'The Old Man' Episode 5 Review: Intense chapter sees Chase and Harper's chess game
'The Old Man' continued its slow-burn, brilliant run on FX with Episode 5 continuing the cat-and-mouse game between Dan Chase (Jeff Bridges) and Harold Harper (John Lithgow). It's a game of chess really, as the two, pretty much the faces of a coin move the characters around them efficiently even if they don't always like it. The FX drama sticks to its template of toggling between Chase's past and its ramifications in the present. With two episodes to go before the series wraps up and heads into Season 2, the fifth chapter starts piecing the storyline together.
With Harper knowing Emily's secret, the duo gets to have a conversation that ends up with Chase's daughter striking a deal. And while it feels like she got what he wanted, there's no ruling out the possibility that the CIA spook is actually still holding the aces. On the other hand, Zoe's (Amy Brenneman) complicated relationship with Chase sees her embark on a mission to Morocco with the plan to save Emily (Alia Shawkat). The woman has shown to be steely and resolute giving Chase the faith that she's got his back.
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There's no point getting into the whole Stockholm Syndrome business as the storyline shows it's moved past the cliched theme. Zoe goes from a lamenting divorcee to being embroiled in an investigation she had nothing to do with. Whether it's Chase's influence or not, she now wades into unknown waters and that will have its effect over the next two episodes. Shawkat's complex relationship with Chase as his daughter, but an equally soft-centered bond she shared with her mentor in Harper is on full display in the episode. The mic drop moment comes when it is revealed that both Chase and Harper are up against an enemy they don't know coming, and it's someone from their own backyard.
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'The Old Man' is still impressive and gripping. While there have been those odd grumbles of the show slowing down, it did what Showtime's blockbuster 'Homeland' does. Build a steady narrative and then have that explosive sequence that changes the dynamic of the show. It's been a good run so far and the thriller has justified the need for a Season 2.
'The Old Man' airs Thursday nights at 10 pm ET on FX.
