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'Tokyo Vice' Episode 4 Review: Jake meets Ishida, convinces Eimi to look into the Yakuza

Titled 'I Want It That Way,' Episode 4 of 'Tokyo Vice' sees Jake meet Ishida of the Chihahara-Kai clan. The latter makes him an offer he can't refuse

DISCLAIMER: SPOILERS AHEAD

'Tokyo Vice' has been a show that promised a good pay-off right from the start. With episodes that border an hour in runtime, the HBO Max series is one of the most layered and sophisticated series that streaming service has put out in recent times. Building on what's been established over the premiere episodes, 'I Want It That Way,' the fourth episode of 'Tokyo Vice' takes off right from where the last episode ended. 

Beginning with Jake being taken to the den of the Chihahara-Kai clan, Episode 4 of 'Tokyo Vice' sees the Meicho Shimbun reporter have a conversation with Ishida, the defacto head. Ishida, aware of Jake's profession, tasks him with something, offering him his "undying gratitude" in return. The favor that he asks of Jake comes with the intention of putting an end to rumors that are seriously damaging his clan's reputation and standing. The scene that follows shows Jake and Sato, sharing a lighter moment during which they pit the Backstreet Boys against NSYNC, bringing some humor to an otherwise serious show. 

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Eventually, the episode switches to a sting operation of sorts, as Jake is able to convince Eimi to look into the mysterious organization involved in the recent deaths that he has covered or witnessed. Eimi, his superior at work, is initially hesitant due to the trouble that Jake has caused in the past, but she offers him his support as he's able to back his claims with evidence provided by Detective Katagiri. 

She poses to be a woman in dire financial straits and ends up meeting the organization, after finding out about them through another victim, and uncovers the process that led to the borrowers taking their own lives. We also get to see Samantha face challenges as she tries to open a club of her own, with Sato having to intervene due to pressure from his boss. The focus toggles back to Jake, whose bond with Sato grows stronger, as the two have a fun night out.

'I Want It That Way,' as an episode, maintains the same overall look and feel that 'Tokyo Vice' is being commended for. It is also the first episode in the series that has some sexually explicit content. Ansel Elgort continues to shine as Jake Adelstein, while Rachel Keller as Samantha brings a certain amount of mystery and a sense of looming danger. In all, Episode 4 of 'Tokyo Vice' sets the field for an explosive follow-up, now that the Yakuza are directly involved with Jake.

New episodes of 'Tokyo Vice' drop Thursdays on HBO Max