At a concise 38 minutes, "Dirty Pain" stands as the briefest chapter in Aaron Hernandez's tumultuous saga thus far, and I wouldn't bet against my upcoming recap mirroring this truncated yet intense format. This week, the spotlight falls squarely on paranoia, with Lee Edward Colston's script meticulously weaving this theme throughout every fiber of the narrative.
Following the harrowing incident that robbed Sherrod of an eye but spared his life, conventional justice holds little allure for him. Instead, he craves psychological torment for Aaron, far preferring this venue over conversations with detectives. And his twisted plan is bearing fruit: upon receiving Sherrod's first posthumous call, Aaron bolts home to ensure the well-being of Shayanna and their child. From this moment, the tension escalates exponentially. Hours are spent glued to the screens of his newly installed security cameras, Aaron tensing and clutching his firearm whenever a vehicle slows near his residence. His weed consumption skyrockets, a seemingly futile endeavor to quell his mounting anxiety. He even obtains a fresh phone number, employing the old one solely for receiving threatening texts, keeping Shayanna in the dark.
To be impartial, Aaron's paranoia isn't unfounded: Sherrod is actively fueling his fears, relentlessly taunting and claiming proximity to Gillette Stadium, purely to unnerve him. The series has painted Sherrod as a menacing figure, perhaps capable of bloodthirsty retribution. Yet, Aaron alone bears the responsibility for his plight. His California exile with his family, meant to heal a torn labrum, fails to address the greater issue haunting him. Deep down, Aaron acknowledges this truth. Seeking solace, he visits Bill Belichick during the Scouting Combine, recounting a sanitized version of events and pleading for a trade, only to receive a resolute denial. Belichick advises Aaron to use his L.A. trip as a buffer period; if threats persist come spring's end, they'll enlist Patriots security.
The temporal progression between scenes in this series often remains ambiguous, but it seems Aaron and Shayanna enjoy a mere handful of serene days in California before grim news strikes again: Alexander Bradley, alias Sherrod, initiates a lawsuit against him. It's during this phone call with Brian Murphy that Aaron's poker face crumbles spectacularly. His reaction, when Murphy mentions, "They're saying you shot this guy in the face," is anything but convincing. Aaron stutters, "What? No, that's... that's insane; get out of here." Hardly persuasive! His subsequent inquiry about Sherrod's monetary demands—no less than $2 million—instantly raises Murphy's suspicions, prompting him to adopt his standard policy of ignorance.
At the very least, Aaron has Chris as a physical beacon of solace, despite his persistent denial of any genuine emotional bond between them. Yet, Chris emerges as one of the most enigmatic figures in this narrative, even amidst Jake Cannavale's commendable portrayal. We are left in the dark about his inner workings; just recently, he articulated compelling reasons to sever ties with Aaron, yet now, he's sending texts saying "I miss you" and eagerly resuming their intimate relationship, with neither party having undergone any substantial transformation. Their reconciliation in this episode merely serves to envelop Aaron in shame and propel him further towards the brink. At this juncture, it seems improbable that Aaron will ever truly experience joy again. Bear in mind, his NFL career is essentially finished, albeit unbeknownst to the masses. By June's end, he will be incarcerated, charged with first-degree murder. "Dirty Pain" may not introduce Odin Lloyd directly, but it immerses us in the murderer's psychological landscape, laying the groundwork for his tragic demise.
Aaron cannot spend an evening alone with his infant without resorting to weed, beer, and Oxy – the latter two procured simultaneously at the pharmacy. These darkly humorous inventions might strike as odd considering the grim reality behind the story, but they offer a refreshing break from the oppressive darkness that dominated the latter half of the season. Naturally, Aaron nods off rather than attending to the baby or changing her soiled diapers. When Shayanna confronts him about his incessant lies and secrets, his fury ignites, culminating in a police visit after he throws a vase from the mantel and screams at her in front of the baby. Both stick to the story of "roughhousing" to avoid a deeper police inquiry, but one senses that Aaron's celebrity status would shield him even if the truth came out. One of the officers at their door is a fan, after all.
"Aaron Hernandez" has unveiled myriad demons within its titular character, but this episode marks the first time he appears genuinely depressed and capable of anything. D.J.'s discovery of his brother sitting on the beach with a gun comes as a shock, yet it aligns with Aaron's tumultuous state. Here stands a man atop his success, richer than most could fathom, yet rapidly realizing that happiness transcends money and fame. It necessitates living one's life with authenticity and sincerity. However, for Aaron Hernandez, such authenticity will forever remain elusive.
The scene featuring the brothers stands as this episode's climax, a profoundly emotional moment that resonates deeply due to their shared history. D.J. expresses his willingness to trade everything for Aaron's life, blissfully unaware of the full picture. Unable to fathom Aaron's inner turmoil, D.J. offers only hollow platitudes when Aaron's confession of "I'm not okay" should be treated as a desperate cry for help. Invoking their father ignites a spark within Aaron, compelling him to rise and support his family. Yet, there's an irony here. The constant pressure from Dennis Hernandez's specter is partly to blame for Aaron's struggles.
In the climactic scene, Aaron appears revitalized, surrounded by a fresh security detail and an entire concealed arsenal tucked away in a clandestine apartment. That closing image almost foreshadows a heart-pounding home-invasion shootout for the following episode, yet this isn't the narrative arc we're traversing. This tale revolves around a solitary individual and the multitude of lessons he failed to internalize from his past missteps. There's no delight in witnessing a man's slow descent into disarray.
