The Outsider (1×07) In the Pines, In the Pines Review

For our review of last week’s episode of The Outsider, click here.

Synopsis: Holly makes a calculated attempt to help a volatile but conflicted Jack, while their whereabouts are tracked by Ralph and Alec. After she’s confronted by town gossip on her first day back at work, Glory considers Howie’s suggestion on how to secure her family’s financial future. (HBO)

After a climactic end to last week’s episode of The Outsider, this week’s episode was kind of a let down as it felt like filler leading up to what was going to happen next. That’s not to say that it wasn’t without its moments as Anderson is finally ready to confront his own bias in order to fully get behind whatever forces were at play behind the mystery that has been plaguing the series thus far.

In the Pines, In the Pines started with Anderson realizing that the El Coco chair was gone (for obvious reasons). Meanwhile, Gibney and Hoskins were still allegedly on their way to the barn (whether or not that actually happens remains to be seen). He wasn’t being very forthcoming. Hoskins interrogated Gibney about what she knew about El Coco but there was still much more to learn about him/it. Whatever was happening, she wanted to help which she tried to do. Things were certainly getting tense. At this point, Gibney’s absence was getting noticed as was Hoskins’. It became clear that they were most likely together somewhere so Anderson and Pelley went out together to try and find them (Pelley seemed more worried about her than Solomon which got him upset).

It was clear that Hoskins was trying to fight whatever was controlling him and Gibney saw that. Meanwhile, Anderson was paranoid of Collins (who was close with Hoskins) who took offense to his questioning. Anderson and Pelley got a tip on Gibney (Pelley told Anderson a childhood story of what seemed like an El Coco encounter) and Hoskins who stopped at a gas station so Gibney could use the restroom for which she would get the slip on him (Hoskins tried to kill himself but it wouldn’t work so he hitched a ride back). Once Anderson and Pelley got to the gas station, the only thing left there was a smashed cell phone (Hoskins smashed Gibney’s). Gibney soon got back to the others to explain what happened to her and Hoskins (there was still some skepticism in the air). Katcavage showed up to offer his assistance just in time for Gibney to lash out at Anderson for not telling her that Maitland scratched Claude Bolton. To help himself understand and be more open, Anderson went to his therapist (but there was still so much he was willing to share).

Glory wanted to get back to work so she can support her family by returning to work as a real estate agent but she couldn’t quite shake off her suspicion that people were only interested in her for who she happened to be. Her boss believed that she came back too soon but conceded that that time may never come. She suggested that she and her family should sell her house and have a fresh start somewhere else but Glory didn’t want to leave. Instead, she was ready to continue her lawsuit against the police department and district attorney’s office among others to secure her family’s financial future.

The episode ended with Gibney seemingly having a nightmare of the moment she got away from Hoskins and screaming (for whatever reason).

The Anderson moment of reflection was good but everything felt abrupt and rushed in order to set up whatever happens next week. Hopefully it’ll be worth it.

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.