The Crowded Room Miniseries Episode 1 Recap

Exodus – The episode starts with Danny Sullivan (Tom Holland) scanning a New York subway car. As the camera pans around, it comes to focus on a brown paper bag in Danny’s grip. His travel companion, Ariana (Sasha Lane) gives him a bit of reassurance before taking a seat beside him. She says they don’t have to do it which is quickly responds, they’re doing it. An alert announces the “Rockefeller Center.” The duo disembarks into a crowded terminal when assures her that he won’t hurt anyone else.

Exiting the Radio City Music Hall, Danny and Ariana compose themselves before she brings his attention to their target across the street. When they spy on their target, he mistakes the mistake of turning to look at the man. He joins her as she crosses the street. As she prepares to cut off their target, he removes a gun from the paper bag. He moves in on the target before issuing orders that the man to stop. Joining him, she tells him to shoot the man. When he doesn’t comply, she takes the gun and fires but misses. The man flees while she fires more shots, causing panic in the crowded Plaza. After emptying the chamber, she disposes of the gun. Another shot hits the man in the right shoulder. Danny takes in the scene as sirens are getting closer. He grabs the revolver before fleeing.

The commuters hunker and hide to avoid getting shot. Danny finds himself inside an apartment complex where he encounters Yitzhak (Lior Raz) who demands to know Ariana’s whereabouts. Danny tells him that something happened. Penning him against the wall, Yitzhak listens as Danny blames everything on Ariana. He hands him money and passports before ordering him to find his father. As Yitzhak heads back to where he came from, Danny cocks the gun and follows his lead.

What seems like a time-lapse, Danny is burning evidence as the police surround the building. An officer orders him to come out with his hands up which he complies.

The Precinct – Matty Dunne (Thomas Sadoski ) fills Rya (Amanda Seyfried) in on the shooting that left a man and woman wounded. She warns Danny is on the verge of murder charges. Rya questions the whereabouts of Ariana and the landlord. Matty suggests Danny killed them before asking if he is a serial killer. Rya points out he doesn’t have the traits of a serial killer. Matty tells her that he may have killed Ariana and Yitzhak, and there  blood and a bullet-shattered window inside the house. A man adds there are no bodies or weapons. He tells her that the evidence is circumstantial at best. Rya says Danny and Ariana were at the Rockefeller Center to put fear in their target who hasn’t been identified.

Interrogation Room – Danny continues to deny any knowledge of Ariana and Yitzhak’s whereabouts. Rya informs him of the police being unable to track them down. She asks why he was living with Yitzhak. He claims the place is like a boardinghouse. He claims to have moved in 1977 when he was a junior in high school.

In a flashback, Danny’s stepfather, Marlin Reid (Will Chase) is none too fond of him. While Candy (Emmy Rossum) smokes over frying bacon, Marlin suggests Danny’s mother spoiled him. He tries to get into the bathroom where Danny has been soaking in the tub. Candy has no interest in his complaints when Danny emerges from the bathroom. She alerts him of their leaving in five minutes while putting the finishing touches on Danny’s BLT. Marlin sarcastically admits to wishing he could sleep till 8 like a spoiled brat. Backpack in hand, Danny heads for the door to find Marlin blocking the exit. Marlin asks if his not liking him is why they don’t hang out more. Candy approaches to find him clutching Danny’s arm. When she demands he release him, he asks who is going to make him. Danny gets his opportunity to escape while Candy is left to deal with Marlin.

At School – Jonny (Levon Hawke) suggests stickers could liven up their lockers. Learning about his eventful morning with Marlin, Jonny shows Danny a magic trick. Danny asks about Mike (Sam Vartholomeos) who he learns will be at Joey Lathem’s party. They discuss the party as a student flips the bird at Danny before calling him a “freak.” Jonny responds with his middle finger. Danny questions how they got invited to Joey’s party. Jonny informs him that Joey extended an invitation to everyone. They plan to meet at 7pm in the courtyard. Before departing, Jonny says check your pocket where Danny discovers a playing card. Danny denies it is the one he picked earlier.

Working on a charcoal sketch of Adam, Danny tells Jonny that he misses him once in a while. He claims to receive a “drowning” warning when “it” is about to hit.

Interrogation Room – “The Professor” is intrigued by Danny and Adam being identical and inseparable. Upon his return, Danny announces he isn’t going to talk. Rya says losing someone sucks. He asks if that is her professional opinion. Smirking, she says, “Something like that.”

Joey Lathem’s Party – Jonny and Danny try to raise someone inside to let them in. Making their way to the back entrance, Danny questions the invitation. Jonny assures him that Joey invited them. The party is in full swing when they finally reach their target. A stunning athlete, Mike greets Danny while practically ignoring Jonny. He escorts him to an ice cooler filled with beer that Danny refuses but Jonny readily accepts. As Mike toots his own horn, a sexy girl, Annabelle Stone (Emma Laird) across the yard holds Danny’s attention. Mike informs him of Annabelle’s recently transferring to their school. Jonny takes note of the girl’s acquisition of a “bottle” and suggests they go partake.

An apparent time-lapse shows Danny on the ground while the part rages on. He and Annabelle eventually make eye contact. Sometime later, she approaches to check on him. She suggests something makes him sad. He admits to enjoying his own company once in a while. She asks if he smokes. Jumping on the offer, he realizes she came empty-handed. Eden (Nuala Cleary) pulls Annabelle back to the party. Annabelle returns moments later with a sparkler.

Danny’s House – The sight of Marlin is quick to crush Danny’s good mood. Getting into a vehicle, Marlin quickly invites Danny to join him. As Danny declines the offer, a vehicle pulls up by the curb and the driver turns off the headlights. He questions if someone moved into the “ghost house.” Marlin sarcastically says a “ghost” before extending his invitation to join him again. Danny says he has homework.

Interrogation Room – Rya questions Danny about his first encounter with Ariana and Yitzhak. Danny claims it was the first time he saw Yitzhak. She asks if Ariana and Yitzhak are together. He denies any knowledge of them. She asks if he knows anything about Yitzhak. Getting nowhere, she asks about his encounter with the man. Danny admits it was at a time when his relationship with Marlin was strained.

Danny’s Neighborhood – Jonny and Danny spot Yitzhak as they tour the neighborhood. They question what an Iranian is doing there when Mike sneaks up from behind and whispers something to Danny. Realizing what they’re looking at, Mike approaches Yitzhak who asks what gave him away before claiming to hail from Israel.

Interrogation Room – Rya asks Danny to precisely recant what Yitzhak told him. Danny claims he told him that the boardinghouse would soon reopen and he had business in the area. She asks what type of business. Danny tells her that he never went into depth about his business venture. She says unresolved were assaults reported in Elm Ridge last year. She suggests a new presence in the area may be involved.

In a flashback, Jonny claims to have seen Annabelle at “Ronaldo’s.” Mike suggests he ask her out but he needs more confidence. He reminds him of her inviting him to get high. Jonny tells them that they should buy an ounce of pot for $100 and sell it for $150. He says girls like to smoke pot. Danny and Mike question whether they will get the money to pay for it. As they exit the pharmacy, Jonny asks if Marlin utilizes the new ATMs across the street and stores his pin in his underwear drawer. It’s just a matter of getting his ATM card. If Marlin only makes a single withdrawal on Saturday, they can replace the money without him knowing it. Mike questions if buying a few joints would be easier. Jonny warns it could give Annabelle the impression Danny is broke. Danny says she may not really want to get high. Swallowing the handcuff key, Jonny handcuffs his hands behind his back. Seconds later, the handcuffs are off.

Interrogation Room – Danny explains their plan more in-depth for Rya. Marlin always passes out drunk on Saturday. With Candy working a double shift at the hospital, it is just a matter of Marlin passing out.

In a flashback, Danny carefully accesses the pin code, 4729.” Marlin gives him a scare as he works on getting the ATM card. Money in hand, they need to buy the weed from Angelo (Stephen Barrington). Exiting the vehicle, Jonny approaches some people to ask where to find Angelo. Describing him as the “white boy,” someone calls for Angelo who denies knowing a David. He warns it was a trick and they shouldn’t have come. Mike says they want to buy an ounce of weed. Angelo invites them into his office. Danny gives him the money to validate if it is the right amount and real. Opening his overcoat, Angelo asks which strain they want – Colombian, Panama Red, or Arabian Black. Jonny suggests Panama Red. Seconds later, Angelo has Danny pinned against a wall. Mike claims they can get him a lot of business from “rich white kids.” Releasing Danny, Angelo orders them to go.

Danny and Mike flee while Jonny hands back to get the weed which Angelo turns over without further ado.

High School – Danny stows three dime bags of weed in his locker. Mike tries to calm him down when Jonny approaches and jerks the backpack off Danny’s shoulder. Jonny claims Sally Jepsum was informed of their having some weed to move. Struggling to get full control of the backpack, he assures Danny that he can trust him. Mike and Jonny sell nearly all the pot when Bill tackles Danny without so much as an apology. Mike helps him to his feet when he spots Annabelle. When Danny approaches her, she informs him of her plans to attend Charlotte’s party this weekend. He says Charlotte never invited him. As Eden pulls her away, he tells her about the weed. Eden accuses him of lying. Frustrated, he reveals the three dimes bags in his locker before inviting her to hang out “under the bridge” later. She readily agrees to meet him at 7pm.

Bill bullies Danny once more before Annabelle intervenes. As Danny approaches his locker, Principal Greet (Billy Carter) asks to search his locker. Danny asks why. Greer says someone reported him for having marijuana in his locker. As Bill and Eden watch from a short distance away, he denies the allegations. Bill warns that Danny is screwed when Greer searches his locker to come up empty-handed. Agitated, Greer reprimands Mr. Carter while Mike and Jonny join Danny. Claiming to have saw Bill and Eden talking after lunch, Mike suggests they’re up to no good. Jonny exposes to rolls of cash, one of which will be utilized to repay Marlin. Taking the cash, Danny questions how he accessed his locker. Jonny says magic. Danny rechecks his once previously empty pockets to find the three dime bags.

Under The Bridge – Danny approaches to find Annabelle waiting on a swing. He admits to believing she wouldn’t come. She tells him that pot wasn’t necessary to convince her to hang out with him. They share a joint and get intimate.

Danny’s Residence – Later that evening, Danny puts the finishing touches on a painting of Annabelle. He places it and a joint in an envelope. The next morning at school, Annabelle pleads with Eden to talk to him. She contines walking while Eden asks why he lied about the marijuana being in his locker. He admits to having no idea. He tries to convince her to give the envelope to Annabelle but she warns it won’t work. A quick glance at Annabelle confirms her warning. When she knocks the envelope out of his hand, the joint rolls out onto the floor just as Greer passes. Picking it up, Greer demands to know who it belongs to. Danny flees through the gym and doesn’t stop until he reaches home. He answers the phone to hear hostile Marlin ask if Candy accessed his bank account. He warns there will be he** to pay.

When Danny goes outside, he spots Bill and several other boys approaching. He runs for several blocks before they apprehend him. Bill beats him up as he pleads for mercy. One of the boys tries to pull Bill off Danny but ends up getting shoved. Yitzhak intervenes and subdues Bill and head-butts another boy. The physical onslaught continues until the boys flee. He suggests Danny pinch the bridge of his nose to stop the bleeding before inviting him in to get cleaned up.

Interrogation Room – Danny admits to being afraid after the beating. He didn’t feel like going back to school. Marlin didn’t make it easy at home. Rya questions how it was that Yitzhak showed up out of nowhere to rescue him. He assures her there was nothing strange about it before explaining how he first met Ariana. He says it felt as if she was always part of his life. Yitzhak nicknamed them “Barney and Clyde.” His home became Danny’s home and they became his family. Rya asks if they are together. He claims to have no idea. She warns he could end up in prison if she doesn’t show up. She says they aren’t the first people close to him to disappear before reminding him of Adam.

 

The Crowded Room Review

Being based on a true occurrence, this is certainly an intriguing story. As for the factuality, I cannot attest because I haven’t looked into it. It does seem the series wasn’t well-received by other viewers. For me, I would give the first episode an easy 5 out of 10. The acting seemed on point for the most part. I didn’t find the dialogue that bad either. What really got me, however, was the opening sequence. The boy carrying the gun around in the bag seemed ignorant.

That and all the incessant bullying is what turned me off the most. I understand the boy might have had a hard go of it, and the character handles most of it well in the first episode. It just seems a bit much at times. I can also understand the need to convey as much information as possible in the given time, but the first episode seemed extremely drawn out.

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