If you haven’t read my review of the first two episodes, click here to read it, as it contains much of my criticism of the series thus far.

Continuing the thread from episode two, “Overkill” gives more insight into Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore’s relationship, and their love lives.

This extensive look at the lives of both Candy and Betty is one of the many strengths that Candy possesses, and we have writers Robin Veith, Nick Antosca, and Brett Johnson to thank. These writers take what could easily be a filler episode and focus further on why the two’s relationships are so interesting to explore. For example, there’s a scene where Betty unloads on Candy her problems. As a viewer, the context behind this scene isn’t relevant, because the viewer has seen all those problems and there’s an expectation that Betty finally has someone to talk to about those problems. However, Candy doesn’t know about these problems, so we’re treated to Candy’s version of advice. She means well, but she has no idea what she’s advising, which lets the viewer know what lies ahead for their relationship without handing them the answer.

The aforementioned encounter is a wonderful display of Jessica Biel & Melanie Lynskey’s acting. There are all these subtle hints at what lies ahead for the future of their relationship, whether it’s a subtle dig by Candy that she didn’t mean anything by or Betty getting more defensive throughout the episode. It’s fantastic work, and I hope their work is recognized by the Television Academy at the Emmys.

Another highlight of the episode is the direction by Benjamin Semanoff. As with the other directors, I’m not as familiar with his work (it looks like the only things I recognize his work from are his camerawork on Law Abiding Citizen, Marvel One-Shot: Item 47, chapters 20, 21, 23 & 24 of House of Cards, Paddington, Creed, The Upside, and Spenser Confidential), yet I feel his style injected throughout the entirety of the episode. He has a tendency to focus on portraying the status of the relationships by directing his cinematographer, Simon Dennis, to frame the characters in tight shots that depict the space between (or lack thereof) the two characters. After two episodes that failed to portray the directing style of the episode’s director, it’s a breath of fresh air.

At the mid-point of the series, Candy delivers the best episode yet, focusing on the most important part of the series: Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore’s relationship. Biel and Lynskey hit their performances out of the park, and the director Benjamin Semanoff finally remedies my criticism of the series’ lack of artistic style and then some.

★★★★★

Candy episode three is now available to stream on Hulu.

Until next time!

Thanks to Thomas Stoneham-Judge from Movies For Reel, Shane Conto, Joseph Davis, David Walters, Ambula Bula, and Matthew Simpson for supporting Austin B Media on Patreon!