Running Point Season 1, Episode 5, “Beshert,” takes a bigger step away from the basketball court, which helps the Gordons but may hurt the team. This episode, written by Joe Mande and directed by Thembi Banks, makes the spirit of Jack Gordon loom large. So far, he is more present than the actual game of basketball on Running Point. “Beshert” shows how Jack’s words – not only about basketball – have stuck with Isla and her brothers. Their father leaves deep-rooted issues for the Gordon family to unpack, hopefully positively impacting the Los Angeles Waves. “Beshert” is halfway through Running Point’s debut season, and the team still struggles to leave a mark on the court and the show.
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Jackie Introduces a New Side of The Waves
It is objectively comical that the family – mainly Jackie and Ness – spend more time on the halftime show than they do any tactical improvements. That side quest lands as a direct reflection of the franchise’s inability to solve its problems. “Beshert” shifts its focus to another team – the dance team – instead of building on the team building in “Doljanchi.” It’s unclear if that brief bonding even reflects itself in the team’s playing style. Running Point has yet to make the team’s games a prominent point of the episodes, so it’s hard to know what The Waves must do to improve their game and end their losing streak.
While that partly feels like an in-story reflection of the family’s mismanagement, it also reflects oddly on Running Point. The show is expected to expand its world, especially at the franchise, so it’s not shocking for the dance team to appear. Likewise, it’s predictable that “Beshert” sets up the dynamic it does for Jackie and Sofia. The timing of it all is unfortunate, though. It’s already evident that the family receives more prominence in the story than the team itself. The last two episodes suggest that Running Point will work to strike a better balance between the family and the franchise, but “Beshert” backtracks.
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Sandy and Charlie Take a Turn
The basketball all but loses its independent stakes with fans and rankings as Running Point goes all in on its dependence on the Gordons. Thankfully, “Beshert” may be the beginning of a new era because of the overwhelming attention it gives Sandy and Isla’s interpersonal relationships. Strangely, this episode begins as though Charlie wasn’t avoiding Sandy’s texts an episode prior. “Beshert” acts like no love is lost, but that may be hard to translate as most of Sandy and Charlie’s scenes occur over the phone. Consequently, Sandy and Charlie’s break-up loses a bit of its emotional edge because it still feels as though Running Point is establishing the relationship when it dismantles it.
In fairness, Running Point finally addresses the couple’s most significant obstacle – Sandy introducing Charlie to his family. “Beshert” allows Sandy to confront his internalized judgment while voicing his concerns about his replacement amid the family, particularly with Ness. The argument takes some absurd and hilarious turns, but Drew Tarver and Scott MacArthur keep the scene’s sentiment and sense of humor above water. Of course, that is until they – and Isla – fall into the pool. Nevertheless, “Beshert” takes Sandy, Ness, and Isla to previously unexplored emotional places that feel like honest breakthroughs about their father and how they treat one another.
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Isla Makes a Choice About Her Future
This episode is full of breakthroughs everywhere except the basketball court. Running Point never denies that these characters, including Isla and Lev, have a lot to unpack. “Beshert” gives Isla and Lev’s relationship the most depth it has had all season in their most substantial conversation so far. Their conversation would be even better – Kate Hudson and Max Greenfield are already excellent in it – if Running Point dedicated more time to Isla and Lev before now. There would be more investment in their relationship – for better and worse.
Alternatively, the show explicitly defines Isla’s relationship with her father. “Beshert” compounds that exposition with the flashback of a younger Isla having to help her mother through her parents’ divorce. That experience reasonably impacts Isla’s perception of love and marriage; understandably, those feelings bubble up around the time of her engagement party. Therefore, Running Point extends the context to the longevity of Isla and Lev’s engagement. Isla’s actions, or lack thereof, around commitment materialize as a direct response to her father’s actions. It’s complicated and, hopefully, something Running Point continues to explore. After all, “Beshert” clarifies that Isla and her siblings must heal before moving forward as a family or a franchise.
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What did you think of Running Point Season 1, Episode 5, “Beshert?” Let us know in the comments below!
Running Point Season 1 is streaming on Netflix now.
