Barry (3×08) Starting Now Review

For our review of the last episode of Barry, click here.

No words have rang more true than the episode title of the season three finale of Barry as different things are starting now as it clears all the pieces from the table in such a strong way which is truly a testament to the great writing and directing this season. It’s easy to forget that this is a comedy series that has consistently been something much more than that. This season has been about the reformation of Barry as he looks to find a future for himself even though he arguably doesn’t deserve one while other characters were on their way to their own happy endings. However knowing this series, this wasn’t necessarily a sure thing as the episode keeps viewers guessing all the way to the end.

Nevertheless, this was a tense and emotional watch for all those involved. It began with Barry waking up from his coma and going back to his room to find Sally planning an attack on Natalie. However, Barry tried to talk her out of it to protect her until his two worlds collided as someone came to attack them with Sally taking matters into her own hands. Shaken up, Barry took charge and tried to alleviate her burden. The vulnerability and sheer emotion from Hader and Goldberg as Barry and Sally was something to behold. Meanwhile, Cousineau ran into trouble with Jim Moss and his intense interrogation skills and the fear on his face was palpable. 

When it looked like there’d be a showdown between Barry and Nguyen, things turned out a lot differently. Barry was visibly shaken up when confronted with his past for which kudos belong to Hader’s performance here. Nguyen’s motivation was justice for Chris but Chris’ death hit him hard too. He knew the kind of guy Barry was, which was not an evil one in spite of everything bad he’s done. Therefore he was given a second chance assuming he’d put the assassin stuff behind him.

In the last episode, Hank went looking for Cristobal in Bolivia and got captured but he made his epic escape and reunited with him. The embrace between the two and the look of relief on Hank was a great moment for Carrigan.

However, Barry still had Jim Moss to deal with first as Sally retreated to Joplin unbeknownst to him. Using his affection for Cousineau, this was a coordinated plan between Moss, Cousineau, and the police to trap Barry and it was successful. The look on his face as he was being taken away was absolutely heartbreaking and another moment of many for Hader.

This episode had it all. The best episode of the series so far was absolutely firing on all cylinders. It will definitely be exciting to see what Hader and the gang do next season.

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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.