Before I get into this episode's review, I want to apologize for any confusion that I might have caused those of you following/watching along with me. I somehow didn't realize Netflix had started the next episode on me after I finished Episode 2, so some of the things I briefly mentioned in that post (GJ's conversation with Robin and the hidden room in the bathroom) actually happened in Episode 3. I apologize for the confusion and wanted to mention it now before there's even more confusion when I mention them in this post. Thanks, as always, for reading!
Top of the Lake is an interesting property. It's already clearly a well structured and paced series with each episode building upon the last, revealing more about each of the characters and the peeling back the layers of the overriding mystery. But it's also interesting that each episode seems to have its own sustained theme that drives the actions of the characters. In the last episode it was the idea of hunting and how all of the characters were looking for something or be sought after by others. While I'm not sure if someone could come in to this episode having not seen the previous two and completely understand it or "enjoy" it to the full effect, as a single, standalone episode of television, Episode 3 is fantastic glimpse into the striking similarities between the otherwise drastically different Robin Griffin and Matt Mitchem. And as just one piece of the seven episode puzzle that is Top of the Lake, it continues the wonderful elaboration of the mysteries, the characters and the fascinating world of Laketop, New Zealand.
Despite all their apparent dissimilarities, throughout this entire episode Robin and Matt Mitchem both engage in various degrees of self-loathing and self-abuse. Up to this point, Robin has remained a pillar of justice and strong, independent femininity in a hostile, male-dominated environment. Yes, Robin has left her mother up the proverbial creek without a paddle, selfishly abandoning her to deal with what we find out is a terminal cancer diagnosis because of her inability to cope with her mother's situation. And yes, maybe Tui's case is a way for her to take control of something after feeling so helpless with her mother. But Robin genuinely believes, and it seems rightfully so, that she can be the sole voice for Tui - perhaps the only hope of bringing the young girl home alive. And in being Tui's lone champion, she continues to display great courage and resolve in the face of tremendous ostracism.
But this episode makes it painfully obvious that Robin isn't as steely as she would have everyone believe. Her texts back and forth with detective Steve give way to an uneasy phone conversation where he demands to know when she is coming home and calls her out on her rationalizations for her lengthy stay. We also learn that the pair's engagement has lasted over 5 years, much of which seems to be caused by Robin's continued foot-dragging. "Why don't you just marry him?" Her mother questions. "Maybe I'm waiting for him to find someone better," she replies. Much like Peggy Olsen in Mad Men, Robin's self-destructive nature becomes more and more evident as the episode progresses. In addition to continuing to string Steve along, she reignites an old flame with Johnno Mitchem, beginning with a brief but intense encounter in the local bar's bathroom and ending with a liaison in Mitchem's bedroom where he frankly (and in a laughably unsubtle way) tells her to keep her engagement ring on during the deed. Deciding to call Johnno instead of a fellow officer when she became trapped in Wolfgang's cabin from hell clearly wasn't smart. (Though that seems to have little consequences as of now.) But starting a sexual relationship with your prime suspect's son? C'mon, Robin!
That prime suspect, Matt Mitchem, isn't doing too well either. As the show continues and we move deeper and deeper into these characters, the almost cartoonishly evil Mitchem has proven to actually be one of the more interesting and unpredictable characters in the series. He is truly a fascinating human being, with moments of sincere kindness and warmth sneaking into a personality dominated by hostility, violence and vehement anger. He's the kind of guy who can kindly love on a chihuahua while still running an large psychotropic drug plant. (Don't worry guys, Tui isn't locked away in some hidden dungeon. It's just a GIANT DRUG LAB.) Mitchem gets a bit of a reprieve when the police find Wolfgang hanging in a tree with panties on his head and an apologetic suicide note in his cabin. But although most of the department is convinced of Wolfgang's involvement, Robin (like us in the audience) remains dubious of Zanic's guilt, especially when a shallow grave in the forest reveals the remains of a dead canine.
Peter Mullen's portrayal of Mr. Mitchem continues to be incredibly complex and emotionally confusing (in a good way). Yes, he can be apathetically cruel and harshly violent. But he's also, I'll say it, really damn charming. It's clear that he has an ability to form strong relationships in other manners than threats and abuse. His encounter with Detective Parker suggests an agreement that has been going on for some time and it's obviously strong enough to override Parker's apparent feelings for Robin. Mitchem also exudes charisma in his interactions with the women of "Paradise." Though those flowers swathed in wrapping paper were for GJ and though she doesn't fall for his charms, many of the other women were clearly intrigued - in particular Anita (Robyn Malcolm), who finds Mitchem so enticing and mysterious that she looks past the notable cracks in his facade. But this doesn't last too long after Mitchem decides to introduce Anita to his dead mother, only to viciously chastise her for standing on the grave and proceed to flagellate himself with a belt while reciting various vows and promises.
All in all, Episode 3 is a mixed bag. The amazing performances by Elisabeth Moss and Peter Mullen are obvious highlights. I've already mentioned Mullen's complex performance, and Moss continues to be brilliantly subtle with Robin's emotions. (Her reactions to her mother revealing her cancer is terminal and to seeing the home movie of Tui singing are just amazing to watch.) It's now become clear that both Robin's and Mitchem's vulnerabilities will play major roles in their ongoing involvement in Tui's disappearance. Whether it be Robin's self-destructive tendencies or the fact that, based on how he treats his dead mother's grave, Matt Mitchem really does care about family as much as he says, it's not hard to see how these things will affect the investigation. And, more importantly, how both Robin and Matt will use these vulnerabilities against one another.
If I had one complaint about this week's episode, it would be the lack of subtly in the dialogue. From Robin's "Can we do a bit more of the wrong thing before we do the right thing?" to the aforementioned "Leave your wedding ring on while I plow you." thing, I didn't really need to have Robin and Johnno's relationship spelled out for me. It's wrong. It's subversive. It's "edgy." I get it. But there is that really dark and hilarious moment where one of the women of "Paradise" answers "What's in this locked shipping container?" with "It's where we keep all the dead kids," to make up for it. It's incredibly quick and easy to miss and really awful, but incredibly funny.
Until next time, how are all of you liking (or disliking) things so far?
