Joe and that he could kill Kyle so easily. And of course Kyle isn't wrong that he has most of the power - he can ruin Joe's business, he could blow up the family Joe is trying to create, and do it all easily, even do it inadvertantly - and thus Joe is in a difficult position. But all the same there's this knowledge hovering below everything that Kyle doesn't have all the power even if he doesn't yet know it. That if he pushes too much, causes too much damage Joe could easily kill him. I loved the tension of that.
+ I also liked Joe pointing out that the system was made to protect Kyle, that he actually hadn't done anything wrong and if he just admitted the truth he'd likely be completely fine.
+ I continue to like Joe/Jules. I loved Jules confronting him about keeping secrets and that they need to be partners. I just wish that Joe had been truthful at least about Kyle and his machinations. Keeping those kind of secrets never ends well.
+ I guess Joe and Jules have been together for quite awhile because Joe has with Jules's kids Frankie and Bud what is clearly a very close and loving relationship. They're sweet.
+ I admit I had a moment of :/ when Joe was telling little girl Frankie that she was an apex predator so she didn't need to worry.
+ I really like Officer. Her personality is very engaging and her interactions with Joe are fun. I like that she enjoys what she does.
+ Dianne is a little scary and very shady. I like that in a woman but I don't think Joe should trust her for a second. Maybe this Culprits murder spree is her finally cleaning up loose ends.
+ I like that Joe has a reason for his always stop and pay attention at intersections habit instead of it simply being a quirk.
+ I definitely felt bad for Philip. He seemed pretty kind tbh. I'd easily buy that impression is deceptive and he's a shitty person but as is poor dude. And poor Joe being put in that situation.
So far I'm enjoying it.
+ I like Joe. I like how despite his past he comes off as a stand up guy. I like his integrity in once he commits to something he stays committed.
+ I think the acting is good.
+ I like Joe/Jules and the family Joe has built.
+ I'm intrigued by the heist plot in the past.
+ The entire bodyguard scene was great. I always appreciate competence especially when stylish. There's one moment when Joe grabs a guy from behind, stabs him in the neck then spins around with a small dramatic flourish of his coat as he drags the Don away and wow, it was very hot.
+ I was wincing throughout Joe's bag retrieve escapade. The bag strap piece left behind on the fence, the weirdness of the hollow tree and rope that will be found, the so many chances for there to have been witnesses. He appears to have gotten away clean but I feel like something there is going to come back around to haunt him.
+ All the passive-aggressive racism Joe kept facing was uncomfortable and infuriating.
Episode 2
+ I loved the Joe/Kyle conversation. I loved the juxtaposition of Kyle thinking he has all the power in the room - with his money, his political position, his whiteness and belonging in the town, his connections - against knowing the truth about Joe and that he could kill Kyle so easily. And of course Kyle isn't wrong that he has most of the power - he can ruin Joe's business, he could blow up the family Joe is trying to create, and do it all easily, even do it inadvertantly - and thus Joe is in a difficult position. But all the same there's this knowledge hovering below everything that Kyle doesn't have all the power even if he doesn't yet know it. That if he pushes too much, causes too much damage Joe could easily kill him. I loved the tension of that.
+ I also liked Joe pointing out that the system was made to protect Kyle, that he actually hadn't done anything wrong and if he just admitted the truth he'd likely be completely fine.
+ I continue to like Joe/Jules. I loved Jules confronting him about keeping secrets and that they need to be partners. I just wish that Joe had been truthful at least about Kyle and his machinations. Keeping those kind of secrets never ends well.
+ I guess Joe and Jules have been together for quite awhile because Joe has with Jules's kids Frankie and Bud what is clearly a very close and loving relationship. They're sweet.
+ I admit I had a moment of :/ when Joe was telling little girl Frankie that she was an apex predator so she didn't need to worry.
+ I really like Officer. Her personality is very engaging and her interactions with Joe are fun. I like that she enjoys what she does.
+ Dianne is a little scary and very shady. I like that in a woman but I don't think Joe should trust her for a second. Maybe this Culprits murder spree is her finally cleaning up loose ends.
+ I like that Joe has a reason for his always stop and pay attention at intersections habit instead of it simply being a quirk.
+ I definitely felt bad for Philip. He seemed pretty kind tbh. I'd easily buy that impression is deceptive and he's a shitty person but as is poor dude. And poor Joe being put in that situation.
