AppleTV+'s Home Before Dark - Episode 1.08 "The Future Is Female"
Hilde creates a movement to root out corruption in Erie Harbor. Matt and Bridget try to mend their relationship.
In 2019, the television industry aired 532 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of AppleTV+'s Home Before Dark.
"The Future Is Female" was written by Hillary Cunin and directed by Jim McKay
Generational pain and trauma permeate throughout Erie Harbor. Richie Fife's disappearance occurred thirty years ago. The actions taken then still inform the daily lives of the citizens of this town. How they responded to that tragedy has established a baseline of trust they have for their public officials. Frank Sr. was elected Sheriff because he arrested Sam for the crime. Richie's father was elected mayor because the town pitied him and everything his family went though afterwards. The town has stayed in stasis almost. These dynamics still inform how people are allowed to live their lives. It's a mentality that may be stuck in the past. It's an ideology that prevents anyone from coming along to challenge these long held beliefs. There are very few outsiders in this narrative. Trip certainly fits that bill. She came to this town with no preconceived notions about the proper way to act on the job. She has her own independence even though she still has to account to the officials in charge. The corruption of the police force makes her an easy scapegoat to place all the blame on when Sam's escape is investigated. Frank keeps wanting to present himself as someone capable of doing the right thing. He doesn't view himself as a corrupt individual who is operating out of a sense of self-preservation all the time. However, he continues to do whatever his father tells him to do. Frank Sr. can cover up Frank's mistakes. He does so because he sees the job of Sheriff as Frank's cherished prize. It's his destiny to replace him in this job. Sure, it's weird how the show suggests Frank Sr. is more than willing to walk away from this position. He doesn't seem like the man who would withdraw from the influence he lords over this town. It's just a power move to keep his son under his control. It works too. The system allows Frank to come off perfectly fine in this endeavor. It cements the idea that major change is needed. Hilde grabs ahold of the idea that Trip should run for Sheriff. She can build a platform around the idea of necessary change. The system can no longer operate the way it has for thirty years. That corruption has festered and only allowed this trauma to grow further. People have been unable to move on with their lives because of all the unresolved feelings about Richie Fife's disappearance. Sure, Matt offered the semblance of building something new with Bridget and their family. However, he is realizing that he has been stuck in life because he refused to address these feelings with anyone. Because they pent up for so long, they came out in disastrous ways. Ways that pushed his marriage to its breaking point. Bridget casually mentions they went to couples therapy before. That provides them with the tools to weather this storm. They have the ability to preserve their lives together. Matt still believes he has to take the wheel in the Richie Fife investigation. He sees just how dangerous it has become for Hilde. It's no longer safe for her to be doing this with no oversight. Bridget disagrees because she too sees the blatant corruption. It needs to be disrupted. Frank Sr. doesn't view Trip's campaign as a serious threat. It's just a nuisance that will be annoying for a little while but won't disrupt the inevitable. That's how he operates in life. He exists from that position of privilege. No one can topple him. And yet, Matt is getting close to the truth. He has a name for a new person of interest in Richie's case. That can shake up this world. That too can be costly. However, the narrative has to remain careful with how it expands the disruption Hilde is causing while fundamentally championing that kids are the vocal leaders the world needs right now because their future isn't as secure as the people in charge believe it to be because they had that luxury already. That is a timely and relevant discussion. One that has to remember to keep Hilde at the forefront while allowing her to make mistakes and speak out when it's justified. She is important and she does help inspire change in her community. The family itself still has some mending to do. Solving this crime won't fix all their problems. It may be a daunting task. One that some don't believe should be placed on a young girl's shoulders. However, she won't let those assumptions get in the way of her fighting for what she believes needs to occur to better protect the community she now exists within.
