'Money Heist' Season 4 Episode 3 Review: Can the Professor stop Alicia Sierra from winning this round?
Spoilers for 'Money Heist' Season 4 Episode 3 'Anatomy Lesson'
“When it comes to love, there is always a ticking clock. Loving someone isn't enough, it all comes down to timing,” Tokyo's narration is a hard-hitting reality check on the episode's tumultuous twists and turns.
Majorly, the episode uncloaks the Professor's (Álvaro Morte) attempts to pass along his message to the person inside the tent. Raquel Murillo (Itziar Ituño) and Alicia Sierra's (Najwa Nimri) interrogation goes on a new tangent. What's more, Denver's (Jaime Lorente) jealousy toward Monica (Esther Acebo) and Rio's (Miguel Herrán) friendship heightens. Cool as a cucumber, Tokyo (Úrsula Corberó) watches Denver's relationship fizzle out but there's something going on in her mind.
Disguised as a heist, the crime-drama soon becomes a tale of love, betrayal, and loss and it's interesting to watch how the Professor's plan stumbles.
Will the Professor's love for Raquel spell doom?
The episode begins with Tokyo's advice: “Don't fall in love in a heist. It only brings bad luck.” Only if the team had taken this restriction seriously. The Professor saves the cop, Antonanzo's life and tells him to tell Raquel that the Professor knows she is alive.
What's worrisome is that the Professor seems to have lost track of his plan. In Tokyo's words, "The Professor arrived at the storm reservoir thinking of Raquel. Just like Alberto did when he stepped into the ambulance. It's fascinating how two different people can think about someone at the same time... in very different ways. They say that love can move worlds, but the truth is, hate can be just as strong." When Tokyo asks what's his plan, he says he is so tired he can't think and tells her to seek help from Palermo (Rodrigo de la Serna).
Will Alicia Sierra bring Raquel to her breaking point?
Back at the tent, Raquel gets emotional and stresses over how to save her own life for her child's sake. Alicia makes perfect use of the opportunity and emotionally manipulates her saying how the custody of her daughter will go to her ex-husband Alberto (Miquel García Borda). But, Raquel cannot be easily broken. She gives it back to Alicia and calls the baby in her womb a "poor little child."
"The thought of Paula being with that bastard Alberto doesn't thrill me either," Alicia begins and Raquel starts to break... and sob. That's when Alicia strikes a deal. "Should I offer you five years in prison? I will trade it for five minutes. I'm offering you freedom. Sergio goes to jail but you go free. Your arrest was never official. In 24 hours, you will be together. We'll never come after you, everything will be over." Just as she is about to give in, the Professor's mole Antoñanzas (Antonio Romero) gives her a cue. So, now will Raquel choose freedom or love?
Denver + Tokyo / Rio + Monica: Where are they headed?
Denver's violent nature destroys things with his love interest, Monica. However, Monica's growing closeness with Rio irks him as Tokyo tries to hit on him again. While Monica helps Rio with his struggle after the trauma, Tokyo and Denver mock their conversation. The scene is a satirical presentation on how Rio and Monica are similar. Meanwhile, Tokyo and Denver are similar in their own ways... they're both evil, wicked and self-centered.
Monica helps Rio calm down. As they hug each other, both Denver and Tokyo are uncomfortable. But, they leave the scene and hide their feelings with a pinch of sarcasm.
Will Palermo destroy the masterplan?
Palermo asks for water and Rio gives him a sip. Palermo tries to talk to Rio and emotionally manipulate him. He knows, "That's the weakest link." In a set of flashbacks, we see the Professor worried about Palermo's loyalty and labels him as an "egomaniac."
Berlin (Pedro Alonso), however, reassures the Professor that he is wrong about trusting him and not Palermo. "I am much less reliable," he says. Even in the flashbacks, Berlin is savage as hell. Later, Palermo confronts the Professor about how his concerns for his "controlling" behavior. With equal amounts of sass and shrewdness, he says, "Not only do I love your brother, but I also love your plan. I would never betray the plan, that's where my loyalty lies." With those words of confidence, Palermo shakes hands with the Professor.
In simple words, Palermo is loyal to the plan. For the heist to continue, he has to be in charge again. Towards the end of the episode, Palermo frees Gandia even as Rio pulls the trigger on him but miserably shakes and shivers while he gets away.
Palermo may have brought on the turning point of the episode and maybe the whole game. We expected Tokyo to be unpredictable and brash but Palermo just takes the cake. He reminds you of Berlin's demeanor at times, but yes, Berlin, hostile character though he may be, is irreplaceable. The directors have pulled a masterstroke with including him in the show through flashbacks. You do long for the excitement of Season 1 at times and even though the show tries hard to tighten the pace, the excitement of the chase is somehow missing. But the redeeming aspect is that the show's flashbacks at opportune moments reel the viewer back into the suspense.
Just like every episode, 'Money Heist' keeps the suspense game strong in this one too and only time will tell who is in the Professor's team and who will go against him.