'On Becoming a God in Central Florida' episode 8 review: Krystal experiences Louise Garbeau's 'orifice' therapy
This article contains spoilers for Episode 8 of 'On Becoming a God in Central Florida'
Birth, trauma, rage all find their way into this episode, in the aftermath of last week's reveal that Obie Garbeau (Ted Levine) was buying the Rebel Rapids water park and Ernie's (Mel Rodriguez) traumatic pizza parlor incident which saw him quit his job.
Ernie in his earnest speech to Bets (Beth Ditto) about quitting his job for FAM talks about the drowning man that only he can save (through FAM). This thought is about the only thing that is keeping him together after the shooting at the pizza parlor that he hasn't spoken to Bets about. Bets only knows that he has been acting "kind of off" for the past week, but at the surprise dance class party that Ernie throws for her with his Latino downline in attendance, she gets to hear about the incident. Just as she receives this information, a FAM emergency comes up (in the form of a disgruntled downline) and Ernie has to dash. Even though Bets begs him to stay talk to her, Ernie, with desperation in his eyes, escapes rather than confront his trauma. The question is, how does a man who is drowning himself save another drowning man?
In a parallel track, Krystal drowns in a tub filled with bubbles or transparent balls. It is Louise Garbeau's "womb" therapy that she welcomes Krystal into by saying "Won't you come into my orifice". It is an intriguing premise -- what if your enemy offers to heal you? In a strange way, FAM does heal people. It rescues Ernie from worrying about the world by giving him a tool by which he can help people. It had rescued the late Travis from his drinking problem.
Krystal too craves the healing touch as her anxiety peaks about her future (jobless and moneyless). As she enters the "vagina tank", she has disturbing flashes of the day she gave birth to baby Destinee surrounded by FAM products and no Travis. When she emerges from the tank, her rage has come to the surface. In an "affirmation", she pours out her collected anger against FAM, her defenses gone after her time in the tank. And as she rages (in front of Louise), she also reveals that she holds FAM responsible for all the sadness in her life. Make no mistake, while Louise has a soft touch compared to Obie, she is also working her own brand of bullshit on Krystal and is no less dangerous than Obie. Louise then asks her to be part of building her "womb therapy" business. Krystal, though devoid of anger at this point, says she doesn't want to "live there", in the Garbeau compound.
The episode is also about Cody Bonar and Roger Penland's day of fun and mayhem. After trashing Mirta's place to find any FAM related documents (while she was passed out in the bathroom), Roger and Cody head to the 'Buck Bridges' rally, another multilevel marketing scheme. What Cody doesn't know is that Roger swiped his gold gun (with his name on it) at Mirta's. Roger tells Cody to fog the venue and trash the place while he secretly beats up Bridges' protege. Then, unknown to Cody, he leaves Cody's gun next to the bloodied body of the protege. Cody thinks he has found a friend in Roger, reveling in his company, not knowing that Roger is secretly plotting his downfall as he "mentors" him.
Cody realizes his gun is missing only when he gets home to Krystal. When he does, he frantically hunts for it among Mirta's dossier on FAM and recognizes Krystal's handwriting on the note on how FAM works. His face drops and then Krystal calls him to the baby's room. She is holding the baby, cleansed of her rage, and offers baby Destinee's hand (of peace?) to Cody. What happens to this odd odd couple, we will find out in next week's episode.
On Becoming a God in Central Florida' airs Sundays on Showtime at 10 pm ET.