Cloak and Dagger Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Funhouse Mirrors
Justin Carreiro
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Going undercover is a dangerous game. (Just ask any former cop who did it!) If you're ever found out, there's a chance you may not live to tell the tale.
That's what almost happened on Cloak and Dagger Season 1 Episode 6.
Both Tandy and Tyrone went deeper into their investigations to find out the truth by going undercover. While one potentially made a new friend with their lies, the other nearly lost their life. But, even with the new development, was another week of watching split storylines worth it in the end?
Tyrone's story continued his relationship-building with Duane, his late brother's former friend.
We learned previously that Duane became a drug dealer working with Connors. Dealing drugs was bad enough, but the development that he knew Billy's murderer sealed the fact that Duane was just as culpable. The business owner was on the same low level as Connors.
Luckily, the cliffhanger from Tyrone's last cloak teleportation revealed this juicy twist, so the next optimal direction would be to find out whatever Duane knew about the cop. However, right from the getgo, this plot presented challenges that only raised more confusion and suspicion for him.
Firstly, Duane and Tyrone had not been in contact after all these years. Not at all. They only rediscovered each other because the cloak power teleported him to the factory.
So, their connection toward each other started at an "acquaintance" level at most.
Secondly, Duane knew full well the type of person Tyrone was in his real life. Going from promising college-level basketball star to drug runner in the span of a day was too much of a big switch, even for this storyline. We had to hope Duane would suspend some disbelief.
Duane could see right through Tyrone's earnest push. And even if he bought the story he was being fed; he wasn't going to let Tyrone do it anyway. Seriously, why would Tyrone all of a sudden want to become a hired runner just because he lost a basketball game?
A lack of believable structure held back the potential that Tyrone's storyline could've had in "Funhouse Mirrors."
After watching Tandy's storyline, it seems like he was given this undercover plot to mimic the tone that Tandy had in her scene. And that's not a reason to have one of the two main leads be involved in a plot. More attention needs to be paid in shaping both Tyrone's andTandy's stories together.
Simple matching tones and creating a scene because one character needed something hurts the episode as a whole.
Did you smile whenever Tyrone went to the church to meet up with Tandy?
They've only known each other for a little bit now, but he went to seek her guidance and support after two critical moments during the mission. Their "friendship" reached a new level of unspoken territory. Regardless of the chaos in their lives, a connection pulls them together, and they feel safe reunited.
Him asking for help about the undercover mission suited the state of their friendship. Tyrone tends to ground Tandy with affirmations of hope while Tandy likes to push Tyrone to explore his dark side to get what he wants.
Deep down he wanted to use his powers to manipulate Duane into giving him the information. A little push by a rebellious dagger-wielding con artist was all he needed.
And, because of that push, we were treated to a visually captivating scene of the fears from one of the drug runners.
Tyrone: You’re gonna do your hope thing on her?
Tandy: Use what you got, right? You can too.
Tyrone: I can what?
Tandy: Use people’s nightmares against them. Maybe you can get some leverage on this kid with the gun? Steal his job.
Tyrone: I guess we’re both out for different lives.
Tandy: The further adventures of the scientist and the criminal. [Mouth pop]
After the latest fear vision, a common motif came up about the design.
In the nightmare world, the scenes tend to be dark with an abundance of shadows. Obviously, that makes sense since Tyrone's powers are drawn from darkness and fear. Though, the settings have most been kept the same.
In each instance, the victim had been in a forest location that blended with elements from real life. The same treatment happened here with the teen experiencing the white flashes of the monster in the forest yet again. While Tandy's hope touch spread to more office/home locations, Tyrone's fear touch has kept consistent.
Could there be a reason why this location has been used for all? (Besides budget concerns, of course.)
Brigid's storyline ties more closely to Tyrone's journey at this point. (Liam basically dissolved into the ether that is his jail cell so that we can forget about him for now.)
The complicated detective might have the most intricate plot on Cloak and Dagger.
Trouble is heading her way. We know it, Connors wants it, and even she knows that Connors doesn't fully trust her. Plus, if someone's casual hook-up takes an invested interest in protecting their well-being, you know it's that bad of a situation.
Related: Cloak and Dagger Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Stained Glass
Just like how Fuchs put it, Brigid played with fire. First, she burned bridges by hunting down the path of the club drug girls. And then, to top it all off, she showed (not told) Connors the status of her investigation.
WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?!
Of course, Connors would retaliate to silence her. He couldn't risk someone getting close to the answer and discovering the truth; she misplayed her hand and got too confident.
Fuchs: Not asking questions has been my thing because you’ve made it clear that you don’t want them asked.
Brigid: And I like that about you.
Fuchs: Be prepared to like me less.
[Awkward silence]
Fuchs: People in this city turn a blind eye and deaf ear to things out of convenience. And the people in this station house are people too, but you are forcing them to pay attention,
Brigid: Well, that’s kinda the point.
Fuchs: I know you know whose attention you’re coming after.
Brigid: And what? You reckon that it won’t work?
Fuchs: No, I’m concerned that it might. Connors is flammable. Don’t play with fire.
Who do you think Connors wanted dead from the surprise attack at the factory: Brigid or Duane?
Ultimately Duane died in the attack, but Connors had set up gunfire regardless. From the looks of it, I want to say Duane was the target since Brigid walked into the situation with an easier shot. If Brigid had died instead, Connors would be happy either way.
The result of Duane's death possibly was to end the line of information. Now, Brigid won't be able to investigate on her own anymore since the next contact is dead.
Enter Tandy and Tyrone to help her keep things going.
Mina might be one of my favorite characters on Cloak and Dagger. She's complex, passionate about the environment, and she saw through Tandy's lies. Plus, she can speak French!
The environmental scientist didn't bend to anyone's will or lies. She fought for what was right.
In the short time we saw Mina, she opened up a lot to Tandy about her past struggles and work. For a new character, she received well-rounded development to make her into a fully-fledged person with depth and opinions. This treatment needs to happen more often!
We need to see more of her and explore her friendship with Tandy.
Plus, we need more location shots of Mina's home! The abandoned amusement looked equally creepy and captivating.
Mina and Tandy's scenes presented a compelling case of what could've been.
While Tandy's life fell apart after Roxxon Corp made her father the scapegoat, Mina's life flourished with school, money, and the ability to devote her life to saving the world. Mina stood as the representation of positivity and hope. Tandy's life would be completely different had it not been for Roxxon.
The underlining thought might be one of the reasons why Tandy felt so connected to Mina. Every opportunity nearly pulled them closer together. She also refused to use her hope touch because of it since she did like Mina.
Related: Cloak and Dagger Series Premiere: Everything You Need To Know
Mina may be upset at Tandy for lying about the truth, but she doesn't seem like the type of person to hold a grudge long.
Their scene in the hospital with Ivan Hess extinguished any looming tension between them. Even though Mina's father isn't dead, he's in a catatonic state from which he won't ever be freed. Both characters lost them father in the same accident; that moment will bind them forever.
Evita: So, we’re doing a reading?
[Shuffles cards]
Clarisse: How go things with that boy of yours?
Evita: He’s not mine.
Clarisse: He’s yours enough.
Evita: Is this your way of having the talk? Because you’re kinda predicting the past.
[She spits water from a bottle]
Clarisse: This reading aint for you. It’s for this city of ours.
Evita: What’s wrong with the city?
Clarisse: S*** goes down from time to time.
[They cleanse with water]
Clarisse: I aint smelling sex on you, but a connection to a power. A power I felt in that boy.
Evita: What does Tyrone have to do with anything?
Clarisse: I don’t know yet, that’s what the reading is for.
Similar to Cloak and Dagger Season 1 Episode 4 and Cloak and Dagger Season 1 Episode 5, we were treated to another scene that was broken up and spread throughout the hour.
Evita met up with her aunt Clarisse for a special reading about New Orleans. In addition to that, Clarisse also got some valuable time in to shade the hell out of her niece. The tea was bitter with the sharp quips thrown Evita's way.
I welcomed the return of this format since it built up the tension for a looming revelation in regards to the plot. The creation of the 3D doll didn't have the same impact, but the divine pairing death twist made up for that.
Clarisse: I’ve been turning these cards over ever since my Nana taught me all those times ago. And these two positions always scared me the most. And this time is no different. I was hoping this cycle would break pattern for your boy, but it’s the same as it was for the others.
[She blows out a candle]
Evita: What is it, Aunty?
Clarisse: One will live. And one will die.
Could Clarisse's premonition come to pass?
Just like the histories of the dolls on her shelf, the plot seems like it could repeat itself. Someone might die to fulfill the prophecy. However, there's no way we'll lose Tandy and Tyrone permanently since they're the co-leads.
Evita, while skeptical at first, seems like the type of character who will heed her aunt's warning. She may try to warn Tyrone to protect his life, but the danger to New Orleans, on the other hand, peeked the most interest.
What danger could be heading to the city? Another rig explosion, perhaps?
What did you think of "Funhouse Mirrors"? Will Brigid realize that Connors was planning to kill her? Is Mina going to help Tandy in her quest? What could be hiding behind the door in Ivan's dream?
If you missed the latest episodes, you can watch Cloak and Dagger online via TV Fanatic. Come back here and share your thoughts in the comments.
Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.
