Running Point Season 1, Episode 4, “Doljanchi,” makes up for lost time with the Los Angeles Wave team and the Gordons. This episode, written by Grace Edwards and directed by Michael Weaver, uses character work and team building to confirm that the team and the family are the same. “Doljanchi” follows through with the most Running Point has shown of Ali and Ness, respectively, so far this season. Likewise, this episode does more than check in with Marcus and Travis. The team and Dyson’s place in it finally take shape.
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The Gordon Family’s Relationship Hurdles
“Doljanhci” succeeds the most with its exploration of Ness and Bituin’s marriage and Sandy and Charlie’s relationship. Admittedly, the episode starts a bit rocky when it introduces conflict for the married couple before properly introducing Bituin, let alone her dynamic with Ness. Running Point almost makes up for that disconnect by giving Bituin context within the Gordon family. Her frustration about not having time with “her person,” including when their child was born, is palpable. Jessalyn Wanlim does excellent with what she’s given.
“Doljanchi” underscores why the Gordon siblings can’t ice out their family, including their significant others, for the business or vice versa. One of Running Point’s running themes is the characters trying to find that balance. Seeing how Ness grates on Sandy (Decompressing with TV shows is all too relatable!) makes it all the more satisfying that Sandy learns that lesson from Ness and Bituin’s conflict. While one part almost doesn’t work because of the lack of Ness and Bituin until now, the other does because of the introduction of Sandy and Charlie’s relationship in “Joe Pesci.” Mostly, the sibling dynamic between Ness and Sandy clicks in “Doljanchi.” Scott MacArthur and Drew Tarver’s chemistry makes it easy to feel the years that Running Point doesn’t show.
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The Waves Are a Team Off the Court
The same applies to the Los Angeles Waves. Showcasing something as simple as a team dinner tradition matters. It’s impactful in relaying the team’s connection off the court. After all, it’s unclear how they work on the court. Running Point is almost halfway through its debut season, and the sports comedy hasn’t shown the Waves playing basketball since the “Pilot.” Even Dyson and Ali’s short scene about his pay helps build a workplace environment at the Waves that extends beyond Isla and the rest of the Gordons. Characters outside that unit are starting to develop rapport, even Bituin and Sandy.
Because the earlier episodes have been disjointed in some places, seeing “Doljanchi” pick up where “The Travis Bugg Affair” leaves off regarding Marcus’s leadership is engaging. Toby Sandeman does a lot with Marcus in the quieter moments – overhearing Dyson trying to extend his credit – that informs Marcus’s influential role on the team. His performance is subtle, insinuating there is so much more to this character than what meets the eye. It also makes the payoff at the restaurant even better – no one other than the audience knows that Marcus is aware of what Dyson makes compared to the rest of the team. There’s also the point that no one but Marcus cares to know and do something about it, like make rich basketball players pay for their meals.
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Isla and the Hoopli Deal
That discussion of money lends itself to the Hoopli – using Sandy’s voiceover and the graphic to explain the streaming service is creative – of it all. As a fan of comedies like The Mindy Project and Parks and Recreation, it’s exciting that Running Point uses Hoopli and the owners’ conference to introduce more fun guest stars like Utkarsh Ambudkar and Jim O’Heir. Likewise, it’s interesting to see the show’s humor confront the harsher realities – Isla pointing out the men’s casual jokes about assault – of a male-dominated field. It works better in “Doljanchi” than in “The Travis Bugg Affair.” The comedy helps when Isla has to literally meet rich men where they’re at (a hot tub) just for them to hear her.
After all, her perception that Hoopli will eventually hurt more than it helps is common in sports beyond Running Point. Threats of super leagues where rich teams wipe the floor with underfunded ones are justifiable concerns. Unfortunately, “Doljanchi” may be right in recognizing a more equitable option as too aspirational because it usually always comes down to the money.
Nevertheless, Running Point makes Isla’s race against the clock to secure a deal more dynamic by paralleling it with her need to attend Ali’s son’s Doljanchi. Finally, the show reveals more about Ali’s personal life, introducing her husband and her sister-in-law, who she doesn’t like all that much. Ultimately, “Doljanchi” demonstrates that Running Point can balance character and plot, but it may do so even better with a larger episode count.
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What did you think of Running Point Season 1, Episode 4, “Doljanchi?” Let us know in the comments below!
Running Point Season 1 is streaming on Netflix now.
