Wednesday, October 19, 2011

"The Poor Kids Do It Everyday" on Ringer

     Six episodes in, the mysteries on the CW's new drama Ringer keep coming. In this week's episode, "The Poor Kids Do It Everyday," Bridget (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Henry (Kristoffer Polaha) both wonder what happen to Gemma (Tara Summers), wondering if each other engaged in foul play. They seem to come to an understanding, but then Bridget calls in an anonymous tip to the police on the crime scene evidence that Henry cleaned up, and leaves her own fingerprints on the weapon. Also, Machado (Nestor Carbonell) searches for the also missing Malcolm (Mike Colter), and Juliet (Zoey Deutch) finds an ally in Mr. Carpenter (Jason Dohring, Veronica Mars, Moonlight) at her new school.

     In Ringer, the viewers get the important clues long before the characters do. By this point, audiences can assume that no one is trying to kill Siobhan (also Gellar) because the man that Bridget killed in self-defense was sent by Siobhan, though he carried Siobhan's picture, not Bridget's. This means it is likely that Siobhan wanted everyone to think she is dead, and by Bridget taking over her life, Bridget ruined Siobhan's plan. Or at least a part of it. It's why Siobhan wanted to kill Bridget. It's also why she has Gemma taken out, probably, as Gemma knows about the twin sisters, and also knows that Bridget has taken Siobhan's place.

     But is Gemma maybe somehow still alive? If not, why not show her body?

      Why does Siobhan want everyone to think she is dead? It's obviously something she plans for, setting aside money that Bridget also unwittingly takes, and heading to Paris. It's interesting that Ringer shows so much, but explains so little. Though fans know what Siobhan is doing, the why has not been covered for any of it, leaving as more questions that the series is answering.

     In "The Poor Kids Do It Everyday," the series does the same with Bridget. We see that Bridget implicates herself in the possible murder of Gemma, but it is not clear why. This gets Machado's attention, of course, as he has Bridget flagged. But for now, everyone except the missing Gemma assumes that Siobhan is still living her life, and if they even know who Bridget is, thinks she is the one missing. Without knowing that Siobhan is still alive, Bridget thinks that will be no suspect to be found for Gemma. It keeps Henry and Siobhan, meaning her, since she's taken Siobhan's place, clear of any suspicion. But, still, setting up herself is a big risk. Why not find a bum in the alley to get prints from? If Machado realizes the rouse, then he might think Bridget did something to Gemma, creating even more problems.

      Malcolm's capture and torture by the men looking for Bridget is a big complication that will have to be resolved soon. Given the CW's penchant for killing off main characters, his number might just be up. After all, he is certainly the most expendably of the main characters. Bridget already has a new sponsor, and Machado is only looking for Malcolm because he has information on Bridget. If Malcolm dies, Bridget's secrets are protected a bit longer. Hopefully, Ringer will find a new and interesting twist to keep Malcolm around, but it seems unlikely. Unless Gemma is really dead, and Ringer doesn't want to off two characters so soon.

     Also, is it really a coincidence that Bridget finds a new sponsor so quickly in Charlie (Billy Miller, The Young and the Restless). Is anyone fooled? Who is he working for, and why is he there?

     It also seems odd that Juliet gets any plot at all. She isn't a main character, nor is she paramount to what is going on with Bridget and Siobhan. This isn't exactly a complaint, since following Juliet to schools opens up the door to see Dohring back on television. However, her scenes seem out of place, especially coming after so little independent development for the character in the first few episodes.

     Is Bridget sleeping with Siobhan's husband, Andrew (Ioan Gruffudd)? She would have to, to completely sell the charade, especially since Bridget is determined to fix the marriage, but the series shies from showing this explicitly. Probably because of the gross factor involved in sleeping with one's own brother-in-law. If one stops and thinks about it, Andrew is living a common male fantasy, and not even getting to enjoy it. But, more likely, he will be morally offended when the truth comes out. Or he'll choose Bridget over Siobhan since Bridget is actually good to him. It sure seems like Bridget might be falling for Andrew, though whether that's because of the life she has with him, or because she genuinely cares, is uncertain.

     Ringer airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

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