'I Know This Much Is True' Episode 4: Rosie O'Donnell's portrayal of Lisa Sheffer has fans asking for more
Spoilers for 'I Know This Much Is True' Episode 4
We didn't think it was possible that there could an episode that was even more gripping than Episode 3, but here we are. This episode completely put Dominick Birdsey (Mark Ruffalo) at the forefront, to the point where we're only shown ONE VERY powerful scene at Thomas Birdsey's (Mark Ruffalo) Hatch Forensic Institute hearing. Dominick was not able to attend the hearing that would determine if Thomas remained at Hatch or could go home, most of us were waiting for this. Instead, we see Dominick hurt himself again and experience personal hallucinations that were drowning his soul. In the midst of all this was social worker Lisa Sheffer (Rosie O'Donnell), who got more screen time in this episode and fans were impressed with O'Donnell's delivery of an important supporting character.
"You’re rocking Lisa’s character. #IKTMIT," tweeted one fan to O'Donnell.
Dominick's first interaction with Lisa was after Thomas was put in Hatch and it took time for the duo to be on the same page. In this episode, we were shown that in Dominick's absence, Thomas was led to answer a question that would sabotage his plea that he wasn't a violent human being. "Can you legally ask leading questions like that to someone with mental illness? #IKnowThisMuchIsTrue #IKTMIT #IKTMITHBO," asked a Twitter user.
Healing from his fall from a home's roof while working, Dominick is almost a vegetable in bed when Lisa visits with a script of the hearing. We get to see how she's connected with the case and both the brothers. It was a refreshing moment to see the reality of what victims of the system go through. O'Donnell played the role of an advocate for justice for people with mental illness quite excellently. "@Rosie woke up thinking about #IKTMIT I absolutely love your portrayal of Lisa Sheffer. I feel like I don’t move while watching I’m so captivated. Mark Ruffalo !!!! He’s powerful.. this is such a wonderful cast of people to tell this story.," tweeted a user.
"Sheffer: the patient's welfare needed to come before the state's desire for good publicity.' Her character development is some of the best, even though she’s a supporting character. #IKnowThisMuchIsTrue #IKTMIT #IKTMITHBO," tweeted another user.
While the verdict was that Thomas spends a year in Hatch, Lisa tells Dominick, "You're the one I'm going to worry about now, not Thomas." She had done her best to help Thomas out, but along with the severity of his illness increasing and the corrupt internal groups at institutions, Thomas's fate was sealed, but now, Dominick could rest. Lisa, although rough around the edges, and very direct, has a vulnerable side that we were shown in today's episodes. She doesn't just advocate for Thomas (even after he punched her) but is there for Dominick as well. "@Rosie Wow, no way you’re not going to be hitting the red carpet for your brilliant performance of Lisa Sheffer! #IKnowThisMuchIsTrue #MondayMotivaton," tweeted a user.
"Lisa Sheffer on #IKnowThisMuchIsTrue on @hbo tonight! Rosie is brilliant at playing that role. Cannot wait to see more of her in that show’s upcoming episodes. #iktmit #hbo #rosieodonnell," tweeted another user.
“Lisa Sheffer is the human face of a governmental bureaucracy… she got into her job for all the right reasons," tweetedthe official HBO account as Director Derek Cianfrance took viewers behind the shot of a scene from #IKnowThisMuchIsTrue featuring Sheffer.
'I Know This Much Is True' airs on Sundays at 9 pm EST on HBO.