'Sugar' Episode 6: Apple TV+'s absolutely mind-blowing twist is a wild plot we didn't know we needed
Contains spoilers for 'Sugar'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: After much anticipation, 'Sugar' has revealed the truth about its main character in Episode 6 titled, 'Go Home.' The Apple TV+ show has been dropping hints about private investigator John Sugar's (Colin Farrell) mysterious past for weeks.
As he delves into the secrets of a prominent Hollywood family in search of one of their own, Sugar's sense of disconnection from society becomes clearer. In this episode, viewers finally learn the reason behind his outsider status.
While 'Sugar' started as a typical crime drama following a detective's investigations, it always hinted at a deeper story. Early reviews even suggested it was a genre-bending series that would change course midway through.
Throughout the first four episodes, 'Sugar' dropped clues about John Sugar's real identity. 'Sugar' Episode 5 featured a tantalizing moment where the titular character hinted at sharing something with Melanie, only to backtrack and leave both Melanie and the audience in suspense.
However, in episode 6, the truth about John Sugar is finally disclosed, leaving viewers curious about how this twist will shape the show's remaining two episodes.
'Sugar' reveals its protagonist is not human, but an alien
In 'Go Home,' Sugar has a rough day. He confronts Byron Stallings (Eric Lange) at his hideout regarding Olivia Siegel's (Sydney Chandler) disappearance, leading to a chaotic brawl between Sugar and Stallings' crew.
Despite warning Stallings against violence, Sugar finds himself outnumbered. When someone fires a gun at him, Sugar miraculously deflects the bullet, shocking viewers. In the ensuing scuffle, Sugar fulfills his promise to kill everyone present.
After sustaining injuries, Sugar calls Melanie (Amy Ryan) and rendezvous with her at a motel. He directs her to contact his friend Henry (Jason Butler Harner), a doctor. Henry treats Sugar's wounds, revealing a peculiar blood bag with an unfamiliar symbol and dark liquid.
The audience begins to suspect Sugar's extraterrestrial origins, which are confirmed when he confronts Ruby (Kirby) at her home. During their confrontation, Ruby evades Sugar's inquiries, leaving him drained. When she momentarily leaves to fetch aspirin, Sugar discovers a peculiar drawer and abruptly departs.
Later, at the motel, while Melanie sleeps, Sugar injects himself with a special needle, triggering a startling transformation. His hair falls out, his eyes glow, and his skin turns blue, revealing his true identity as an alien.
The revelation of 'Sugar' alters the show's focus and raises a lot of questions
Before the big reveal, there was a lot of speculation surrounding John Sugar's character. The series dropped several hints suggesting he wasn't as ordinary as he seemed, such as his involvement with the Cosmopolitan Polyglot Society, his remarkable empathy, and his impressive fighting abilities.
However, amidst the ongoing Olivia Siegel case, which served as the primary storyline, 'Sugar' maintained its essence as a noir series exploring themes of good and evil.
The revelation that Sugar is actually an alien disrupts the series' primary narrative and introduces a slew of new mysteries. It unveils a hidden layer of complexity previously unnoticed. For instance, in Episode 5, 'Boy in the Corner,' Stallings' involvement at the Mexican border initially seemed linked to the Siegel case.
However, his connection to Ruby, and by extension, whoever she is protecting, adds a new dimension to his role as a coyote smuggling people across the border.
The ambiguity arises—is he acting solely out of criminal intent, or does Ruby play a part in his actions? When Ruby claims her actions are for 'the greater good,' it raises questions about her true motives, especially concerning the abduction of young immigrant girls.
These questions now intertwine with the series' newfound science fiction elements, expanding its scope beyond noir. 'Sugar' was marketed as a 'genre-bending' series, and the revelation solidified its unique blend of genres.
However, creator Mark Protosevich and director Fernando Meirelles ensure that the main storyline—the Siegel case and its ties to both John Sugar's alien identity and the seedy underbelly of Hollywood—remains central.
Viewers are left eagerly anticipating how these threads will unravel in future episodes.
What were the hidden clues that foreshadowed Sugar's real identity?
Despite the surprising nature of Sugar's transformation from human to alien in episode 6, hints of it have been present since the start of the Apple TV+ show.
Even in the initial episodes, something about Sugar seems unusual because of his fascination with classic sci-fi movies and his childlike wonder at the world around him.
In the black-and-white prologue set in Japan, Sugar effortlessly catches a housefly with his chopsticks, demonstrating his superhuman reflexes. In another episode, he displays superhuman strength by effortlessly lifting a man.
From a moral perspective, John Sugar appears too generous to be human. He consistently maintains a positive outlook on the world and questions himself when his emotions cloud his judgment.
As shown in the early episodes, he also doesn't get intoxicated and needs reminders from Ruby that his role is simply to "observe and report" to a higher authority.
Despite numerous subtle hints in the first 5 episodes indicating the character's true identity, Sugar's revelation in episode 6 still manages to shock viewers.
What does Sugar's big reveal mean for the upcoming episodes?
By revealing Sugar's non-human nature, the Apple TV+ series breaks away from typical detective drama tropes. This suggests that the mystery surrounding Olivia's disappearance might unfold with a supernatural twist, potentially explaining why she evokes memories of Sugar's sister, Djen.
Speaking of Djen, her story remains unexplored despite Sugar referring to her as his sister, indicating she might also be an alien. It's probable that in the final episodes, Sugar will finally confide in Melanie about his true identity, as he nearly did in episode 4.
However, the reasons behind why aliens are working as private investigators and who they report to remain shrouded in mystery.
The show must also address how the aliens arrived on Earth and clarify their objectives. Hopefully, the last two episodes of Sugar will allocate enough time to address at least some of these pressing questions.
The revelation in 'Sugar' remains perfectly aligned with its noir premise
The noir genre mainly revolves around human characters. It typically features protagonists grappling with their inner struggles while tackling complex cases that force them to confront human nature through their interactions.
This formula is quite rigid, often leading to a sense of monotony. However, 'Sugar' injects a fresh layer into this framework that fits seamlessly within the genre's boundaries.
In noir, protagonists often feel disconnected from society, viewing it from an outsider's perspective. They usually exhibit a cynical outlook, but 'Sugar' diverges from this by presenting a protagonist who is empathetic towards the world.
Despite being an alien, John Sugar seeks to understand and emulate human behavior rather than dismiss it. While others may focus on humanity's darker aspects, Sugar emphasizes its potential for good.
However, his alien nature keeps him fundamentally apart from humanity, and working as a private investigator is his way of bridging that gap.
'Sugar' trailer
7 episodes of 'Sugar' are now streaming on AppleTV+