Maniac: Episode 3, "Having a Day"

 Maniac: Episode 3, "Having a Day" 

September 21, 2018

“Having a Day” is a solid episode that shows the direction the show wants to go in. The first episode focused on a wide variety of “genres,” but this episode veers towards dark comedy. The episode has some dark themes, but some incredible laughs. We see Owen describe one of the worst days of his life, where his brother sings a cringy version of “Every Breath You Take” to his fiancé with some nose bops mixed in (ugh). He jumps out the window but manages to even get that wrong! I could not help but laugh. Also, this episode finally introduces us to Justin Theroux’s Dr. Mantleray. The introduction…is out of this world. I will not spoil but be prepared to be charmed by this pathetic man who used to be an item with Dr. Fujita. Theroux’s performance is top-notch. As always, the episode still manages to be weird. The production design still continues to be thoughtful. The script is not the most fresh, but Fukunaga continues to make his characters believable within the world of mental illness, and that is a hard feat to accomplish.

After the first part of the trial is complete, Dr. Muramoto flags three people (Owen and Annie amongst them) to be kicked out of the study. Owen, because he did not take the pill and Annie, because she already had a pill. He undertakes intense interviews with them. He makes Owen describe the worst day of his life (a fabricated story?). As he is about to interview Annie, he collapses dead from a drug overdose. Annie and Owen have their first legitimate conversation about Annie finding his drug stash. Dr. Fujita, in order to continue the study, needs to find Dr. Mantelray’s seedy apartment so he can finish the study. Once the study resumes, the B pill is now used, and our main characters are taken back to what seems to be a wild ride in the 1980’s.

I thought the episode did a good job pushing the show in the right direction. I was caught by surprise by Muramoto’s passing (and loved Emma Stone’s hilarious reaction). I don’t think any of us will look at virtual reality the same way again after Theroux’s introduction which will guarantee to blow your mind. Is it just me, or does GRTA seem to know much about everyone. I have seen too many science fiction movies, so I am bound to believe that will not turn out well. Anyhow, a good episode that advances the plot!

My Grade: B+


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