666 Park Avenue Review: What's In the Suitcase?

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So, when are we going back to the island?

This is Lost, right? That was the black smoke monster taking up residence inside a dusty old suitcase and Terry O'Quinn's character was balancing the line of good and evil, so it only makes sense. That, or maybe Smokey (because let's be honest, we're never gonna know that guy's real name) always works with O'Quinn, much like Johnny Depp always works with Tim Burton.

I guess it's only a matter of time before we discover a hatch and polar bears start running amok inside the Drake.

Henry Learns About Gavin

And I know that Lost doesn't have a monopoly on intelligent black smoke, but it is an interesting choice for the show that you can't help but draw comparisons.

You could say 666 Park Avenue is similar to Lost, but more so in the fact that there's a deep mystery and mythology rooted behind the location and even the characters (although I hope that we do get to learn what plenty of it means.)

But, really, the series is something else entirely and the level of creepiness combined with that air of seduction provides for an entertainment factor that just draws you in.

"Hero Complex" certainly did and you can't help but watch the show and think, "but why?," "what does that mean?," or "what's that answer to that secret?"

I'm not quite sure if the show has established itself a plot beyond the fact that the Drake and in essence Gavin Doran are eerily enigmatic, while the characters who find themselves at the apartment complex have dreams and desires waiting to be fulfilled.

What is the larger purpose? Why these characters?

These questions also lend themselves to the mystique of 666 Park Avenue and are a part of the whole reason people watch, aside from the scary appeal and good looking actors.

But the hour seemed to dig itself into that supernatural aspect and play with the idea of the importance involving Henry and Jane.

While O'Quinn does a fantastic job playing Gavin with menace one moment and sincere friendliness the next, Dave Annable stole the spotlight.

The actor who plays Henry, for the most part, has been relegated to charming smiles and all around good guy actions. He's there for Jane, he's pals with Gavin, he's helpful to Brian.

So, it was great to see Henry shift away from the happy go lucky dude and reveal that serious side. He had impressive scenes acting confident with Gavin, nervous and questioning when downloading the files, and surprised by taking action when Kandinsky arrived.

There's clearly a lot more going on to Henry. It has allow Annable to shine. And it makes me more invested in his character knowing that he questioned the whole situation even if he was essentially manipulated into trusting Gavin. I'm more on board following Henry.

But just what does Gavin want?

I'm a little surprised that Kandinsky and the obituary writer Anne made it to this episode, as I thought their arc was done last time. Was it needed for this one? I guess it served out Gavin's purpose and illustrated his devious ways while illuminating further Nona's flashes.

Which really begs the question about what is up with Nona's grandmother? Is that something Gavin did?

It will definitely be interesting in seeing how the show manages to combine all the different aspects and puzzles, including the noticeably absent Brian, Louise and Alexis. There's something of a master plan at work, but I've got no idea what it all is. Yet it's clear that the characters are becoming more wrapped up and sucked in by Gavin and his building.

But can someone please give Jane some scary movies to watch? It's like she keeps doing all of those things you're not supposed to do. Throw away the suitcase!

Truthfully, it doesn't matter now, because smokey turned into the new creep fest, and it looks like things are about to get even more hectic for the unsuspecting residents of 666 Park Avenue.

Hero Complex Review

Editor Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.3 / 5.0 (48 Votes)

Sean McKenna was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. He retired in May of 2017. Follow him on Twitter.

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666 Park Avenue Season 1 Episode 4 Quotes

Everybody in New York is in therapy, right?

Jane

This sounds like the beginning of a break-up speech.

Gsvin