It’s Halloween time on Ordinary Joe Season 1 Episode 5, “Mask On Mask Off,” and some unsettling secrets were revealed! Initially, I thought this show was going to be a wholesome ponderance about different life choices. Little did I know we were going to get some big drama.
While the show’s narrative is mostly third person, there’s no doubt it’s focused on Joe. The challenge is balancing three storylines and furthering multiple characters while providing more than a one-dimensional cast. Ordinary Joe understands the assignment but struggles to execute it well.
Through flashbacks, Eric’s coming out story is explored. It wasn’t a terrible scene, but nothing special. The dialogue between young Joe and young Eric was a bit cheesy, with Joe responding to Eric’s news, saying, “how can I support you?” It’s a nice moment shared, but there could have been more.
Even as Eric’s identity is explored, it’s not at the center of this episode, so it instead feels like a throwaway storyline.
Joe and Amy on Ordinary Joe. (Photo by: Fernando Decillis/NBC)
Couples therapy seemed to have smoothed things over in Jenny and Joe’s marriage, and Jenny rescinded the divorce papers. We knew it was going to happen. They’re just too good together. Although, Joe’s marriage to Amy in the red storyline is struggling and hitting new lows.
Joe continued to withhold his big secret from Amy, despite being relentless in connecting with Zeke. But, as expected, Bobby was the one to tell Amy that Joe’s been seen with Jenny a few too many times. In this red storyline, I thought Bobby was safe and not so overt with his attraction to Amy. However, during the Halloween soiree for her campaign, he puts on the googly eyes, and yep, they sleep together.
It would be easy to blame Amy’s infidelity on simply trying to hurt Joe the same way he hurt her, but it goes beyond that. Not to excuse Amy, but it’s clear her marriage with Joe hasn’t been fulfilling, and she’s looking for love and support from someone, and a few drinks later, Bobby is that person.
Although, to say I’m upset about this would be a lie. As Eric noted, Jenny and Joe are not friends. They have too much history together. And according to the quote by Rumi, “lovers don’t finally meet somewhere, they’re in each other all along.”
Joe and Jenny on Ordinary Joe. (Photo by: Fernando Decillis/NBC)
Perhaps this is why the green storyline is the most wholesome and least dramatic. Amy’s happily married to Eric, and there’s no thought about infidelity. Jenny and Joe are meant to be together, so the only conflict is between them, with no outside forces. It will be interesting to see how distance affects their relationship, though.
Meanwhile, in the blue storyline, Joe and Jenny play detective and look into Bobby’s history with Carrie, his old intern. Amy’s offended at the accusation at first, but when Bobby lies to her about there being others, she knows it’s a pattern.
Bobby’s got it coming for him, so he better watch his back. I hate that he’s a snake, but there has to be a least one in a show, and unfortunately, he is the easiest candidate.
What did you think of the newest installment? Which is your favorite storyline? Please don’t forget to leave your comments down below!
Stray Musings:
- Chris and Moh are mirror images of Joe and Eric. Also, the audition scene was incredible. No way Moh sounds that terrible. But, it’s good to see Chris at school and in an environment other than his house.
- We didn’t know Joe had an estranged sister, Camille, right? There must be a reason they lightly touched on it.
- Eric’s bisexual representation is certainly needed on TV right now. So, it’s good to see them highlight a bisexual, biracial man.
Rating: 3.5/5
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