Greg and Katie take very different approaches to get to know their students in Rooster Season 1, Episode 6, “Cop Hawk,” and both backfire in disparate ways. This episode, written by Alan Bala & Tom McDonald and directed by Oz Rodriguez, rests on what this freshman comedy does well (Greg and Katie’s father/daughter relationship) almost too much.
It’s starting to feel like Rooster is trying to build connections between some characters where the level of on-screen investment is rather thin. Now that it’s halfway through the first season, the show’s weaker elements are becoming more unavoidable. With only four episodes left, I have to wonder if certain characters and their dynamics would feel stronger with a larger episode order. Regardless, there are narrative twists in “Cop Hawk” that work. It’s only that those confident turns underline the alternative.
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The ‘For Katie’ Campaign Takes a Turn
Zoey’s “For Katie” campaign comes to a screeching halt in this episode, similar to every time Greg tries to take his new bike for a spin. The tags around campus are a perfect opportunity for Katie to ponder what she wants her boundaries to be with her students. Part of the issue arises in Katie blaming herself for opening up to Zoey about Archie. There’s only one scene where that’s plausible, and Zoey does most of the talking about Katie’s marriage.
Rooster clearly intends for Zoey to see Katie as her favorite professor long before that first episode. The only thing is that their dynamic or even mentorship doesn’t feel all that defined on-screen yet. It’s also evident how little the show has gotten to know Zoey beyond her admiration for Katie in comparison to Tommy. Therefore, the conflict falls a bit flat, and, in turn, the resolution does, too.
Instead, the “For Katie” campaign finds its strongest root in Katie’s perception of her relationship with Archie. That dynamic feels so real in how genuinely confounding it is. Charly Clive and Phil Dunster commit to every awkward and genuine beat of their characters’ relationship. Dunster, in particular, is eerily good at making Archie both completely charming and downright grating. What seems like a simple choice becomes more confusing because of how Rooster goes back and forth with these two.
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Rooster Needs More of Sunny and Dylan
That’s less true for Sunny and Archie, even with the glimmer of what could be in that pep talk scene. Nevertheless, Sunny’s internal conflict of wanting to stay near Archie for the sake of their child is reasonable. It’s also a testament to her, but she’s always been better than him. Really, “Cop Hawk” is another example of Sunny and Mo’s friendship being more interesting than her romance, if it can even be called that, with Archie.
It’s unfortunate that Rooster only delivers that dynamic in vignettes or mostly quips from Mo. Then again, it hasn’t really delivered with Sunny and Walt’s mentorship, either. Their scenes mostly exist to convey developments, like obtaining the Biotecha interview and getting the Biotecha job. It would be beneficial to the story’s resonance if Rooster spent more time with the characters between those points.
Likewise, it’s a bit of a letdown that Dylan tells Greg about the work she’s proud to have already accomplished as the Dean of Faculty. Of course, it would be impossible for Rooster to show everything she does in the job. Plus, it works for their dynamic to see Greg celebrate her wins with her. Even so, it would be nice to see her in the weeds of the job, even if Riggs’ return is inevitable.
He is too good a “villain” to let go. So, more of Dylan’s job would create an even clearer picture of comparison between the two. Then there’d be even more emotion in seeing the job ripped out from under Dylan just as she’s starting to make it her own. Essentially, Lauren Tsai and Danielle Deadwyler are excellent, and Rooster can only get better with more of them. Fingers crossed for the next four episodes!
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Greg’s Love Life Just Got More Complicated
Alternatively, this season does such a great job of consistently representing Greg and Dylan’s evolving relationship. It’s excellent that she’s excited by his bike. That payoff from Katie saying that Greg needs to be with whoever loves that bike is too sweet. On the other hand, “Cop Hawk” does a lot of necessary work for Greg and Cristle’s relationship. Annie Mumolo is heartbreaking when Cristle’s face reflects her disappointment when Greg defines their relationship as casual. It’s such a great moment of insight into this character.
It’s really rewarding that “Cop Hawk” spends time with Cristle – or Cystal – to see her as a whole person. That character development feels far more natural for the show than the hockey subplot that still feels too disjointed from the rest. Therefore, the reveal that DJ, a vague character, is the campus cop’s son isn’t all that exciting or engaging. While invested in his recovery on a broad level, it’s also hard to grasp Coach Jake’s role on the show so far.
There’s little depth in those tertiary characters, which becomes more noticeable opposite a supporting character like Tommy. His dynamic with Greg is bizarre and fun and endearing. It’s also completely psychologically revealing for both of them about their roles as fathers and sons, respectively. So, it’s not entirely surprising that Crystal is Tommy’s mom, but that reveal is genius in content and execution. It’s such a perfect note for Greg to end on after encouraging Katie to be friendlier with her students. Perhaps Greg is rethinking his approach now.
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