“The Riches” — Wreckless Gardening
I think The Riches peaked last night. The episode was great, but it also signaled the show’s inevitable demise. In short, they simply can’t keep up the con for much longer and still make it believable. Eventually Wayne/Doug is going to have to do some lawyering that requires a bit more work than a para and great interpersonal skills. Eventually Dahlia’s drug problem and/or not-so-great interpersonal skills when not hustling. Eventually the creepy traveler gang is going to find them and rat them out.
Still, we can enjoy the ride before it comes to brilliant collision in what I hope to be this single-season run.
What’s funny about the Malloy’s situation is that the kids are arguably the best con artists in the family. Of course, they simply have to play the part and don’t need to worry about working or paying the bills and such.
Izzard was brilliant again, and I think he’s finally nailed the accent — he’s created something of a British, Southern American, Martian sort of drawl that at this stage in the game works. Though the character that might be the secret weapon is Greg Henry’s Hugh. Hugh, as Wayne says, is an asshole, and he plays it brilliantly. He’s twisted and sadistic and is generally careless about most things, but not in a cold-hearted killer sort of way. He’s careless in an eight-year-old way where he doesn’t have the slightest insight into the effects of his actions. It’s brilliantly fun to watch.
We’re half way through the series. I don’t expect the next seven to be nearly as good as this first six, but like any good tragedy the downfall makes for the best drama.
