‘The Bridge’ season 2, episode 5 review: What makes Marco the better man?

Tonight’s episode of “The Bridge” was, to put it in a single word, depressing. As a matter of it, it may be the most depressing episode of the entire series … which is saying a whole lot given that there’s been some pretty dark stuff that has unfolded here, including Gus drowning to death.

The single question that we find ourselves wondering right now is why we have been led to believe that Marco is capable of being better. This is a man who we wanted to sympathize with so dearly, and now, we can barely watch him at all. His torture scenes with David Tate, the man responsible for Gus’ death and others, were not justice. How much better of a man is he now? To us, his real punishment is already before him: Spending the rest of his life locked up, where he will no longer experience the joys of freedom. Tormenting him still seems ultimately like it will lead to a faster death.

There was at least a certain sense of clarity with the story this week, given that Charlotte and Ray are getting further roped into the Fausto Galvan operation (as are our intrepid journalists), and the hunt for Eleanor is intensifying. It was actually a quiet week for our strangest new addition to the show, given that almost all of her scenes tonight were with a feline friend.

Sonya mourned the death of her sister’s killer and the juxtaposition between how she viewed this and how Marco viewed Tate were telling. Both were extremes when it comes to processing grief and rage. One was external, and one was ironically internal given that Sonya is a woman know for speaking her mind. Where these stories lead us in the big picture is still unclear, and the fact that we feel so bummed out after watching this hour doesn’t help. You need to mix sadness with at least some clarity, and while we’re starting to get there with season 2, we’re still not there yet. We can recognize that so much here is being done right, from the acting to the writing to the setting. There are just little weaknesses that continue to hold this season back Grade: B-.

What was your take on “The Bridge” tonight? Share below.