Tag: tv

The Greatest Teams, Blind Dates, and Relationships with Dads

The Greatest Teams, Blind Dates, the Man City Ted Lasso episode, and Relationships with Dads on this episode of the Torg Stories Podcast. Recorded Sunday, January 19, 2025.

Summary and discussion questions for Season 2, Episode 8 of Ted Lasso. The episode was titled “Man City.”

  • We open with Dr. Sharon on a video conference with her therapist. She says Coach Ted Lasso is driving her crazy. It’s clever writing that allows us to hear her evaluation of Ted and herself. Her therapist says Ted isn’t going to make himself vulnerable unless she meets him halfway.
  • Dr. Sharon has a bike wreck.
  • We go to the Coaches office. Ted hasn’t shown up for work. They’ve got maybe the biggest match in the history of the club coming up at Wembley, the FA Cup. Roy leaves too. Beard agrees to let Nate plan training.
  • We start to see more of Jamie’s dad with some weight room texts. We also get the contrast of Sam’s Dad. There’s quite a bit about relationships with Dad. What would you say about your relationship with our dad? How did it work? How did it not work?
  • Rebecca and Sam, who still don’t know they are texting each other in a dating app, make plans to meet. (I haven’t really seen this trope in shows. Have you?)
  • Ted goes to check on Dr. Sharon in the hospital. The doctor thinks they are married. Ted says, “Let me help you out with that sweetheart.” I found this to be one of the funniest (like this example) most emotionally moving (the Roy hug Jamie) episodes of the season.
  • I wish I was keeping track of funniest scenes, best lines, best episode, most emotionally moving moments.
  • Roy needed to go to school for Phoebe. LOL: Phoebe calls classmate an apathetic shart effer. The teacher has a great line: You know the influence you on her. Use it.
  • Ted and Sharon walk home. She left him a bunch of voice notes.
  • Issaac gives a special haircut. Maybe I should call practice training. What if you only have “textual chemistry”?
  • Jamie’s dad planning on coming to Wembley. Higgins in an office. “I try to love my dad for who he is and forgive him for who he isn’t.”
  • Roy in car with Phoebe. Here’s her house. Because of you, I stand up to bullies. Roy goes in for one game of Princess and Dragon.
  • Ted at Sharon’s house. Kind of inspect’s it. “It’s temporary, she says.” What isn’t? Ted responds. Kyrie joke. Get to see Sharon closed up.
  • Rebecca waiting outside the restaurant and not going in. Rebecca and Keeley really good friends. We get the Sam and Rebecca blind date.
Sam and Rebecca go on a blind date
  • Ted calls to check on Sharon. She tells him she was scared about not being able to ride her bike.
  • The team goes to Wembley and Ted tries to recreate the speech from Hoosiers. This is like what they did with the Iverson practice speech. It’s remixed in a really funny way. I did the same last year when we played at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. I even yelled Watauga into the stands like Jamie yelled Richmond.
  • Jamie’s dad wears Man city stuff. Ted breathing exercise. Me too! Ted makes himself vulnerable by telling the staff about his panic attack. Everyone confesses stuff. Do you remember any of the confessions?
  • The announcing before the kickoff is fantastic. Those are real announcers. They refer to Manchester City as one of the great teams of all time. I asked you to name the greatest teams you remember watching. Mine appear below.
  • Nate the great calls the official Mike Dean a name and gets a yellow card. This is a big no no for assistants. The official is a real official and has now moved into working in the replay center. Love how un emotionally he gives the yellow card. Richmond is really routed. This happens. It’s a hard thing to endure and requires some special mental work.
  • Jamie’s dad comes into the locker room and Jamie ends up punching him. It’s a completely humiliating experience and a tough one to apply Higgins’s advice to. Roy hugs Jamie. Beard throws Jamie’s dad out. We’re starting to see that Coach Beard might be a tough guy.
  • Ted is inspired by what he sees Roy do that he goes outside, calls Dr. Sharon and tells her that his dad killed himself when he was 16.
  • Coach Beard essentially tells Ted that he needs to go out and blow off some steam. This sets up the next episode, “Beard After Hours.” This is the episode in addition to the Christmas Special that the writers came up with when Apple ordered two extra episodes. It’s also based somewhat on the actor Brendan Hunt, who plays Beard, his time in Amsterdam.
  • Ted calls out to Beard, “Hey Coach, bird by bird.” This is an allusion to Anne Lamott’s book on writing, Bird by Bird. That line shows me all that is probably there that I don’t see and that they would bring in that book I love is probably a sign that my tastes have great connections to the writers’ tastes.
  • Love what Sam says in his press conference about the loss at Wembley. He’s talking about football and he’s talking to Rebecca. We tried. Did you try? If you try, you can end up losing a lot. Sam gives her his address.

Greatest Teams Ever I Remember:

  1. 1986 Bears Super Bowl Champs: Walter Payton. Mike Singletary. Mike Ditka. Didn’t get Peyton a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
  2. 1986 Boston Celtics: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson, and Bill Walton.
  3. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. 72-10. Jordan, Harper, Longley, Pippen, Rodman, Kerr, Kukoc
  4. 2017 and the 2018 Golden State Warriors who repeated as champions: Curry, Thompson, Green, Durant. KD was the 2017 and 2018 Finals MVP. Off ball movement and screening. The shotmaking.
  5. 2007 New England Patriots. 16-0 and lost in the Super Bowl to the Giants. Brady, Moss, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Wes Welker
  6. Honorable mention for me: 1987 Indiana Hoosiers with Knight coaching, Alford, Keith Smart hits the shot, Daryl Thomas, Dean Garrett, Joe Hillman, Ricky Calloway

The Roy Kent Effect, If People Can Change, and Whether or Not You Should Say Something

On this episode of the Torg Stories Podcast, Anne and I discuss The Roy Kent Effect and a team’s confidence, whether or not we think people can change, and if you should say something to your friend about their relationship.

Season 2, Episode 5 Summary and Discussion Questions:

  • Richmond add Roy Kent as an assistant coach and the team starts to believe.
  • Cut to Rebecca sleeping with some guy from dating apps while also texting with someone on Keeley’s BANTR app. Do you believe in guardian angels? Naked guy in kitchen. That okay? Rebecca’s mom shows up and says she’s leaving her husband.
  • Coach Lasso arrives to work. He knows everyone by name and stuff about their lives. Call back to laughing Liam. We’ve heard about him. Mantra for Collin: “I am a strong and capable man.” Doctor Sharon pushes Ted to do an appointment with her.
  • Who is Mr. Pufnstuf? It is a 1970 American comedy fantasy musical film produced by Sid and Marty Krofft Enterprises and released by Universal Pictures. It is based on the children’s television series H.R. Pufnstuf, a show that features a cast of puppets on a “living island.”
  • Into the coaches office. FA Cup. March Madness Tournament. NBA Cup. Pearl Jam vs. Ticketmaster. Higgins pokes his head in the office. Beard is exhausted. He and Jane got back together. Higgins is against this. None of the other guys will say anything. Higgins feels like they should. None of the guys jump in to defend Higgins saying something.
  • We learn Nate the Great’s dad told his HS girlfriend that she could do better. “Stupid barking means the meeting is over, right?” asks Roy. Now Jane is moving in.
  • The practice field: Jamie positive. The team believes in the Roy Kent Effect. Roy won’t catch Jamie. Roy says they can take 4% of his check. Roy and Beard play secret sandwich switch every other Friday. Ted goes to lunch with Rebecca and her mom. She lists her sort of bio… Let’s come up with three adjectives to describe ourselves and each other.
    • Ted has something with his son at school. Henry forgot his lunch. Freaks out for a second. His ex wife shows up and it’s okay. Jamie comes in and says someone needs to tell Roy to coach him. Keeley gives advice: she agrees with everything he says. Try that Jamie. I like this…let whatever they say sit. Jamie had called the coaches Philistines. Beard tells him he’s going to want to look up Philistines. Ted Lasso is a show that has a lot you could look up.
    • What do you think of Rebecca’s mom? They are in Mae’s bar. Ted gives the advice, “to leave people well.” The boys are yelling at a baking show like it’s a football game.
    • Ted says, “People can change.” Can they? “Poor little cake” chant.
    • We see Jane on a face time call. She’s going to Cafe Solo to meet Finn for a coffee. He’s an underwear model. How is this relationship looking? Higgins overhears the conversation.
    • Jamie tries out the agreeing with everything Roy says advice. Roy makes him say a bunch of things such as, “I am an ugly, ugly boy.” Roy takes Jamie’s side. Roy says Ted messed him up by making him a team player. The team needs Jamie to get into people’s heads. He has to go back to being that way sometimes. Roy says they will give him a signal.
    • Rebecca texting with the guy she was sleeping with and still getting texts on the BANTR app. Mom skipping game and going to a reading. Mom will make Rebecca’s favorite. Any memories of mom making stuff for you?
    • Back to football. Trying to win match to go to Wembley to play in final. Shot of the pub watching the game. Funny bar joke, “If we win I will channel my enthusiasm in ways to help my community.” The coaching staff gives him the signal which is everyone flipping him off. “We apologize for the fruity sign language.” Jamie calls his shot which seems like Larry Bird and Jason Sudeikis certainly has the basketball background to know about that. In our book, it says that Jamie hits this shot on the first try. Real celebration that followed.
    • Jealously among coaching staffs…among work teams / staffs.
    • Higgins has a gagging noise he makes when he’s stressed. Jane lurks around the car park. Tipsy Reese Witherspoon. One of the big questions of the episode, do you say anything? Lots of stories of how it doesn’t work out. Higgins says, “You have to keep trying.” Dad and my first marriage.
    • Ted has a panic attack. What factors would you say are contributing to this? He hustles off. Love the third fan, “Be kind, he looks poorly.” The team is mostly sympathetic.
    • Nate takes over. Spits. “Park the bus.” Nate is assertive. Obisanya to Tart and he scores and they win and they are going to Wembley. Emotional moment for Rebecca about Ted in the locker room and the team comes celebrating in. Roy passes along the credit to Nate. He’s a team player. Nate is all dressed up. Nate messes up the saying and says he’s not some kind of Wonder Kid. It catches on.
    • Higgins. You’re a great man. Does Jane make you greater? Beard seems to appreciate it.
    • The flip off signal. Hand signals are difficult as a coach, just to get enough, especially that can be signaled with one hand.
    • Nate scrolls social media. Roy, “Great fucking work today.” Do we understand how this can happen to Nate?
    • The team asks Dr. Sharon to go out with them. It’s a team!
    • Rebecca calls Ted on the way home. Offers help. Ted is laying in Dr. Sharon’s office.
    • Rebecca was right about her mom. Her dad bought her mom a Tesla. She sees if the guy on BANTR has left a message. He hasn’t and so she calls Hunky Luka. It’s revealed that it’s Sam who has been texting her. Like the Ginobili reference in that Drake song. “I wanna make an appointment,” says Ted to end the episode.
    • What happened? Where are we going?

Hope you had a great holiday and we wish you a happy New Year! Thanks for listening to the Torg Stories Podcast!

Thanksgiving Reflections, Anne Wins in Vegas, and Do the Right Thing With Ted Lasso

Welcome to the Torg Stories Podcast. On this episode we’re doing Thanksgiving Reflections, asking Anne about being an Aunt, and Discussing Doing the Right Thing with Ted Lasso on Season 2, Episode 3. Anne, you went to Vegas by yourself for Thanksgiving!

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  • Colts win! (But it was stressful)
  • Anne wins pretty big (for us) in Vegas!
  • Christmas lists

Questions for Anne about Thanksgiving trip to Las Vegas:

  1. Booked when? Why?
  2. How many stops on the drive? What do you get at White Castle?
  3. Stayed where, why? Looked like a great room!
  4. Tell us about where you went. Any more eating?
  5. You won, at least for us, a big bet!
What’s the big deal about White Castle?
Anne’s room at The Venetian in Las Vegas
Donnie Osmond still at it!

Torg Thanksgiving in Boone:

  1. 8:30 Optional Shooting with the Team. 10 players and three dads came!
  2. Brunch: hash brown casserole, french toast casserole, sausage balls
  3. Bet on the Bears with $5 from Draft Kings for my birthday. Bears incredibly mismanage clock to lose 23-20. Coach gets fired a couple of days later.
  4. As my wife Megan would say, “Linner.” Turkey, Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes
The Torg Women and the Thanksgiving Food Spread

Summary and Discussion Questions for Season 2, Episode 3 of Ted Lasso titled “Do the Rightest Thing.”

  • Opens with Alanis Morisette’s “Hand in My Pocket” and Sassy’s kid Nora sitting out front of Rebecca’s office. Rebecca’s nickname is Stinky and so in this case, Aunt Stinky. Anne, how is Rebecca doing as Aunt Stinky?
  • Compare and contrast that to Aunt Anne? What are the responsibilities, if any, for an Aunt?
  • Coach Lasso answers questions at a press conference about all of the ties and about the return of Jamie. Cut to the locker room. Jamie is isolated from his teammates. Jamie apologizes. I wonder what the worst thing he did is and then the players run down a list of things he did. Remember any of those Anne Everyone is getting on Keeley’s new dating app, BANTR.
  • At first, Sam is excited for his deal with Dubai Air but his family tells him about the impact of Cerithium Oil and he decides to back out of his deal. Rebecca has to communicate this to the team’s sponsor. Episode inspired by the “Shut up and dribble” comments to LeBron.
  • Roy says kids don’t need a parade everyday, the little idiots. They just want to feel a part of your life. Compare our childhoods to my kids’ childhoods.
  • The team continues to isolate Jamie and Ted tries a plan to become Led Tasso, the evil opposite of Ted and the plan is meant to bring the team together in their anger at Ted.
  • Nora tells Aunt Stinky – Rebecca who owns the team — Sometimes you have to do the right thing even if you lose. What’s the right thing here? With Apple, Amazon, Nike and Wal Mart, we’ve given up, right? Has just about everyone?
  • The way Jamie finally does win over his teammates is that he joins the guys on covering up their jerseys. “We’re a team, ain’t we? Gotta wear the same kit.”
  • Ted turns the press conference over to Sam. He tells him, “Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing.”
  • Episode ends with Nora getting a picture with Sam and the team. There’s a montage of a bunch of pictures that different cast members take with the team. Anne, any pics with famous people?

Anne, what protests can you remember? Some athlete protests:

  1. (1961) Bill Russell and the Celtics boycott a game in Kentucky after being refused service.
  2. (1967) Muhammad Ali refuses the draft. “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong.” Convicted but never served jail time.
  3. (1970) Billie Jean King sits out US Open Tennis because men make $12,500 and women $1,500.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Torg Stories Podcast!

Ted Lasso “Goodbye Earl”

It’s basketball season for me, and Anne and I are returning to the Apple Television show Ted Lasso. We think think with a coach as the main character and many allusions to sports and pop culture, there will be plenty for us to talk about. Anne, I’m hoping that one episode a week will be manageable as start a new basketball season at Watauga High School in Boone, North Carolina.

We watched episode 1 of season two called “Goodbye Earl.” Anne, I think this beats the titles we were working with when we were talking about HBO’s The Penguin television show.

Summary and Discussion Questions for “Goodbye Earl,” Episode 1 of Season 2:

  • Before we get in to episode 1 of season 2, season one ended with the Richmond football team being relegated from the Premiere League to The Championship level. Anne, I would love for professional teams to face relegation.
  • Season 2 opens with the sound of Ted Lasso’s Richmond football team in action. First we see black and then we start with a tight shot on Nate’s eyes. Why would we get this?
  • We learn that Richmond has a chance to tie the record with 7 straight ties. At the end of season 1, even though Coach Lasso thought it was bad juju to hope for a tie, he ended up hoping for it but lost. Now all Richmond can do is tie. The match ends with Danny Rojas having a penalty kick. The Richmond mascot Earl the greyhound chases a bird and gets hit with the ball and dies. Twitter goes bonkers over the death.
  • At the postgame press conference, Coach Ted Lasso is asked about the ties. He responds by saying there are two buttons he never presses: the panic button and the snooze. Anne, do you press these buttons?
  • Ted is also asked about the death of Earl. In response, Coach Lasso tells a story about being attacked by a dog when he was a child. He has a line in there that goes something like, “We can cry because something existed. We can cry because it’s gone.” Coach Lasso’s responses to adversity are part of what makes this show great. I tell my players that resilience might be the greatest gift I received from sports.
  • Danny is in the shower trying to wash the death off. I am often in this spot trying to decide if I talk to the athlete or if the athlete needs space. The mental side of sports seems to be around in my life a lot now. Confidence is so crucial.
  • Retired footballer Roy Kent, who is dating Keely who who works for the team now, coaches kids including his niece Phoebe. This is a very funny part of the show. Roy is often cursing at the kids and here he calls them little pricks. Somehow, they all love him. Ms. Bowen, who I think is the kids’ teacher, comes to the game and tells Roy he can’t call the kids that even if they are little pricks.
  • Roy, his girlfriend Keeley, and his niece Phoebe go out for hot chocolate. They sit on a bench by the river. That we see so much of greater London is a pleasure of the show. Phoebe marks down Roy’s swears and he gets charged for them like a swear jar. Keeley tries to get Roy to be a football pundit for Skye Sports. Anne, Roy reminds me of you here. He objects so violently that maybe that means he actually is thinking of doing it.
  • Cut to seems like another game and another Dani Rojas penalty kick. We get a cartoon image of Earl the greyhound. Turns out it is a dream. Dani wakes up in terror and we see that he is sleeping with two women. Dani realizes, Football is Death.
  • Ted delivers his daily biscuits to Rebecca and she is disappointed he isn’t Keeley. She wanted to talk about the man she has started to date. Ted learns about girl talk, about how it really can be “girl listen.” His one question for Rebecca is, “Is he nice to you?”
Coach Lasso is late to practice after helping the owner pick out her nail polish
  • Dani has the yips. As they are discussed in the coaches office, none of the coaches will say the word “yips.” Ted says he is more stumped than Paul Bunyan’s local forest. The humor of the show depends heavily on this sort of saying. Nate has a ruthless side. He’s tough on the kit manager. He suggests just showing Dani his massive paycheck. Anne, when it comes to something like not saying the word “yips,” are you superstitious? Writer’s block…
  • The Dutch are said to be bluntly rude. There is an allusion to the film Magnolia. Ted says to Beard, “What you talking about Willis?” I read a Wikipedia entry that wrongly stats Beard’s first name is Willis. I have asked that same question at least 50 times in my life.
  • Roy, Keeley, Rebecca, and whatever that guys name is go on a double date. He tells a Martin Short story. Roy gives his great speech about not settling and you ought to feel you’ve been struck by lighting in a relationship. Anne, these seem like high relationship expectations?
  • In Mae’s English Pub, Beard and Ted talk about therapy. Ted says he is Midwestern skeptical. They argue about the Gin Blossoms and that reminds me of the Wheezer SNL skits. The show sometimes has an SNL sensibility.
  • Psychologist Sharon Fieldstone arrives and takes Higgins office. She quickly cures Dani of the yips. The entire team starts meeting with her. Why won’t she wave back to Ted? Dani has realized: Football is life. Football is also death. Football is football. But mostly football is life.
  • Rebecca has an epiphany as she daydreams while having coffee with her date. There’s something about letting go of fear and making oneself vulnerable. She breaks up with the guy.
  • Roy spends the evening with the yoga moms watching Lust Conquers All. The show ends with Roy asking for more wine irritated that all the women he is with love Jamie. Anne, of the man Rebecca broke up with, Roy, or Jamie, who is more your type?
Roy Kent watches Lust Conquers All with the yoga moms

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Torg Stories Podcast!

The Penguin Season 1 Finale

It’s the season finale of HBO’s The Penguin on this episode of the Torg Stories Podcast.

It worked pretty well last episode that we work our way through a summary and pause when we think we’ve got something to talk about.

“Top Hat” Episode 7 Summary of HBO’s The Penguin

  • The episode starts with Oz–The Penguin–in a flashback as a kid. He wears a brace. He has two older brothers and there is some tension that the mother babies Oz because of the condition of his leg and/or foot. Oz’s mother Francis is working at the table and while it looks like she might be paying bills, she is actually doing bookwork for a local mobster whose name I think is Rex Calabrese. The Cobb brothers go down into the underground trolley system to play flashlight tag. The older brothers break the rules and go to a place that will be difficult for Oz to get to because it includes a ladder. Oz decides not to try and descend the ladder and instead locks the door for the boys to get out. Oz returns home and watches a movie with his mother Francis.
  • We return to the present where is getting back to Crown Point and the power is on. The building is called “The Zoo” and the sign is all lit up. When he gets to the apartment, he finds Victor on the floor unconscious and bleeding and his mother missing. She has been taken by Sofia.
  • Sofia makes breakfast for Oz’s mom Francis. They have her locked in a room in the family mansion. As Sofia questions Francis about Oz, something triggers Francis and she goes back in time to when she lost her boys. Does she know that her boys drowned because Oz locked them in the trolley tunnels? Francis slaps Sofia across the face and Sofia tells her guard to stand down. Dr. Julian Rush, who tortured Sofia then helped her get out of Arkham Mental Hospital and is now sleeping with her–comes in with the news that the child Gia might talk to the police about what she saw on the night Sofia killed their family. Dr. Rush offers to “handle” Gia but Sofia says she’ll talk to her and she asks Rush to talk to Oz’s mom.
  • Oz gives himself up when he hears that Sofia and Sal have his mother. Sal drags Oz into the tunnels to the Bliss drug making home base. Oz continues to try and bargain with Sal after burning and killing his wife and son. One of Oz’s crew cuts the power. Oz and Sal fight and Sal dies of a heart attack during the fight. Oz’s men overcome Sal and Sofia’s henchmen.
  • Sofia goes to see her niece Gia at whatever facility she is being held and Sofia has flashbacks to her time at Arkham. Sofia tells Gia, “Don’t hurt yourself because of them.” What is Sofia sorting through here?
  • Oz calls Sofia from Sal’s phone. Doc Rush has a red light going as he interviews Francis. Sophia has an epiphany. She is playing her dad’s game. What is the new game? Sofia says she wants to be free. She also wants revenge and wants to see Oz suffer. This evokes the Batman theme of vengeance when Batman calls himself Vengeance.
  • We have another swap in which Sofia will return Oz’s mom and Oz will giver over the bliss operation. What did you think would be in the van? Why? Turns out it is a bomb and the whole Bliss operation is destroyed.
  • We return to little Oz and his mom on the night they went out dancing when his mother finally started to come back from the loss of her sons. The club is called Monroe’s. Oz promises he won’t quit trying to give his mother what she deserves. Why do people think they deserve stuff? Anne, do you deserve to be happy?
  • Back to the present outside of Monroe’s again and Oz is covered in the dust of the explosion. It looks like 9/11. The dirty drop addict detective comes up to Oz and whacks him with some kind of stick weapon. Seems like they are going to drag him to meet with Sofia and Francis.

Episode 7 discussion questions:

  1. How malicious does Oz seem to be in this episode as a kid?
  2. Trauma is a major theme. Sofia. Francis. Gia the niece? What happened to Oz’s face do you think?
  3. Do we think all Oz really wants is to fulfill his childhood promises to his mother?
  4. Oz has inspired loyalty from his men.
  5. Sofia reminds me of 101 Dalmations’ character Cruella DeVil.
  6. At this point, what does Oz have? What’s up with Vic?

Summary for “A Great or Little Thing,”

Episode 8 the final episode of Season 1 The Penguin

  • Doc Julian is talking to Oz’s mother Francis for Sofia, trying to learn whatever they can to make Oz suffer. We flashback to Francis talking to the neighborhood gangster Rex, and we learn that Francis knows that Oz killed his brothers. Rex offers to use Oz’s monster-ness or he says he’ll take care of the kid, as in kill him. Francis chooses to “let go” and have Oz killed for killing his brothers.
  • Francis take Oz out for one last night on the town to the Monroe’s Club. Oz gives a speech about seeing his mother, and the speech is so powerful that Francis decides she wants Oz to live. Oz notably says, I mean what I say.
  • Cut to the present: after being knocked out by Sofia’s men when they took Oz’s mom Francis, Victor is now directing cars to bring Oz an army to fight for their business and Oz’s mom. They come upon the explosion.

Oz–The Penguin–walks the streets of Gotham after

an explosion destroys his drug operation.

  • Sofia plays a new game. She has brought Oz and his mother together, the game being to try and get Oz to tell his mom the truth about killing his brothers. The scene evokes some of the old Jerry Springer drama. Oz won’t do it. Francis tells Oz he is a disappointment. His mother breaks a bottle and stabs Oz in the stomach. She has a stroke. Oz’s chair falls and he is able to get away. Sofia escapes with Doc Julian.
  • Oz puts his mom over his shoulder and walks out of Monroe’s. He shoots the crooked drop head detective we’ve seen a couple of times before. Oz takes his mom to the hospital. He and Victor reconnect. Oz is ready to give up but Victor gives a speech about Oz putting the people of Crown Point to work and getting the power back on. Oz makes a joke: you practiced that didn’t you, kid?
  • Sofia meets the gangs and says the first group to bring her Oz gets everything. Sofia is going to leave to do, what? Ironic she already had the chance to leave. Link calls Victor to ask if he is with Oz. We might assume he wants to get Oz to turn him in so his gang can inherit Sofia’s gang kingdom.
  • Oz goes to meet Councilman Sebastian Hady. He sets up a story where Sofia has sent explosives into the tunnels to blow up the Maroni drug operation. Oz and the Councilmen reach a deal about what the “truth” will be. When Oz comes out of city hall from meeting with the Councilman, the Triad gang is waiting for him. Victor is nowhere to be seen. The Triad calls Sophia to tell her that they have Oz. Sophie burns down her house and heads to the airport to leave town and retrieve Oz.

Sofia lights up cigarettes that she will use to burn down the family house

  • The Triad gang–with Link–bring Oz to the hangar to meet Sofia. What do we think she’s going to do with Oz? Link has actually worked with Victor and they kill the gang leaders. Victor has worked with the foot soldiers of the gangs to assassinate the leaders so they can take over.
  • Oz takes Sofia for a ride, we assume to kill her. They talk a lot. Oz says Sofia’s kind will never understand. Oz has Sofia turnaround for the shot. He actually deserts her. The police arrive to arrest her for the bombing of the tunnels and the Maroni family.
  • Back at the hospital, Oz’s mom has had a serious stroke and is in a vegetative state. Vic and Oz go sit by the water and have a heart to heart talk. They both miss their families. Victor thanks Oz for taking a chance on him. Oz strangles Vic.
  • Sofia is back at Arkham Mental Hospital. Doc Julian is back to waiting on her. He brings Julia a letter from her half sister Selina Kyle. She’s the bat girl, girl from The Batman movie who went opposite ways from Batman at the end of that film.
  • Oz lives in the penthouse. He has his mom’s hospital bed all set up in front of the window looking at the city. Music plays. Oz goes to the next room where it appears Eve–his lover from before who was also a Madam–and she seems to be dressed as Oz’s mom and pretending to be her. Oz tells her to tell him she is proud of him. She tells him that Gotham is his.
  • Cut to shot of Gotham. There’s the bat signal.

Discussion questions:

  • You said you wanted to see Oz at his full powers. To what degree has he progressed toward that?
  • This was supposed to be a mini series. Is this is it, are you satisfied?
  • Where would we go from here?
  • Want to talk character growth, track the season for them? Click here for list of characters.

Thanks for listening to the Torg Stories Podcast!