Did the pacing in last night’s episode seem really fast, or was it just me? Many of you thought that about last week’s episode as well. Last week we learned that creator and showrunner Courtney Kemp asked Starz for a twelve-episode season, they refused. It seems that the material they have for this season would’ve been best served with an additional two episodes. Despite the frenetic pacing, which will continue through the finale, last night’s episode You Lied To My Face brought many characters up to date with what we’ve known for a long time.
Glad to see a lengthy dialogue scene between Ghost and Tasha. Omari Hardwick and Naturi Naughton really capture the emotions of a diminished relationship that still needs to exist on some level due to extenuating circumstances. You see it as they hurl insults at each other, show vulnerability, and make momentary peace for the sake of their kids. Good stuff by the actors, with some great lines. More on that in this week’s extra thoughts.
Mirrors are a consistent presence on this show, the creative team uses them to illustrate and illuminate who these characters really are. There is no hiding in front of the mirror. When Ghost and Tasha are arguing in the bedroom after he brings Tariq home, they are in their huge walk-in closet in front of the three mirrors. They both are exposed in that scene for who they are, liars and criminals. Tasha is trying to explain why she didn’t tell Ghost Tariq had been kidnapped before. Ghost is placing the blame on her, and she reminds him they wouldn’t be in this mess if he didn’t stray, among other things. We also learn that Tasha told Ghost to kill Kanan, and he didn’t. How ruthless is Tasha? She’s stone cold. Many truths throughout the show’s run have been exposed in front of those specific mirrors. Up until now they’ve been experienced by a singular character, either Ghost or Tasha. Having them both in front of the mirrors was really clever. The mirrors are about exposing parts of one’s self that are hidden. Tasha sums it up perfectly when she says, “You left me because our life together was real. And with Angela, you could pretend to be something you never were.”