I reviewed Big Mistakes Episode 1.1, with Dan Levy as closeted gay minister Nicky, and gave it a B. Coming from an evangelical background, the idea of joining a homophobic church -- as a minister -- just didn't ring true, and Nicky was rather disagreeable. To say nothing of his crazy sister.
Scene 1: As they are making breakfast, Sister Morgan breaks the news that Yusuf, Kingpin Ivan's right-hand man, has vanished. He left the keys to the truck and the barn where they stash stuff, so it sounds like he's quitting. She notes that he was upset over his girlfriend back in Istanbul, so maybe he left to visit her.
"But we're in the middle of a major drug deal" Kingpin Ivan screams. "Andrei, go find him!" Andrei appears in his undershirt, as if he's just awakened. He must be Ivan's boyfriend.
As Andrei leaves, Kingpin Ivan tells the siblings that they'll have to go to Miami in Yusuf's place, to meet the Brazilian drug cartel about distributing cocaine locally. Nicky tries to refuse, but you don't refuse Kingpins.
Well, maybe you do. They walk out. Kingpin Ivan pulls a gun, but can't bring himself to shoot them -- he thinks of them as his good friends.
In the car, Nicky yells at Sister Morgan for ruining everything, and tells her to stay away from him from now on.
Scene 2: Nicky awakens in bed next to Boyfriend Tareq (Jacob Gutierrez). Why is there a painting of a Catholic angel in a Protestant minister's bedroom?
When Tareq heads out to the kitchen, Parishioner Rose is there for some reason. She screams about an "intruder!" I guess you've been outed, buddy."
Meanwhile, Sister Morgan listens to a podcast about positive affirmations. Suddenly she hears gunfire, and drops to the floor. It's just her boyfriend playing a video game! She reflects on how much she hates him.
Scene 3: The siblings' Mom and her assistant are working on her mayoral campaign, Nicky drops by to come out. "I met someone. Rose caught us this morning, so I'm leaving the church. Also, I'm going be his date for a gala today, so I'll be late to your fundraising barbecue."
Hey, he was already out to Mom. That's cheating!
She wants to know who the boyfriend is, and upon hearing his name, bursts into laughter. "Tareq? My Tareq? You have got to be kidding me." I don't know what that means.
She tells Nicky that Tareq wil get the family discount at the store, then dismisses him to work on her campagn.
Scene 4: Some drug dudes are playing poker, when Kingpin Ivan and Andrei bring in some money. They try to dismiss him, but he asks for permission to close the store for a few days, to drive Andrei to Florida to visit his mother. Actually, they need to finish the drug deal that Assistant Yusuf started.
"Are you boyfriends?" I was thinking the same thing.
"No, we're cousins." Darn.,
"Our boss won't like it if you take off for a vacation in the middle of drug season." I thought the Kingpin was in charge of the drug-trafficking organization, but he appears to be third in the hierarchy (the head of the operation will come as a big reveal in the las episode).
Scene 5: Sister Morgan and her Boyfriend (Jack Innanen, butt left) appear at a baby shower, and complain about everything being pink. Rather gender-polarized. They play a game called Dirty Diapers, which is as disgusting as it sounds. Next they discuss potty training, with pictures.
All the discussion of babies and poop upsets Morgan, so she insists that they leave. Um...you didn't expect to hear about babies at a baby shower?
More after the break