The Big Door Prize Episode 4 Review
Episode 4 highlights one of my favourite characters so far, and adds some emotional moments to The Big Door Prize.
The Big Door Prize is nearly at the half way point and I’m enjoying it so far. The characters are really growing on me and I really like the style of the episodes. Taking one character and diving into who they are and how the MORPHO machine affects them is a really cool way of spinning this show. Credit for that might go to M.O. Walsh, the author of The Big Door Prize, but regardless I’m liking it.
Like many Apple TV Shows, outside of a couple like Black Bird and Ted Lasso, The Big Door Prize has been good but not great. Episode 4 fits that mold. Focusing on Father Rueben, played by Damon Gupton, episode 4 looks at how the MORPHO machine has impacted Father Rueben, and how it has impacted people’s views of his church. It also follows Dusty and Cass as they continue to struggle with the ideas that the MORPHO machine has brought to life.
Father Rueben appears to be a simple character on the surface, a holy man who walks through life with a smile and advice for anyone that needs it. In this episode we find out his life is far more complicated that that, and the cliffhanger set up last week is explored further. No spoilers here so I won’t talk about the details, but I really enjoyed how Rueben’s character was fleshed-out and Gupton has put on a good performance in this role. He struggles with the results from the MORPHO machine more than people assume, and his explanation as to why was well done.
The episode continues to carry one theme that I don’t love, and that is very cringey scenes every once in a while . It totally fits the characters, and it does hold some value in terms of character development, but goodness me is it uncomfy to watch. We do have some questionable characters in terms of personality, and I think that brings realism to the show that makes it a relatable watch. If you found out your life potential wasn’t what you thought it was, that would create massive earthquakes in all aspects of your life. Regardless, there are a few awkward scenes both in terms of events and acting, making this a less smooth watch that some current shows.
Overall, I enjoyed this week’s episode. The plot absolutely needs to find some ground and start going somewhere or we are in for a long 6 episodes. The character development has been really good, and I’m liking most of our characters, but at some point the show needs to move forwards a bit quicker or it is going to lose a lot of the audience.
The Big Door Prize Episode 4: Father Rueben – 8.3/10
