Episode 1.2 continues the plot arc of Jesse confronting the blackmailers who have a video of his sex-and-drugs party.
Title: "Is this the man who made the Earth tremble?" From Isaiah 14.15: Everyone is amazed at the fall of the King of Babylon. Here we're looking at the fall of Eli Gemstone.
The Ladyboys of Thailand: The red van in the deserted parking lot. The head blackmailer, Scotty, wearing a scary devil mask, is talking with his companions, a woman named Lucy and an unidentified man. He dismisses the misconception that Thailand is all about ladyboys "hanging out of windows with their cocks in their panties." But: Thailand also has great food, great beaches, "and we're going to be taller than everyone else."
The ladyboys or
kathoey of Thailand have male-coded sexual characteristics but present as feminine. They were traditionally called a third gender, but with the globalization of Western LGBT identities, they are more likely today to identify as femme gay men or trans women.
Scotty's statement suggests that he is into ladyboys, but his companions are not, so he is trying to convince them that Thailand has other attractions, too.The siblings arrive and drop the bags of money in front of the van. Scotty gets out to pick it up and -- Jesse attacks! Lucy, wearing a scary baby mask, shoots at them. They jump back into their car and run over Scotty, and then Lucy, when she rushes to his aid. The third blackmailer takes off his mask: it's a young man played by Skyler Gisondo.
The Young Man yells "Scotty!" and runs up and cuddles him like a lover! They are obviously boyfriends.He helps Scotty up, and they carry Lucy to the van and drive away.
Scotty thinks that Lucy is dead, so they try to throw the corpse down a hill. But she's alive!
Did it really happen?: The next day, the siblings return to the parking lot. There is no evidence of the blackmailers. Jesse suggests that it was never real to begin with, and Judy, "a spiritual test that we had to overcome." Kelvin thinks it was real, but the others criticize him for "projecting negativity."
The next order of business: how should they divvy up the money Judy stole from the church: give it all back (Kelvin) or give half back and split the rest (Jesse). Why do these people need money? Aren't they, like, rich? Maybe Daddy controls everything, and gives them an allowance.
Suddenly Kelvin jumps out of the car. Jesse scoffs that he wants to buy a new pair of 22s, custom shoes hand-crafted by Gabe Apodaca in Italy, keying into his gay-coded fashion obsession. But he's actually noticed a security camera: they could get the van's license plate number!
Lucy has what Scotty needs: At the hospital, Scotty and the Young Man discuss what to tell Lucy about the hill She's "all fucked up," but Scotty wants to see her anyway, because she can make him cum.
He waits for the Young Man to offer a blow job instead, but he doesn't.
Psych! Scotty isn't planning on sex after all: he puts her in a wheelchair, and exclaims "We're getting out of here.!" (Butt shot: his hospital gown is open in the back) Why did Scotty tell the Young Man that he wanted sex with Lucy? Apparently to make him jealous, but of who? Lucy, Scotty, or both?
"Did you just blow a kiss at me?": Cut to Jesse discovering that his wife and kids are still in contact with the runaway Gideon. They even have good news: he just got cast in a Netflix movie; "he's doing well in LA, following his dreams." Pontius repeats "Hollywood" in a sultry voice, then blows Jesse a kiss, teasing that Gideon is gay.
Jesse wants to know how they dare to contact him when he "snipped our nuts." Why is moving to California like castrating your father?
More threats after the break