Your Nuts Roasting On An Open Fire – As the fourth episode of Fellow Travelers begins, a man walks outside and gets hit by a truck. Tim Laughlin (Jonathan Bailey), Hawk (Matt Bomer), and Marcus (Jelani Alladin) talk about the current governor who supports the far right fascist Prop 64. When Jerome (Jude Wilson) steps outside, Marcus introduces him to Hawk. Marcus explains Jerome is a former student who was homeless when he met him. Hawk informs him he is more or less sober. He goes on to say Tim’s sister gave him his marching order, but Tim thinks he’s leading a revolution. Although Hawk got tested, he hasn’t heard from the clinic yet. As they start cursing, Frankie tells them to watch their language in his house.

Then, he says everyone is staying to watch Roy Cohn on 60 Minutes. Hawk realizes Marcus is a changed man. Meanwhile, Tim and the others complain about conservatives justifying every hateful thing they do with the Bible. They discuss the possibility of speaking to George. They believe they can get in if Hawk makes the appointment for them. As they continue talking, Tim begins coughing repeatedly. On television, Roy Cohn (Will Brill) claims he is in total remission and is not dying of AIDS. He goes on to say every facet of his personality is totally incompatible with anything homosexual.

Past – Hawk gets a letter from The Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs. He learns he is being summoned to appear for questioning. Mary Johnson (Erin Neufer) comes in and tells him she put it in his desk. Hawk admits he has a date with Mr. Right Wing. He tells Mary that he appreciates what she did. Thruston Morton (Robin Wilcock) comes in to speak to Hawk about his report into the Fort Monmouth investigation. Hawk argues that McCarthy and Cohn have crossed a line. Morton agrees although he admits the department can’t afford to draw fire from McCarthy. Hawk thinks they should exert the position with more force. Morton convinces Hawk to come to the holiday soiree tonight.

Meanwhile, McCarthy tells Tim to stick around. He tells the others they can trust him because he is a good Catholic boy. McCarthy learns about a memo being prepared at the Pentagon by John Adams detailing all of Cohn’s badgering on behalf of David Schine. Ever since Schine was drafted, Cohn has been demanding weekends off, reduced basic training, and even custom-made boots. Joe McCarthy (Chris Bauer) is told to fire Roy and save himself. He refuses because he believes the Army is just pushing back on their investigations at Fort Monmouth. When Tim is asked about it, he says Mr. Cohn should put aside any personal issue to protect the cause if he is truly dedicated to it. Joe says he will or he’ll face the consequences.

He decides to take Tim to a meeting with Adams this week in New York. David Schine (Matt Visser) calls Cohn to try to get another weekend pass. Cohn warns him they’re threatening to send him overseas. He says they have to be strategic because Senators are working to get him fired right now. Roy says he’ll try to get him another weekend pass. David says he’ll go to the meeting with him and they can go back to Waldorf after that. It’ll be David, Roy, and Brandy. Later, Hawk and Lucy Smith (Allison Williams) say hello to Mr. Morton. Then, Hawk speaks to Mr. McLeod who is the head of security. They talk about Lucy’s father. Marcus speaks to a man at a newspaper office. He is told he could have a larger audience with a bigger salary. Marcus is offered a temporary desk at The Post. He is told he should avoid the newsroom’s facility while getting situated.

Hawk meets Fred Traband who is the special agent in charge of investigations. Fred tells him that 80% of these sessions end with the admission of at least one prescribed behavior. They are averaging one resignation per day. Hawk tells him he is single, but there is a special lady in the picture. He is forced to get up and walk across the room. Once they finish for the day, Fred won’t tell Hawk how it went. Hawk knows a man left the unit last week and stepped in front of a truck. When Fred says they’re seeing about one suicide per week, Hawk asks if he worries someone might kill him instead. Fred tells him he’ll have to return tomorrow for a polygraph. Later, Hawk speaks to Mary about the meeting. She tells him that they’ll ask him questions about his private activities. She worries that he doesn’t take anything seriously.

Mary says he is deeply sincere and Hawk is going to hurt him. Miss Addison overhears and suspects she is talking about the boy who gave Hawk the book. Mary realizes that Addison reported Tim. Hawk tells her he is wonderful before asking why she doesn’t just suffer.

Present – Hawk tries to get Tim to eat so he can keep his weight up. He admits to knowing Dave Holm who is a Republican fundraiser although he doesn’t know him well. Tim wants Hawk to call his friend and convince him to set up a meeting with the governor’s chief of staff. Tim wants the chance to convince the governor to sign an AIDS anti-discrimination bill. He tells Hawk to stop playing the compassionate nurse because it doesn’t suit him. Hawk knows what it’s like to lose someone. Tim admits that was a stupid thing to say before asking about Lucy. Hawk says they’ve been managing for seven years now although it never really feels managed. Hawk says he can’t make that call. Tim believes he is worried that he’ll be coming out if he walks into that office with him. They begin arguing until Hawk leaves.

Past – Hawk watches the committee hearing. Tim gets Hawk a Christmas present. Tim tells him about the meeting in New York with McCarthy, Cohn, and John Adams. If possible, Tim would love to see the Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall. Then, Hawk gives Tim his Christmas present. Tim doesn’t think he should take Hawk’s cufflinks, but Hawk urges him to take them. Hawk asks Tim to give something to Schine tomorrow and no one else. He believes it might stop innocent people from getting hurt. Tim asks if he’ll see him again. Hawk gives him a kiss so he can remember him.

Present – Lucy calls Tim to ask if her husband is there. Tim tells her that she went out. He thanks Lucy for letting him stay for a few days although she isn’t sure she let him. Hawk drinks at a gay bar. He almost has sex with a man, but pushes him away and leaves.

Past – Hawk tries to train himself to beat the polygraph test. Jean gives Tim a signed picture of Joe McCarthy. Tim is told the spat with the Army has to end tonight. He is sent into the meeting to listen to the conversation. Cohn and the others talk about Schine and the investigation into Monmouth. McCarthy insists there will be no more requests by Mr. Cohn. Roy agrees unless the Army intends to ship Schine overseas. McCarthy says Schine is a patriot and will go wherever he needs to go. Roy argues before asking why Tim is hanging around. Hawk takes the polygraph test. He is asked about being at certain establishments. Hawk tries to stay calm while denying everything.

Tim and Jean talk about God and love. It saddens her that people are trying to stab her husband in the back. Tim says he wishes people didn’t have to get hurt. Jean suggests only commies and deviants are getting hurt. When Schine finally arrives, Roy comes out of the meeting calling them idiots. Joe tells Jean that the Army is bringing charges against him and Roy. The Senate Subcommittee on Investigations will be in charge. Jean tells Joe he got rid of that little Jew and his pervert friend. He can cut them free and let them twist in the wind before it’s too late. Tim gives the letter to Schine. Hawk learns he passed the polygraph test.

Later, Hawk gives Lucy a bracelet. Leonard interrupts and mentions that Hawk doesn’t have a family. Lucy tells Hawk that Leonard is so unhappy and no one knows why. Marcus watches Frankie and Storme perform. When Hawk arrives, Marcus tells him The Post is waiting until they’re confident he can pass as one of them. Hawk tells him how he used the absence of guilt to pass the polygraph test. He admits to thinking about Tim when asked if he has ever loved a man. Marcus asks if he is celebrating because he is a good liar or he doesn’t love Tim. Hawk says he isn’t celebrating. Roy believes McCarthy is going to fire him to save his skin. He argues that McCarthy can’t fire him because everyone will think he is a Jew hater. Schine looks at the pictures and shows them to Roy who says this is a time of nachas.

He says Joe isn’t going to fire him and David Schine is not going to Korea. Marcus tells Frankie he’ll be spending Christmas with his folks. Frankie asks if the old girlfriend will be there. He says it is exciting thinking of Marcus with a woman.

Present – Hawk returns and calls Tim’s name, but Tim doesn’t respond. Hawk tries to apologize for what happened earlier. He even agrees to try to arrange the meeting for him. Hawk finds Tim’s glasses on the floor. When Jerome enters, Hawk asks him where Tim is. Jerome says he is at the hospital. They were with him when Tim had a seizure and it is bad.

 

Fellow Travelers Review

The fourth episode of Fellow Travelers didn’t really hit the target as often as the previous episodes. Much of that may have to do with the fact that more time was dedicated to Joe McCarthy, Roy Cohn, and their stories. Generally, I find those scenes to be tedious and uninteresting even if the story is important. More effort probably should’ve been spent turning those involved into bigger villains. Even then, the dynamic relationship Tim has with Hawk is what will make or break the series.

This episode didn’t expand on that very well and just felt a little shallow. It still feels like the show is building up to an emotional explosion as Tim’s health worsens though. The eight-episode count is concerning, especially if the series tries to focus too heavily on the political side of the story. If it weren’t for the sex scenes, this episode would’ve had very little action. Sadly, the shock of those scenes will quickly wear thin and they’ll no longer have the desired impact.

What is going to make the series memorable is Tim, Bill, and their emotional relationship. This episode lacked in that area, but the ending gives some hope that something emotionally devastating is on the way. I need more of that and less of everything else. The episode scores a 5 out of 10. Recaps of Fellow Travelers can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link.

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