The Slump – Episode 3 begins three weeks after the party with Kim/Kimberly (Ego Nwodim) and Lucy racing behind a regimen of motorcycle cops. Although it is completely unclear as to what is causing the hysteria, one thing is clear – Kim cannot reach Danny Grossman (Adam Pally) over the phone. The reason for this is soon revealed, he’s intentionally ignoring her calls to work out an important scheduling conflict with Sam/Samantha Judlow (Ayden Mayeri). When Kim finally tracks Danny to Sam’s house, the hysteria is explained – Stephen Curry (Stephen Curry) is apparently in a slump.

While Danny later explains to the documentary crew how every NBA basketball team has access to a police escort, Kim explains how everyone fails when Stephen fails. Returning to the current events, Danny appears happy that he can actually be of assistance to his friend. This is until Kim elucidates that it is Mitch Grossman (Tracy Letts) who Stephan needs. Despite both Kim and Sam’s insistence, Danny refuses to help, until Kim insinuates that it was Danny’s return that caused the slump. Danny eventually agrees to help but not before playing Charlie Grossman’s (Layla Scalisi) illness up to his advantage.

Stephen’s slump only goes from bad to worse and Sam’s date with Doctor Josh (Rich Sommer) doesn’t go much better. Lucy (Tien Tran) later theorizes that Sam might have an anxious attachment anxiety that causes her to self-sabotage. As for Charlie, she’s building on the momentum of her party and has apparently even become friends with Violet G (Maya Keane). After she excitedly explains this to Sam and Danny, they refine their approach to tell Stephan the truth.

To his credit, Danny once again attempts to talk to Stephen but is only met by resistance from Kim, who is now frantic over Stephen’s slump. She wastes little time throwing up everything Stephen has already done for Charlie and Danny can’t even reach out to his father. Danny claims he honestly doesn’t know where he is but Lucy ends that mystery.

According to the next scene, Mitch has apparently been spending his time touring high schools, performing anti-drug skits with a husband and wife team, Kyle (David Pasquesi) and Helen Libman (Brooke Breit). A skit at Milwaukee’s North Springs High School reveals that they have coined themselves The Mocktails and are embarrassingly bad. Things only become even more embarrassing when he finds Danny waiting for him in the parking lot. Their ensuing conversation reveals that Mitch has not only been sending Danny letters but sending money along with them. Danny, however, was so stubborn that he simply threw them away without opening them, literally costing him a fortune according to Mitch.

After a bit of back and forth, Mitch finally reveals the truth behind the unexpected visit. Mitch agrees to help without even thinking twice, which leads them to the Norwood Family Restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina where they get a stack of pancakes. Although Stephen isn’t with them, their next visit to the old Knight’s gymnasium appears to be as much for Danny as Stephen. At the gym, Mitch bargains with a custodian to get one of Stephen’s old jerseys and the team’s championship banner. Archived footage reveals that it was shortly after receiving the banner that things fell apart. When Mitch says they need to make one more stop at their old house, Danny accuses him of making this whole thing about himself.

Much to his surprise, Mitch admits that he is trying to make things right with Danny. Although Danny doesn’t appear open to even thinking about forgiving him, for some reason, he does agree to play him in a one-on-one game. If Danny wins Mitch steps out of his life forever and if Mitch wins, Danny will grant him the amends he’s seeking. Danny takes it as a forfeit when Mitch claims that he can’t gamble because of being in the program.

Danny returns home alone on Stephen’s jet and leaves Mitch to find his own way. While he does, Sam goes on another date with Dr. Josh. This time he brings up her pulling away, but this doesn’t do him any favors and actually leads to her breaking things off.

Things don’t look to be going much better for Stephen as Kim gives him pointers in his personal gym. She becomes hopeful when Danny shows up but immediately loses that when she discovers he’s alone. There is a bit of bickering but Danny ends up giving Stephen the advice that Mitch gave him about Stephen overextending on his shot. As Kim and Danny continue to argue, Stephen hits all his shots in the background.

The episode ends with everyone from Charlie to Mitch enjoying Stephen coming out of his slump. Things, however, immediately change when he announces the charity games in Charlie’s honor.

 

Mr. Throwback Review

This was actually a decent episode. I like the misleading opening as well as Sam’s strange interactions with Dr. Josh. It was nice to see Danny be able to help Stephen even though he could have been the cause of his problems. I even didn’t mind Kim’s frantic explanations about Stephenomics. I’m also glad that the episode ended with Charlie discovering the truth. Things should get really interesting from here on out. I’d give the episode a 5.5 out of 10.

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