*Episode premise spoilers.*
This is a strong episode. While the character dynamics follow the same trajectory they’ve been on since the start, there’s a major shakeup in the plot here that brings a different flavor to the interactions. That, and there’s some really fun stuff from Andrew Rannells.
Nick has convinced Steve to let him open a second Chippendales in New York. It seems made for a win/win: because Nick has access to Bradford’s deep pockets, it doesn’t cost Steve anything, and because Steve will still be running things in LA, Nick gets to put 3,000 miles between them. However, as the New York club starts to gain attention, Steve doesn’t like that it’s all going in Nick’s direction.
There’s such a perfect storm of personalities on this show that everything we see happening is inevitable, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining to watch. Steve and Nick created a sensation together, one that required both of their talents, but they’re such opposing forces that they can’t help but clash. Steve envies Nick’s easy rapport with everyone and the way people naturally gravitate towards the charismatic white guy as the presumed leader. As a result, he clings to what’s his, and Nick feels stifled and micromanaged. He also resents Steve’s accusation that he’s stealing focus on purpose. Both are too proud and stubborn to give the other any leeway for more than a few minutes, so it’s clear we’re barreling towards a collision.
No singing or sex from Andrew Rannells this time, but we still get some good Bradford content. Unsurprisingly, he has to talk Nick down from a few Steve-induced rages. There’s a scene where he witnesses Nick in a shouting match on the phone that culminates in him slamming down the receiver and exclaiming, “What an asshole!” Blithely, Bradford deadpans, “…Was that Steve?”
He's also delightfully bitchy to Denise in an understated yet completely obvious way. They’re both so stubborn that they likely wouldn’t have gotten along anyway, but because they’re Nick’s two favorite people—Denise his best friend/collaborator and Bradford his lover—they’re naturally suspicious of each other. Rannells’s delivery is spectacular on lines like, “Hi, Denise! Look at your fun top,” and, “You can bring all your stuff from Queens, or wherever you’re from.”
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