Running Point Season 1, Episode 7, “A Special Place in Hell,” has the ensemble’s consequences to their actions catch up to them with a domino effect. This episode, written by Brandon Childs and directed by Michael Weaver, is another strong outing that posits the sports comedy is over its initial hurdle. The script is tightly written – no story feels too shallow. Not to mention, “A Special Place in Hell” finds complementary bookends in concerning omens – Isla believes she put The Waves back on track and the opening lines to Steve Lacy’s “Dark Red.”
MORE: Running Point Season 1, Episode 1 Review: ‘Pilot’
Jackie and Sandy Face Consequences
Running Point builds off the good momentum of “The Yips” and addresses the sustainability of its stories, and no storyline needs that check-in more than Jackie’s. The previous episode speeds through so much that it’s a relief when this one brings it all to a screeching halt. All it takes is a beat for “A Special Place in Hell” to highlight the consequences of his actions on Jackie’s sexual health and public standing. It’s also exciting that this story opens up Roberto Sanchez’s role. This episode takes Stephen Ramirez beyond the Chief of the Board, who brings concerns to Isla’s attention. Stephen and Jackie’s conversation about Jackie’s place in the Gordon family is one of the episode’s strongest scenes.
“A Special Place in Hell” also confirms Running Point’s timeline from the perspective of Sandy and Charlie’s relationship. It’s both funny and a bit heartbreaking to watch Sandy try to make sense of Charlie moving on by breaking down how long it has been since “Beshert.” Alternatively, it’s easy to root for Charlie to find something supportive with someone else; Sandy isn’t ready for that kind of commitment. That distance means Running Point can take its time developing Sandy and building back up to his relationship with Charlie.
MORE: Celtics City Docuseries about Boston Celtics in Production at HBO
When Isla Gordon Meets Bonnie Bugg
This episode has another excellent guest star – The Sex Lives of College Girls’s Nicole Sullivan as Travis Bugg’s mom, Bonnie. “A Special Place in Hell” comments on the relationship between basketball players and their mothers. Still, the best part of Bonnie’s arrival is watching Sullivan and Kate Hudson go toe-to-toe. It’s genuinely exciting that it’s challenging to gauge where their scenes will go. Their conversations range from trash bag chicken and questionable feminist vision boards to green drink bits and women being more than one thing. That final point leads to an interesting reflection of how Isla will run the franchise.
Isla’s intention to bring more women into a male-dominated franchise in a male-dominated sport comes from a good place, but, of course, it backfires. It snowballs so quickly that Running Point sees a Scott Disick cameo and Bonnie punching Isla in the same minute. It’s a whirlwind that may help Running Point to remember that if it wants to follow more women in the franchise, perhaps Ali Lee is a good place to start. Brenda Song is so good (The Disney line is perfect!), yet the show barely exclusively follows her life and work at The Waves.
MORE: Running Point: Kate Hudson Manages a Basketball Team in Netflix Comedy
Travis Bugg Takes a Dangerous Turn
Likewise, “A Special Place in Hell” is only the second time Running Point follows a player – Travis, again – home. Chet Hanks is this episode’s standout performance. Hanks nails some of the same bits he’s become all too good at, but the script takes some turns that require him to stretch some dramatic muscles. “A Special Place in Hell” highlights how impressive – and rare – it is to thread that needle between hilarity and sincerity adequately, and Hanks does.
The Bonnie and Travis scene at Travis’s place begins that turn. The sequence finds a believable balance as their conversation tiptoes around the seriousness of professional brand deals and, more importantly, Travis’s history of pill abuse. Running Point builds from there in Travis and Isla’s scene. It’s a complex moment when Travis thanks Isla for getting Bonnie to step back. It will likely help his brand deal prospects, but unbeknownst to Isla, Bonnie’s absence has a much more direct impact on Travis’s health. Bonnie appears to be the only one who knows about Travis’s drug abuse, let alone the only one monitoring his medication for his knee, which is complicated – to say the very least. It’s certainly a nuanced place to end “A Special Place in Hell.”
MORE: Ted Lasso Season 4 Nears Greenlight – But With Who Returning and at What Cost?
—
What did you think of Running Point Season 1, Episode 7, “A Special Place in Hell?” Let us know in the comments below!
Running Point Season 1 is streaming on Netflix now.
