Prosper Series 1 Episode 8 Recap

Promised Land – The episode opens with Cal Quinn (Richard Roxburgh) telling Abi Quinn (Rebecca Gibney) that he was trying to help Rosa Adebayo (Brigid Zengeni) who was barely hanging on. He assures her that whatever she was doing did not include God. Upon boarding a private jet, he asks his family if they are ready to build a church. Issy Kalani (Hayley McCarthy) is surprised to learn Moses opted out of the trip. Benji Kalani (Jordi Webber) sarcastically suggests he didn’t want to be “Miracle Boy”. Dion Quinn (Ewen Leslie) points out how strange it is without Eli Slowik (Jacek Koman). Cal proposes some of the others should have stayed in Australia as well. He needs to be surrounded by people who he can depend on. Abi sends everyone a video of Rosa and Cal doing drugs together. Cal realizes what she did as the plane prepares for takeoff.

Upon arrival at the LA airport, the Quinn family is met by Mitch Leeway (Christopher James Baker) and Kasey Leeway (Nikki Shiels). Abi asks Juno Adebayo (Andrea Solonge) and Jed Quinn (Jacob Collins Levy) to ride with her. In another vehicle, Taz Quinn (Ming-Zhu Hii) asks Issy if she was aware of the video. Issy reminds her that Cal is a drug addict for life. Dion voices concern about Cal enduring the U Star launch. Benji Kalani (Jordi Webber) questions if Cal is suitable to lead the church. Dion says and you are. Dion leaves Eli a voicemail telling him to get on the next plane to LA. Issy asks who left him in charge.

Juno, Jed, and Abi discuss the video. Juno argues that Rosa was under Cal’s care. Abi says he is no longer fit to lead the church which he will ruin if they do not stop him. Elsewhere, Mitch interrupts Cal’s flashback to show him a U Star LA billboard. Upon arrival at their location, Juno accuses Cal of pushing Rosa to the edge of the cliff and abandoning her there. He admits to failing her but truly cared about her. He attributes his failure to Satan. She says Rosa let the devil in as well.

While packing his things, Eli listens to voicemails from Dion urging him to come to LA. He receives a call from Dan Gascoigne (James Saunders) when Tayla (Emma Horn) enters the room. She tells him that she will not sign a non-disclosure agreement like Alice. She claims the Quinns utilized a company card for first-class flights, shopping expeditions, fancy hotels, and helicopters. He asks if she has evidence to back her claim because they will come for her. She denies being afraid of them.

Cal visits the U Star Church in LA for the first time. Abi tells him to not forget that it is their church too. Taz goes over their schedule with him.

Eli gives Moses a surfboard initially meant for his son. Mo hugs him. Upon leaving, he receives a call from Dan inquiring about his termination from U Star. Elsewhere, Juno and Jed spend time alone together.

Good Morning Show – Maddox “M.Dox” (Alex Fitzalan), Issy, and Benji are interviewed by the host. After the show, Issy voices concern about people thinking U Star supports substance abuse. Benji says they probably didn’t notice. She reminds him that he is responsible for Maddox until Sunday. Taz demands he not give M.Dox access to drugs.

Abi and Cal are interviewed by Bryan (Brad Grisaffe) and Becky (Paige Walker). Bryan asks if they ever get tired of working together. Cal confesses to loving Abi and she is his right hand. Abi agrees they make it work. Later, Cal practices his speech for the launch. Lori (Becca Hurd) alerts him of mechanical issues. Cal gets frustrated and walks off the stage. Jed joins him on the stairs. Cal says everything was simple but when the dreams got bigger, it got out of control. Jed suggests going back to where he started.

Dan tells Eli that his termination from U Star may be for the best. Eli questions who will hire a 60-year-old man. Dan says the Quinns can expect a federal warrant for a tax audit any day now. He offers Eli immunity if he cooperates with the investigation.

Cal tries to justify his terminating Eli. Abi asks where the anger is coming from. He says Eli should be there. She accuses him of never fessing up to being wrong. He stresses the need for them to stick together. She asks how the video of him and Rosa doing drugs together looks. He claims to have confessed and believes God has forgiven him. She warns that it is a problem for the church if God hasn’t forgiven him. Later, Cal visits a local pub. He is plagued by flashbacks of Rosa.

During dinner, Cal confesses to turning Issy’s pregnancy with Moses into a “secret shame” and sending Dion for treatment when he was 16 and struggling with his sexuality. He admits to buying and burning Jed’s community center and having an affair with Rosa. When Benji tries to leave, Cal claims to have paid a lot of money to make his underage liaison go away. He reminds him of his NDAs. Issy assures him that Alice lied. He accuses her of blackmailing him for senior pastor of U Star LA. He says anyone without sin, cast the first stone. He warns that Satan has a hold over their church.

Dion falls backward into the swimming pool. Laughing, he says Cal and Abi only did what they thought was best. He tells Taz that he kissed Jonathan Malik (Matthew Backer). He only wants her to be happy. Elsewhere, Issy is looking at Alice’s profile when Benji enters the room.

The next morning, Abi and the others discover Cal is gone. Issy suggests Benji lead the launch. Abi tries to call Cal to no avail. Jed urges Abi to lead the launch. Dion agrees to do it. Abi informs Mitch and Kasey that Dion will do the launch.

Eli ignores an incoming call from Dan. Tayla finds a box of U Star bank documents in front of her flat. In LA, Dion backs out of doing the launch. Jed walks out on the stage. He explains his meaning of the church. Abi says amen. Cal says amen from his car. In Australia, the Feds raid U Star Church. In the United States, Cal deserts his car, phone, and wallet before walking into the desert. The episode ends.

 

Prosper Review

An extremely disappointing finale but not unexpected. There is no closure, only more revelations and subplots left hanging. After watching the finale, it seems the team is assured the series will be renewed for season 2. However, I’m not buying it. A pilot fail is not a good way to score a second season.

Jed is someone who has no faith in the church. All he sees is corruption and has gone so far as to take his belief public. After a three-year hiatus and a community center fire, he is back living with Eli. Abi manipulates him into going to the LA launch. Cal drops out of the launch and Dion steps up but backs out at the last minute. Jed confidently and without a doubt assumes the responsibility.

Kasey relies on the church for everything, including a job and a place to live. Eli knew this, so why give her U Star bank records? Why not give them to Dan to keep the Feds off his back? She can’t possibly expect to take on the Quinns alone.

Too many aspects do not add up. A sorry excuse for a finale if ever I have seen one. I rate it a 4.5 out of 10. Get more Prosper recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with our site can help build your brand awareness, click here. Join our newly established forum to discuss Prosper and other TV shows, celebrity news, sports, and more.