Simply once we thought Charlie Cale and her 1969 Barracuda have been lastly parked and having fun with some peace in New York Metropolis, the reluctant BS detector will get pulled into one other thriller. The Massive Pump, the tenth episode of season 2 of Poker Face, streaming on Peacock, finds Natasha Lyonne’s character tousled with Frank “Brick” Bricatino, a health club proprietor who’s operating an unsavory aspect hustle. Performed by Cliff “Methodology Man” Smith, Brick has secrets and techniques that maintain piling up till they go horribly unsuitable.
The earlier episode dropped Charlie into an apartment-sitting gig within the metropolis and a homicide within the constructing. Episode 10 picks up along with her making an attempt to settle in, and although she’s normally a lone wolf, she makes a pal within the sort girl who provided her a free espresso, and the pair join a membership at Brick’s health club — after which issues get sketchy.
Methodology Man, Jason Ritter, Natasha Leggero and Patti Harrison star within the newest installment that facilities on the homicide of Rodney, a well being inspector and member at The Brick Home health club. When Rodney (Ritter) uncovers Brick’s illicit scheme of slinging breast milk to meatheads, he confronts him and that results in a battle and Rodney’s unlucky, regrettable homicide. I say regrettable, as a result of Brick is upset about the way it occurs, panics after which covers it up. He is additionally a little bit of a crybaby.
CNET had an opportunity to talk with Methodology Man concerning the episode forward of its premiere, and we mentioned this distinctive darkish comedy function, his respect for Lyonne and Brick being a beta. As an added bonus, we’re additionally sharing an unique clip from the episode.
Poker Face function was an journey
Exterior of his music profession as a solo artist and member of Wu-Tang Clan, Methodology Man has collected loads of credit as a TV and movie actor, together with elements in exhibits reminiscent of Energy Guide II: Ghost, The Wire and The Deuce. He is carried out comedy, drama, thrillers and voice-overs for animation, but his Poker Face expertise was not like his previous roles.
Was there something that struck him about Brick’s character? “Simply that he thinks he is an alpha when he is truly a beta,” mentioned Methodology Man. “Ego is a strong drug. However all in all, I assumed this was totally different from anybody I’ve ever performed earlier than.”
He praised his co-stars, describing Leggero as “magnificent,” Ritter as “dope to work with,” and the expertise as complete: “It was an journey.”
His method to taking part in Brick concerned viewing the character as somebody who’s obsessed with operating his enterprise, regardless that he is not a terrific entrepreneur. “The very last thing on his thoughts is the health half, regardless that that is his life. He is superb at that, however he is not so good at life, interval,” the actor defined.
Meet Brick and Natasha Leggero as Lily Bricatino.
Methodology Man’s favourite scene might be yours, too
Towards the tip of The Massive Pump, Charlie questions Brick about Rodney after which sneaks off to the sauna to piece proof collectively. Brick figures that out and, scrambling, he locks her within the sauna to bake to loss of life. He apologizes as she begs for her life, after which places headphones on to dam out her pleas — and his regret. It is the second time we see Brick really feel dangerous about killing any person, and as soon as Alex frees Charlie, he will get much more determined.
As he will get able to beat them with a dumbbell bar, Brick’s spouse Lily (Leggero) calls his identify with a scolding tone, “Francis John Bricatino! What’s the that means of this?” It is one other instance of the odd dynamic the couple has, the place Lily is parentified of their relationship. Brick is in huge bother, and he begins crying at his spouse’s ft when his murderous actions are uncovered. Him getting caught and crying was Methodology Man’s favourite scene to shoot.
“It is so not like me,” he mentioned. “It was the ultimate day of capturing. It took so much to get to that second — I assumed that it might be more durable than what it was, nevertheless it wasn’t as arduous as a result of by this time, I am so invested on this character, it felt proper.”
Brick tried to prepare dinner Charlie on this episode.
On working with Natasha Lyonne
Although he hadn’t watched Poker Face earlier than signing on for the function, Methodology Man already thought of himself a Natasha Lyonne fan and deliberate to binge the present (identical to Recreation of Thrones, he added). However she herself has spoken extremely of him, sharing that they laughed so much on set, are powerful New Yorkers who’re actually softies and joked that possibly they “were the same person.” The compliments are mutual.
Heaping accolades on Lyonne, Methodology shared that what you see is what you get, on and off display. “She is tremendous duper clever, tremendous duper diligent about her work and all people appears to fall in line when she exhibits as much as set,” he mentioned. “And he or she does know easy methods to command a set — the entire set. Love her.”
He added that the present actually would not work with out her, and described her as “uber gifted and real,” which, as Methodology Man mentioned, could be uncommon in present enterprise.
Poker Face, season 2, is at present streaming on Peacock, and solely two extra episodes stay. Take a look at the finale in July and a few of our different suggestions for the best shows on Peacock.
