'Next' Episode 6 Review: Familial tensions and death threats keep Paul and Shea busy
Spoilers for 'Next' Episode 6 'File #6'
When you have a terrifying AI hot on your heels, no place is foolproof, no bunker safe enough to shield you from it. For Paul LeBlanc (John Slattery) and Agent Shea Salazar (Fernanda Andrade) on Fox's sci-fi thriller show 'Next', this omnipresent guillotine over their heads also comes with a heady dose of family drama. Episode 6 saw the duo split and slip into their own domestic tensions. Paul, away from the FBI and hiding away in an old company headquarters, connects with his daughter Abby (Elizabeth Cappuccino) even though he has to pay a big price for it by the end of it. Shea, on the other hand, has more urgent familial matters to take care of, especially to do with her father Nacio Flores (David Zayas).
Much of the focus of the episode was on Paul and Shea as they dived into their pasts and confronted what lies in front of them. For Paul, it is the deterioration of a mind and the heartbreaking reality that his daughter also will have the same disease. When Abby and her father do sit down to talk, little is discussed about their relationship. On the other hand, Shea's husband Ty Salazar (Gerardo Celasco) gives her an ultimatum about theirs. He is upset that he didn't know the entire truth about Shea's past and her father, adding that they would have easily avoided this situation had he known about Nacio. Shea refutes by saying that she didn't see the need to dig up the past and relive all the (emotional and physical) pain he caused her. This difference immediately leads to Ty calling the shots and making decisions about their son Ethan's (Evan Whitten) safety.
In between these storylines are littered short appearances by CM (Michael Mosley) and Gina (Eve Harlow), who escape the hospital and learn more about each other. If 'Next' were not a one-off, this new friendship sure had some chemistry.
'Next' makes for a decent thriller despite the poor impression of the added drama. Paul's hallucinations were a nice touch to the episode displaying his personality and his innermost fears. That, quite frankly, was the highlight of the episode as it was also well done. From seeing three rude versions of himself calling him out to seeing his brother Ted (Jason Butler Harner) and a younger version of his daughter Abby. Each of these hallucinations is meant to give more insight into this complicated genius of a man. It might be clichéd but totally works in the favour of the show. Plus there is also a fair hit of intrigue in Ted's character and his backstory. But two highpoints don't take away from at least 45 minutes worth of boredom.
'Next' airs on Tuesdays at 9-10 pm ET/PT on FOX.