We Have Met The Enemy, And He Is Us

July 4, 2003 – As the episode opens, Mercer is running frantically while screaming for help. As Mercer flags down a police cruiser, Charlie flees the scene. The police find Sam with a gunshot wound to the head on the ground.

A Few Weeks Earlier –Dr. Altschul asks Charles “Charlie” Weisbarger (Wyatt Oleff) about the girl. Charlie reverts back to the fall when his mother allowed him to drive to New York City for his therapy sessions While sifting through a box of records, he notices a female schoolmate who is now attending NYU. Samantha “Sam” (Chase Sui Wonders) snaps his photo as he turns to look. After trying to remind her of them attending Flower Hill High, he admits to still being a student there. She says her first visit to the shrink was after her parents split. He tells her about his father dying in September. Noticing his somber mood, she shows him her “zine,” a semi-autobiographical of her photography. She says her ongoing “thinly veiled” project is a documentary of FX Post Facto. He describes her work as “amazing.” She tells him that he is now her project.

Samantha and Charlie continue to meet weekly after his therapy session. He says her presence makes it impossible to be sad. While listening to music, she tells him about FX Post Facto before treating him to a record. Back to the present, he partially blames his mother for coming between them. Altschul reminds him of his staying out all night and coming home with a hangover. Charlie says it was New Year’s Eve. Altschul asks if a 6-months grounding was unreasonable. Charlie professes to love Sam but doesn’t know if she feels the same. Altschul stresses the importance of reflecting on the loss of his father. In a flashback, A distraught Charlie recalls the World Trade Center bombing and his father’s last voicemail saying he probably won’t make it home. Back to the present, he assures Altschul nothing is simple about his father’s death.

In a flashback, Charlie visits the record store where he met Sam when she calls to invite him to an FX Post Factor event. He accepts the invitation before explaining why he never answered her calls. They admit to missing each other. When the call ends, her friends yell for her to join them after setting a church on fire. They are in the van when Nicky Chaos (Max Milner) finally arrives. Sam snaps a photo of the burning Divine Cavalry Holy Church.

Regan Hamilton-Sweeney (Jemima Kirke) and Keith (Ashley Zukerman) are at Cate Hamilton-Sweeney Lamplighter’s (Evangeline Decker). Mercer Goodman (Xavier Clyde) tries to speak with Regan about her brother, William “Billy Three-Sticks” Hamilton-Sweeney (Nico Tortorella) but she rushes away.

Regan admits to being concerned about Will’s (Chaise Torlo) behavior. Bill assures her that he is a good kid. She finds an unusual envelope in the pile of mail. The note reads, “He’s lying to you.” She later asks Keith about his affair before telling him about the note. He assures her that it is partly her fault. She asks if she works with two children and an ill father.

Regan admits to Mercer that she didn’t know William was alive. He asks if she would like to speak somewhere more private. She gives him a letter for William before leaving to meet the movers.

William gifts Mercer an iMac for his birthday. He informs him of his plan to go to his studio. Mercer questions if he is really going out on his first birthday away from home. After promising to return before dinner, William recalls him not telling his parents about them. Mercer says it isn’t that simple. William asks if it is difficult for him or them. Mercer asks if he is going to open the envelope which is probably from his family. Williams describes his family as “rich.” Mercer says Regan is “nice.”

Charlie grabs a condom while preparing to leave.

Solomon “Sol” (Alexander Pineiro) takes a bag of items from Sam’s father’s house. She reminds him of his promise to only take a few items. He says her father doesn’t need it anymore since he rarely works. Sewer Girl (Alexandra Doke) asks if she is going with them. Sam tells them that she has plans. When Sewer Girl voices her concern about taking too much, Sol tells her that Sam’s father is a drunk. She says Sam is close to her father.

Regan calls Keith to ask what time he will be at her father’s house. He tells her that they don’t know about their separation. She reminds him of her father’s condition. He questions if she kept it quiet in case they could work it out. He admits to screwing up but loves her and their children. She invites him to join her in breaking the news to her father.

After getting high, William encounters Sol at the train station. Sol informs him of FX Post Facto reuniting as Ex Nihilo. He says their first gig is tonight at Don Hill’s. William describes the idea as “sh*tty.” Sol invites him to join them but he refuses.

Sam calls Keith to ask him to set up a meeting at Don Hill’s at 9pm. When he refuses, she threatens to come to him. He pleads with her to stay away from his family. She denies sending Regan the note but might know the culprit. She warns something bad might happen. He asks what could be more devastating than his marriage blowing up. She looks inside a flammable container to find it empty.

William calls Mercer to tell him that he is going to see a band play. Mercer reminds him of their plans to watch the fireworks display at Battery Park. William invites him to go see the bank with him. Mercer claims to be sick. After the call ends, he opens Regan’s Fourth of July invitation.

Charlie meets up with Sam to go to the FX Post Factor concert.

Regan asks Will to watch Cate even though Mrs. Santos (Rosie Berrido) will be their babysitter. Will suggests she not take Keith back. She tries to explain how much his father loves him and their separation has nothing to do with him.

Sam informs Charlie that her camera has gone missing. When he tries to dig further, she snaps at him. Upon arriving at Don Hill’s, she informs him of her need to take of something very important. He admits to believing she wanted to spend the evening with him. She tells him to find her near Central Park at 5^th and 73^rd if she doesn’t return before rushing away.

Felicia (Beth Malone) informs Regan of William “Bill” Hamilton-Sweeney Sr.’s  (Geoff Pierson) test results. Regan asks if he has dementia. Felicia claims his plane is grounded in Minneapolis due to a lightning storm. Felicia says she and Keith are separated.

Sewer Girl approaches Charlie while he dances alone. They move closer to the stage.

Looking over to see Sam, Keith tells the driver to keep going. Mercer emerges from the commuter bus where Sam is standing. They briefly talk before he heads across the street. Mrs. Santos is asleep when Will sneaks out. Mercer finds Regan in the kitchen trying to open a bottle of alcohol. When she cuts her hand, he wraps it up before they go out to smoke a joint.

William arrives at Don Hill’s to watch the band. Sewer Girl escorts Charlie backstage. Nicky invites him to smoke a joint with them. Delirium “DT” Tremens (Dylan T Jackson) warns him of her boyfriend’s mean streak. After identifying himself as her boyfriend, Sol tells Charlie that he is Sam’s friend. Charlie says he is supposed to meet her at Central Park. Sol pulls her away. Charlie compliments Nicky on his performance. As he prepares to do a line of coke, William approaches. Charlie rushes off to go meet Sam while William snorts coke.

Sam follows a whistling-like noise into the park. Sam turns and says, “Hi.” Mercer and Regan hang out smoking a joint when they hear a popping noise. She suggests it is the fireworks. When they hear another popping noise, he assures her it is gunshots. They rejoin the party before meeting Armory Gould (John Cameron Mitchell). Armory tells her that Bill Sr. is facing tax evasion charges and will be arrested as soon as his plane lands. She assures him that her father would never evade paying taxes before suggesting someone else is responsible. He says his name is on the checks and buildings.

Standing at the bus stop, Mercer hears strange noises coming from the park. He enters the park to find Sam lying on the ground. Frantic, he calls 911. She gasps for breath. He removes his jacket to cover her. Charlie hears Mercer’s screams for help. As Mercer runs away, he rushes over to her. He flees before Mercer returns with the rescue squad. He removes his pants and tosses them into the weeds. Keith returns home. Regan emerges to see the fire department and the police across the street. Amory looks down from the roof at the commotion below as Sam is taken away on a stretcher. Detective Ali “Al” Parsa (Omid Abtahi) asks Mercer what he was doing in Central Park. Mercer claims to have heard a noise while waiting on the bus. Detective Patricia PJ McFadden (Kathleen Munroe) approaches with his coat and a bag of drugs. Parsa puts him in the back of the police cruiser. Sam’s eyes flicker as the episode comes to an end.

 

City On Fire Cast

• Regan Hamilton-Sweeney Lamplighter (Jemima Kirke)
• William “Billy Three Sticks” Hamilton-Sweeney (Nico Tortorella)
• William “Bill” Hamilton-Sweeney Sr. (Geoff Pierson)
• Keith Lamplighter (Ashley Zukerman)
• William “Will” Hamilton-Sweeney Lamplighter Chaise Torio)
• Cate Hamilton-Sweeney Lamplighter (Evangeline Decker)
• Solomon “Sol” (Alexander Pineiro)
• Amory Gould (John Cameron Mitchell)
• Sewer Girl (Alexandra Doke)
• Samantha “Sam” (Chase Sui Wonders)
• Nicky Chaos (Max Milner)
• Detective Ali “Al” Parsa (Omid Abtahi)
• Detective Patricia PJ McFadden (Kathleen Munroe)

Where Was City On Fire Filmed

Filming locations were in and around Montreal, Quebec in Canada.

Where To Watch City On Fire

City on Fire premiered on Friday, May 12, 2023, on Apple TV+.

City On Fire Synopsis

Charlie is in New York City when he reacquaints with a schoolmate, Sam. They become fast friends. Sam is enthused with the rock-and-roll band, FX Post Facto. After losing one of its members, Billy Three-Sticks, the group disbands. The remaining members regroup to create Ex Nihilo. Nicky, Sol, Sewer Girl, and others blow up a local church. Sam agrees to let Sol take some of her father’s flammable chemicals. She later discovers he cleaned her father out.

Charlie’s mother forbids him to see Sam again after he stayed out all night on New Year’s Eve. Against her wishes, he meets up with her to attend Ex Nihilo’s first gig. What he doesn’t know is her affair with a married man. Keith is married to a wealthy tycoon’s daughter, Regan. She finds out about the affair through a note from an anonymous sender.

Having not seen her brother, William “Billy Three-Stick” in years, Regan is at a school event when she meets his partner, Mercer. She gives him an invitation to a July 4^th party. Mercer attends while William goes off to see Ex Nihilo. After inviting Charlie to the concert, Sam rushes off to meet Keith at Central Park. She believes something big is about to happen. Sewer Girl invites Charlie backstage after the event. She seems shocked when Sol identifies him as Sam’s friend. He tells them that they’re supposed to meet up at Central Park.

Sam is lured into the park where someone shoots her. Mercer is waiting on the bus when he hears strange noises coming from the park. He finds her a short distance away. Arriving a short time later, Charlie sees Mercer leaving to meet the police. He rushes over to her but leaves before Mercer returns. He tosses his pants in the weeds before fleeing. Mercer is arrested.

Bill Sr. is facing finance and tax fraud.

City On Fire Review

Apple TV is known for its impressive cinematography and superior picture quality. It’s unfortunate, the show is tainted by an undisciplined and convoluted script and sub-par acting. In addition to the script being bloated, the show feels like two different stories. Giving credit where it’s due, it would seem the stories are going to meet and become one. For now, the show doesn’t flow naturally and the constant jumping around is disorienting.

The arrest felt rushed which probably has a purpose. The pace is painfully slow while the dialogue is quite repetitive in some scenes. The show does have an interesting aspect that easily draws you in and holds your attention.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more City on Fire recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Our onsite advertising is scalable and effective in building online brand awareness.