In Clarice season 1, episode 8, “Add-a-Bead,” Clarice (Rebecca Breeds) moves farther away from the familiar serial killer theme, à la The Silence of the Lambs, to something that is still evil. But, at the same time, it evokes some very familiar visuals that smack of the TV series Hannibal. It adds layers to the episode, and while I don’t want a Hannibal clone (this show will never be that, anyway), it is a nice companion this week to an already solid episode.
Without a doubt, Rebecca Breed has taken the role of Clarice and made it her own, and more often than not, is carrying this show on her back. The opening scene with a new therapist is a great example. It is full of atmosphere and tension while dancing all around the topic of he-who-shall-not-be-named, and Breed is great. Strong yet vulnerable, tough yet damaged, she controls the scene and makes it her own. It’s amazing Clarice has even made it this far but as the session shows us, she is balancing on a slippery slope and needs to address that, and soon.
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The VICAP unit investigates a suicide of a medical student that, as the investigation wears on, ties into the disturbing conspiracy plot that has been running through this show since it began. The FBI procedural part of the show has been sometimes dry and reeking of “been there, done that,” but this week it blends nicely into other story lines for a fast-paced and fun episode.
Krendler (Michael Cudlitz) has some solid moments, where big decisions need to be made on just how he wants to go forward in both his personal and professional life. The work part of his plot is great, as we see just by his facial expressions just how torn and conflicted he is. However, the scene in the car with his son is more annoying than anything, very cliche, feeling more like they are trying to force some tension into a place where they don’t really need to go.
Agent Ardelia Mapp (Devyn A. Tyler) is high on cracking a case, but is quickly brought crashing down to earth when she realizes she is still very low on the totem pole. She is basically told to stay in her yard until she’s called. It’s no wonder she makes the decision she does because at this point, what does she have to lose? Her character has promise, though, and I hope she gets more camera time going forward.
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I need to mention Agent Murray Clarke (Nick Sandow) who has this “get off my lawn” kind of approach to the younger agent, yet is experienced enough to realize when something is going off the rails and when someone is right. Even when others want to bury said person’s input/ideas for a multitude of reasons.
“Add-a-Bead” takes many different story lines and combines them into a nice, tight narrative, evoking some wonderful atmosphere via excellent camera work and efforts by the actors, especially Rebecca Breed as Clarice. As we dig deeper into Clarice’s trauma, we also see the VICAP unit coming together, which is a nice way to build up the final run to the end of the season.
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