S01.E05: Beautiful Things Deserve Beautiful Things

[formerlyfreedom]

Desperate to escape the mess she inadvertently made in her hometown, Letty Raines rejoins Javier on the road. He's on the way to see his sister Ava, who has information about the mysterious phone calls Javier has been getting from his estranged family. Christian tracks Letty down to arrest her, but Letty turns the tables and pulls Christian into a scheme of her own making.

 

[magdalene]

Here's a totally legit job Letty could do - she could be head of security in one of those up scale hotels. She knows all the tricks and she doesn't miss anything.

Well well well, Christian fell off the wagon big time. 

She and Christian basically stole money from Javier's sister. Oopsie?

This show always leaves me wanting to see the next scene right now.

[Nanu160]

I thought actor that is Christian was really good in this episode! His befuddled reactions were hilarious! Also loved how they were snarking on AA. Also, why buy that expensive booze with your new ill-gotten gains when you can steal it! Geez!

[TaraS1]

God, I love this show.  And I don't want to nitpick because it's so good and I'm sure it's going to be gone soon, but....please no more episodes with Letty and Javier apart for so long!  I'm sure next week will make up for it, but still, two episodes in a row where they aren't together a lot is no bueno.  But that being said...

Letty and Christian working together was a lot of fun.  I first remember Terry Kinney from a TV movie he did back in the 80's (based on a true story) where he played a preacher who kills his wife and tries to make it look like a car accident.  (Fun fact: a young Kathy Bates played a reporter in it.)  He was so good and so memorable in that, that it's always been hard for me to watch him in anything else, but he's really great opposite Michelle.

Letty with Javier's nieces was hilarious.  "I work for Instagram.  I delete all the nude selfies." LOL!  And the three of them rocking out to whatever hip-hop song that was that I'm too old to recognize was awesome.  They'd better not rob us of the chance to see Letty at Javier's family dinner, because that will be gold.

I also loved the look on Javier's face as soon as Ava said her hotel had been robbed.  At least Letty adhered to most of the list he left her...

And yes, I am so weak for these two screwed up criminals that I rewatched their kiss at Sonic about five times.

[abbyzenn]

I thought it interesting that this show was dedicated to Michelle's late fiancé.  I hadn't noticed this before so I wonder why this particular episode.

I love the visuals in this show and think they do a very good job there.  The stories are okay - at least I can follow them unlike so many shows these days which seem to make the show so complicated it's hard to follow.  Although there seems to be a lot of inconsistencies but you can such glide over them except that I don't understand how if Letty is an alcoholic she can have a drink or two.  But I can't see the show lasting that long.  I'd rather see more like tonight where it's about Letty's scheme than Javier's hit man.

I like Letty's outfits and I think Michelle looks better with short hair. 

[Joimiaroxeu]

This show is great. I loved watching Javier interact with his sister and his spoiled nieces, and Letty introducing Christian to her Robin Hood project was hilarious. Hope he's smart enough not to put that $100k in a local bank. Once his boss really starts looking into where Letty is and why he's covered for her, the newly flush bank account will be a huge red flag. (Plus cash deposits over a certain amount get attention anyway.)

And I am now all in on Letty and Javier's twisted romance. They seem to get each other in a way that fits like puzzle pieces. I hope this show gets renewed.

[magdalene]

Whether Christian really does quit his job or more likely gets the guilt big time over the crime he committed with Letty and gets fired.....Doesn't Letty realize that having Christian as her parole officer was her best case scenario? And by leading him off the "moral" path she hasn't helped herself at all.  Letty is so smart in many ways but she also does stuff all the time that make it so clear to me why she has spent time in prison, and why there is a permanent restraining order out against her.

This episode was very funny - Terry Kinney's facial expressions alone were golden.  I also laughed at Javier's nieces who are such typical teenagers.  And the little aside of them wanting Soledad (the maid I assume) to clean up the table and Ava going "she is watching TV you two do it".  I really like Ava and I don't want her to find out what Javier does for a living, it will break her heart.

[kat165]

I enjoyed this one too. Loved the scene in the hotel room after they'd stolen the money from that guy, Letty's little dance and Christian's expressions of joy. I can't see the aftermath of this going well for Christian.

Gripes: a) the sub-titles when Javier/Ava were speaking Spanish: too small! b) the constant focus on phones with stuff I can neither read or see, so annoying.

[helenamonster]

Javier's face when Ava told him her hotel had been robbed: priceless.

It was fun to see Christian get wrapped up in one of Letty's schemes, though it's a shame that he fell off the wagon and will now have to quit his job. I wonder if he, Letty, and Javier will become some kind of tag team or if he'll try to go back to his twerpy little boss to save face when he sobers up.

I also liked the scenes Javier had with Ava and his nieces. I like learning more about his backstory/family life. Hopefully they show him and Letty going to the restaurant opening next week so we can meet the rest of them!

I do believe that Letty wants to get Jacob back, but I don't see her giving up her vices anytime soon. If she ever did get him back (legally or otherwise), I can't see her making a nice home for him and staying put with a normal job; I'd see her as taking him with her on the road and leaving him in grimy motels while she goes out and pulls cons. It's hard to say which of her vices is better or worse. The drinking and drugs could kill her (and being an addict is dangerous around a child) but the stealing ruins other people's lives. However, the cons are much more fun to watch, and this one wasn't as bad because besides the ring, she was stealing from people who'd already stolen (splitting hairs, I know, but I felt less bad about it haha; if she hadn't stumbled on the job the money would have been gone anyway). So perhaps Jacob is better off where he is; his grandmother isn't the perfect guardian but she provides a safe and stable home for him, which is more than Letty can do, and honestly more than I think she's willing to do.

[SunnyBeBe]

Oh yeah....I love this show and Letty, but, I really wish they'd leave the Jacob story behind for awhile.  She needs to leave the boy alone, send texts or cards, whatever, but, continuing to bring havoc into his life is just wrong.  It's supposed to be about the CHILD'S needs, not the mother's. She is not ready to be his caretaker.  Not even close.   Anyway,

I actually laughed OUT LOUD multiple times last night.  I loved that scheme Letty had going and how Christian tagged along.  My favorite was when she told Christian to handcuff the guy!!!!!!  Too funny.  My favorite episode yet. 

[leighdear]

That dedication was heartbreaking, knowing that Michelle was working on this show during the end. 

I agree that Jacob needs to be on the back-burner for a while.  We haven't seen Letty flex enough of her grifter/thief muscles in various entertaining situations yet.  I don't want her to head straight to momsville.  

My hair is cut very much like the short style Letty was sporting at the end, so obviously I'm a fan of that look.  *LOL*

Jeez, I love this show!

[TaraS1]

I forgot to add in my original comment that the sketch of Javier really did look like Mandy Patinkin in Princess Bride lol.

[helenamonster]

27 minutes ago, TaraS1 said:

I forgot to add in my original comment that the sketch of Javier really did look like Mandy Patinkin in Princess Bride lol.

I loved that whole exchange.

"This doesn't even look like me. It looks like Ginger Spice."
"Who?"
"Ginger Spice. From the Spice Girls."
"Oh right. The red one."

Edited December 8, 2016 by helenamonster
posted too early

[TaraS1]

1 minute ago, helenamonster said:

"This doesn't even look like me. It looks like Ginger Spice."

"Who?" lol

And did we know that the actress playing Javier's sister is Juan Diego Botto's real life sister?  I saw one of the creators mention it on one of their social media pages yesterday.

[helenamonster]

2 minutes ago, TaraS1 said:

And did we know that the actress playing Javier's sister is Juan Diego Botto's real life sister?  I saw one of the creators mention it on one of their social media pages yesterday.

Did not know that! I forgot to comment that I totally bought them as siblings...now I know why haha.

[magdalene]

Javier most often has been drawing a blank when it comes to the pop culture references Letty has been throwing at him.  It cracks me up.

I also laughed when Letty and the girls were rapping out in the car and Javier looked so long-suffering.

[ChelleGame]

I love this show and I hate that it does feel long for this world. It's entertaining, not taxing and smart. The actors are great, chemistry off the charts and funny.

Keep trying to get friends to watch it. Doing what I can.

This is a fav this season. Hope it gets a season 2.

The song they were rapping to in the car was "Love Again" by Run the Jewels featuring Killer Mike.

Husband woke up out of a dead sleep when he heard the beat and said: what show is bumping Killer Mike? What're you watching? Then he passed back out before I could answer. Cracked me up. He won't remember tomorrow. He was right though I shazammed it afterwards because it went right over my head.

[Nanu160]

Why does everyone keep saying that this show will not last long? There are like 5 or 6 posts already predicting It's demise! It's smart, well done, relatable, and perfectly cast. Best thing I've seen in AGES!..pssshhh.

[TaraS1]

20 hours ago, helenamonster said:

Did not know that! I forgot to comment that I totally bought them as siblings...now I know why haha.

Right?  I thought, "They have such a nice rapport!"  If we're lucky enough to get to see the big family dinner Ava invited Javier to, the whole scene might be filled with Bottos lol.

6 hours ago, ChelleGame said:

The song they were rapping to in the car was "Love Again" by Run the Jewels featuring Killer Mike.

Husband woke up out of a dead sleep when he heard the beat and said: what show is bumping Killer Mike? What're you watching? Then he passed back out before I could answer. Cracked me up. He won't remember tomorrow. He was right though I shazammed it afterwards because it went right over my head.

One of the creators/writers, Chad Hodge, has a clip of that scene on his Instagram and I swear, I've watched it at least 20 times.  Michelle and the actresses playing the nieces crushed it lol.

2 hours ago, Nanu160 said:

Why does everyone keep saying that this show will not last long? There are like 5 or 6 posts already predicting It's demise! It's smart, well done, relatable, and perfectly cast. Best thing I've seen in AGES!..pssshhh.

It's by far the best thing I've seen in ages, too, but the ratings have been really terrible, even for cable. /sad face/

[thesupremediva1]

I've mounted a full-throttle social media and word-of-mouth campaign to get people watching this show. This is the strongest reaction I've had to a show since I watched the first few episodes of Homeland.

I watched every ep of Downton and I never had much to say about Michelle Dockery. But damn, the woman is a revelation here. Every episode gets better and better. I love how flawed she is, how brilliant she can be, and how thoroughly unaware she is of right and wrong at times.

I knew Christian would eventually break rank and join her band of pretty thieving. That actor is great for this role - nuanced and intriguing while providing a less bombastic foil for Letty.

Juan Diego Botto is another revelation for me. Where has this guy been? His reactions to everything are priceless and perfectly in character. The Ginger Spice remark, the look on his face when he found out the hotel was robbed, the sensitivity he displayed in the scenes with his sister... there's real range there. And the whole screen lights up when he and Dockery interact. 

This episode felt like Alias but from the bad guys' point of view. I shelved This Is Us because I couldn't wait to watch the next ep. I just can't get enough, and I enjoy every ep more upon rewatch. That's not usual. I hope someone at TNT is reading this board. Keep the show and get better publicity for it! Almost no one knows it's airing, but I'm not having a hard time converting new viewers. 

I agree that the Jacob plotline needs to get shelved at some point. I'm rooting for Letty but she shouldn't have her son back. As a viewer, I'm far more invested in her relationship with Javier - and that means I don't exactly root for her young son to be hanging out with a hitman. The texts were cute and really all that Letty's capable of. 

[magdalene]

I wish somebody in power at TNT will support this show.  Like AMC has supported "Halt And Catch Fire" for multiple seasons against all ratings odds.

[Lonesome Rhodes]

I will endeavor to watch JDB in anything he does from here on out.  He killed the scene with his sister as she tried to humanize their father.  He was also perfect as he had fun with the nieces and letting Letty use them to try to learn more about Javier.  

Letty is clearly a sociopath and an addict.  I'll never root for her.  Never.  Now, watching her manipulate everyone excepting her son?  All day long.  What she is now setting up for her son?  Unforgivable.  Understandable, yes.  But, unforgivable nonetheless.    

The P.O., and thereby Letty, are now unalterably screwed.  He'll be fired and her case immediately transferred, along with a formal request by the boss for a bench warrant for her immediate arrest.  

Why would the hotel itself handle that much cash for ATM's?  It makes no sense.  They would already be paying hefty fees for the processing of transactions and for the lease of the machinery.  Servicing costs on top of that would be negligible. Insurance on handling that cash internally?  They'd already have an armored truck servicing their regular cash needs.  

Maybe Letty' could have an Audrey Hepburn (Eliza Doolittle) for her affirmations.  "I'm a good girl, I am!"

[kat165]

Diva1, I am considering letting go of This is Us live too so I can watch this show immediately. This is Us has its moments, but I'm an easy cryer (which annoys me to no end) and This is Us is just too much. I like the darkerness of this show and Michelle Dockery (never my favorite on Downton either) is just killing it. I'm hoping now that This is Us has gone on winter break we will continue to get new eps of this show and I can watch when it's on instead of wating for my cable's slo mo On Demand.

[slf]

I really like Javier's sister and hope we get to see more of her. I can't believe they cast the actor's real sister in the role but she was great. Javier's nieces were really cute.

I don't think Letty's a sociopath but I do think like most skilled con artists she's naturally very good at reading people and she's very charismatic. So if she wants someone to understand her or help her she's able to figure out the most effective way to reach them and because they're so taken with her they do it. Obviously it's intentional when she's running a con but I don't think it is most of the rest of the time. Perhaps it's just become instinct for her so she does it subconsciously but I'm not sure yet.

It's tough for addicts to give up one addiction without replacing it with another. Drug addiction or alcoholism often becomes smoking, sex addiction, theft, etc., and I'm glad the show touched on that, especially given her pre-existing history of theft. Her problems feed each other. Clearly so do Christian's. Dude should not have become a P.O. because the stress of dealing with ex-cons and addicts brings out his own issues which in turn makes him drink. It really is a daily struggle for many people.

Watching Letty and Christian pull off the con was hilarious but really made me wish we could see Letty and Javier do a job together. I have no idea what kind of job since he disapproves of theft and she disapproves of murder but I think they'd work well together.

[Nanu160]

She's just not there yet

[Hanahope]

On 12/9/2016 at 9:49 PM, Lonesome Rhodes said:

Why would the hotel itself handle that much cash for ATM's?  It makes no sense.  They would already be paying hefty fees for the processing of transactions and for the lease of the machinery.  Servicing costs on top of that would be negligible. Insurance on handling that cash internally?  They'd already have an armored truck servicing their regular cash needs.  

Depends on who "owns" the ATMs.  The hotel itself could own the AMTs and provide the initial funding for it (called vaulting).  The hotel would then recoup the fees for the ATM use, plus get reimbursed for the funds from the banks the customer draws from.  I presume the hotel has insurance for theft from the ATM, so ultimately the hotel (or whoever owns the ATMs) won't be out any money, and considering the hotel runs a casino, I doubt that missing $200,000 is going to hurt it that much even in the short term.

I liked Letty's theft of the ring, very clever.

This plot was based on the third Letty novella, though significant changes were made.  But still the same idea of involving a place with a casino, moving money, Letting stealing it and Christian helping.  I wonder if Letty will be able to hide the 100k from Javier, or will ultimately admit that she stole it from the theives.  

I can see where Letty's coming from.  She needs some "thing" in her life to keep her from the high of drugs.  The high of theft certainly fills that void.  Perhaps if she and Javier get closer, that relationship will supply the high.  Course, he needs to change his work as well.  Or, they can go full on Leverage and steal from those that deserve it, who've ripped off others.  That could satisfy Javier's need for justice/revenge and Letty's need for theft.

 

[ZoloftBlob]

"The P.O., and thereby Letty, are now unalterably screwed. He'll be fired and her case immediately transferred, along with a formal request by the boss for a bench warrant for her immediate arrest." Call me crazy but I assume there will be a con at some point against the weasally boss of Christian to keep Christian employed and Lettie out of jail. My small complaint about this otherwise great show? I never thought I'd ever say this but... they could tone down the cursing. I get it - Michelle Dockery isn't Lady Mary and Lettie likes the f-word and telling men to cum on her tits etc etc etc but its like they're trying too hard.

[Nanu160]

Oh Please! A Bench Warrent is a Passive Aggressive move on a Bored Judges part ! It means Nothing unless you get Caught! Our Letty is Slicker than that! Fake ID, Letty on the Lam, good fun Fiction. 

Bench Warrant, you can go forever, just have a fake I. D..

[Nanu160]

Michelle rules in this heartbreak of a journey of regret.

[TaraS1]

On 12/9/2016 at 11:33 AM, thesupremediva1 said:

I've mounted a full-throttle social media and word-of-mouth campaign to get people watching this show. This is the strongest reaction I've had to a show since I watched the first few episodes of Homeland.

Juan Diego Botto is another revelation for me. Where has this guy been? His reactions to everything are priceless and perfectly in character. The Ginger Spice remark, the look on his face when he found out the hotel was robbed, the sensitivity he displayed in the scenes with his sister... there's real range there. And the whole screen lights up when he and Dockery interact. 

I'm with you re: this being the strongest reaction I've had to a show in ages.  I like shows, I very rarely love them.  But this one is just golden.

And ITA about JDB.  I'd never heard of him or seen him before, but he's totally mesmerizing on screen.  Like you said, every word, every inflection, every reaction is perfect.  And physically he's not my type at all, but I find him super sexy.

On 12/9/2016 at 7:00 PM, magdalene said:

I wish somebody in power at TNT will support this show.  Like AMC has supported "Halt And Catch Fire" for multiple seasons against all ratings odds.

I pray that happens because now I'm in too deep...if this gets canceled, I'm going to be crushed.

[zoey1996]

On 12/7/2016 at 8:23 AM, TaraS1 said:

Letty and Christian working together was a lot of fun.  I first remember Terry Kinney from a TV movie he did back in the 80's (based on a true story) where he played a preacher who kills his wife and tries to make it look like a car accident.  (Fun fact: a young Kathy Bates played a reporter in it.)  He was so good and so memorable in that, that it's always been hard for me to watch him in anything else, but he's really great opposite Michelle.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093583/  Murder Ordained.  I lived in the Emporia, Kansas area at the time of the murder.  Strange case, and very much in the news at the time.  I need to watch the movie!

[Irlandesa]

On 12/8/2016 at 10:42 AM, TaraS1 said:

And did we know that the actress playing Javier's sister is Juan Diego Botto's real life sister?  I saw one of the creators mention it on one of their social media pages yesterday.

I am not the least surprised to hear this. They had a good rapport and looked like one another but that can just be good casting.  But what struck me is how much they sounded alike. My ear for Spanish isn't perfect but they sounded like they grew up in the same area. 

On 12/9/2016 at 6:00 PM, magdalene said:

I wish somebody in power at TNT will support this show.  Like AMC has supported "Halt And Catch Fire" for multiple seasons against all ratings odds.

Unfortunately, TNT doesn't have that monster hit like The Walking Dead to support the lower rated dramas they have.  I do wonder what the ratings goal for this show is.  I find it interesting that they put up not only the regular version but the explicit version every week. It's almost like they're trying to cultivate the streaming option for this show.  Even though a DVR would let me fast forward, I'm liking the explicit version I'm choosing while bingeing.

[Brookside]

This may have come up before, but Lettie's fingerprints must be in the system, but she never takes any precautions not to leave them at the crime scene.  Also, it's inconceivable that there weren't security  cameras in the jewelery shop.  And the salesman would certainly have noticed immediately that stuff was missing (plus I know he was smitten, but he would never have been so lax about leaving jewelery out like that and turning his back)..

[TaraS1]

On 1/2/2017 at 8:20 PM, Irlandesa said:

Unfortunately, TNT doesn't have that monster hit like The Walking Dead to support the lower rated dramas they have.  I do wonder what the ratings goal for this show is.  I find it interesting that they put up not only the regular version but the explicit version every week. It's almost like they're trying to cultivate the streaming option for this show.  Even though a DVR would let me fast forward, I'm liking the explicit version I'm choosing while bingeing.

Is the explicit version only available On Demand or are they airing it at 10pm after the first run at 9?

[Irlandesa]

1 hour ago, TaraS1 said:

Is the explicit version only available On Demand or are they airing it at 10pm after the first run at 9?

I don't know if it ever airs on TV.  Both options are available On Demand.  

[TaraS1]

Thanks @Irlandesa!