Running Point Season 1, Episode 3, “The Travis Bugg Affair,” proves first steps don’t have to be big, but sometimes big steps are necessary. This episode, written by Ike Barinholtz & David Stassen and directed by Michael Weaver, sharpens the show’s voice while some characters find theirs. While the team still needs shaping, leadership emerges during “The Travis Bugg Affair.” Alternatively, Running Point still leaves characters like Ness and Ali too undefined and dependent on the plot. Here’s to hoping that, like the bit with Cam’s drug shelf, Running Point will only improve from “The Travis Bugg Affair.”
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The Travis Bugg of It All
After all, this episode sees Isla build on the progress of “Joe Pesci” by sidestepping the toxic masculinity of her dad’s leadership. It’s more than unfortunate that Isla’s attempt to utilize “less volatile” options results in a player kissing her and her being blamed for it. In fairness, Isla first shifts the blame to Jackie for reserving a spot at a romantic restaurant, as if that’s cause enough for Travis to kiss his boss. Then, Isla’s brothers return the blame on her and what she wore during the business dinner. The only one – besides Isla – who blames Travis for the situation is the show titling the episode “The Travis Bugg Affair.” However, that’s not shocking given that Running Point is from Isla’s perspective.
It’s evident that the Waves – the team and the foundation – desperately need a culture change. Similarly, it’s not lost that male-dominated spaces – sports included – aren’t immune to blaming women for men’s mistakes. Nevertheless, it’s a choice for Running Point to essentially fracture Isla and Lev’s relationship before it is established. They end “The Travis Bugg Affair” in a supposedly good spot, yet, strangely, Isla apologizes to Lev for having to deal with comments from his patients, who are children. Her fiancee never asks how she feels about being ridiculed within her workplace and in outlets as large as ESPN.
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Jackie’s (Second) First Day at The Waves
Ali is usually the woman in Isla’s corner, but “The Travis Bugg Affair” gives her more to do. Of course, any personal details (She’s a mother and has been married for 12 years) still come through Running Point’s dialogue. Alternatively, this episode uses Ali’s professional exposition – being Jack Gordon’s assistant – to help Jackie during his second first day at The Waves. The opening sequence stumbling into that job offer is funny – not only because it exemplifies the current learn-as-you-go environment with the team. It reveals more about the siblings while sharpening Running Point’s comedic rhythm.
It also features Richie Eisen, suggesting that Running Point will fold its fictional world into basketball’s reality. Either way, “The Travis Bugg Affair” continues to expand the Los Angeles Waves’s relevance through Jackie. While the show works to illuminate the team’s business side, it’s impactful to see Jackie taken with all of it. Consequently, “The Travis Bugg Affair” finds a compelling end by sticking with Jackie as he takes it all in from a new perspective.
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The Waves Are Taking Form
In that sense, it’s strange that Running Point has not mentioned anything about Dyson Gibbs. The player comes to The Waves at the end of the “Pilot,” but there have been no passing details about how he is adjusting to the NBA team. Instead, “The Travis Bugg Affair” focuses on Travis’s continued spin of bad behavior. There are no excuses for Travis kissing his boss, and Travis almost says as much in his apology. Running Point finds a much more nuanced conversation about his place in basketball with his Sephora-related blunder.
It becomes increasingly clear that the game feels fleeting to Travis in a different way than it does to the team’s star player, Marcus Winfield. While Marcus knows he only has so much time left to play, Travis feels it’s only a matter of time before people realize he’s not as good as he pretends to be. That alone is a fascinating insight into these characters and their roles as athletes. It takes three episodes, but “The Travis Bugg Affair” finally breaks through to something deeper with Travis and Marcus. Running Point’s positive momentum is slowly building, but it finally feels like The Waves are going somewhere.
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What did you think of Running Point Season 1, Episode 3, “The Travis Bugg Affair?” Let us know in the comments below!
Running Point Season 1 is streaming now on Netflix.
