As episode 1 of Season 4 of "Barry" unfolds, the nation is captivated by the breaking news of Barry's arrest, broadcast live on national television. In the bowels of the prison, officers eagerly anticipate his arrival, their eyes glued to the screen despite the grave accusation of cop-killing hanging over his head. Their excitement to "service" him in any capacity underscores the morbid curiosity that shrouds his infamy.
Meanwhile, DA Buckner and Chief Krauss, flanked by Gene Cousineau, stand at a podium during a press conference, briefing the media on Barry's arrest, which is linked to Janice's murder and an attempted hit on James Moss, her father. The gravity of the situation is palpable.
Barry's first phone call, a trembling line to Gene who is still immersed in the meeting, reveals a tone of sheer terror mingled with a profound sense of misunderstanding. He attempts, in a feeble voice, to explain that his visit to the house was a protective gesture aimed at shielding Gene. It's a desperate bid to reclaim Gene's favor and cling to the shattered illusion that Gene still holds affection for him. Gene, unwavering, repeats his assurance from the previous season's climactic scene: "I got you."
Elsewhere, Sally's return to Joplin, Missouri is met with an avalanche of messages and notifications upon landing. Lindsay, her talent agent, delivers the bombshell news of Barry's arrest over the phone. Sally, upon hearing the news, appears to slip into a state of shock, her panic attack unfolding like a storm in her mother Claudia's car. Claudia, calmly placing a food order amidst the chaos, betrays a reaction—or lack thereof—that hints at familiarity with such crises. It speaks volumes about the neglect Sally has suffered at her mother's hands, adding another layer of trauma to her already fraught existence.
Sally's panic attack serves as a raw, visceral moment in the episode, mirroring the turmoil within her. In a separate cell block, Fuches catches sight of Barry, walking past him in disbelief. This chance encounter strikes fear into Fuches' heart. He swiftly contacts the FBI, reaching out to Agent Harris (a familiar face to fans of "There Will Be Blood," where he was memorably threatened by Daniel Plainview). Harris, agreeing to offer protection and "a new life" in exchange for Fuches' cooperation, tasks him with wearing a wire and eliciting confessions from Barry regarding other murders.
The stage is set for a season filled with tension, betrayal, and the unraveling of fragile alliances.
Buckner is deeply impressed by Gene's diligent work and reassuringly guarantees him that his family is now in safe hands. We discover that NoHo Hank and Cristobal, who narrowly escaped the jaws of death in the previous season, have found refuge in Santa Fe. They are temporarily residing in a rental property and, through the homeowner, come to learn about a critical scarcity of dependable, high-quality sand in the vicinity. Cristobal proposes to Hank that they embark on a fresh venture, fulfilling the aspirations they harbored when they first set foot in America.
Sally finds her room unceremoniously transformed into her father's "man cave." As Barry calls her next, he manages to utter only "I love you" before Sally abruptly terminates the call. Barry, confined to the prison courtyard, reminisces about his first encounter with Sally on the theater's outdoor staircase. Gene passes by him, just as he did years ago, while Barry attempts to tune out his current reality and reframe his life's narrative, cherishing the fond memories. Caught in a moment of delusion, a fleeting glimpse of Fuches jolts him back to reality.
Fuches makes a pathetically clandestine effort to sneakily extract a confession, but Barry remains indifferent. He bemoans his decision to enroll in the acting class and "seek self-understanding," which proved catastrophic for his life. He apologizes to Fuches and strides away.
James visits Gene, whose Masterclass program has achieved immense popularity. When James mentions that Lon O'Neill, a reputable journalist from Variety, has reached out to him, both men solemnly pledge to keep Barry's case under wraps.
Joe, the effervescently cheerful father of Sally, defies all logic by maintaining an oddly upbeat demeanor, despite being aware that Sally's former beau is behind bars for a heinous murder. This peculiar display only serves to underscore the depth of Sally's tumultuous past and the profound suffering she endured, unsupported emotionally by her own parents. As the family sits through episodes of Sally's life portrayed in "Joplin," her parents remain strikingly unmoved, oblivious to the extent to which Sally has exaggerated her traumas and their own neglectful behavior towards her. Instead, they dwell on trivia, with Claudia mentioning she must inform Sam's mother about Sally's use of his real name in the series—a triviality amidst the gravity of Sally's abusive relationship with Sam, who attempted to end her life.
Hank, haunted by a nightmare revisiting his own ordeal as a prisoner in Bolivia, reaches out to Barry in distress. However, when Barry fails to answer, Hank abruptly ends the call, consumed by terror. In a bathroom mirror, Barry experiences a moment akin to Travis Bickel's, conversing with his reflection and self-punishing with repeated slaps across his face. Officer Birdwell, attempting to comfort him, finds himself intimidated by Barry's dark self-proclamation as a "cop killer," which deeply disturbs Birdwell, prompting him to slam the door shut and savagely assault Barry.
Barry, already disconnected from reality, drifts back to a fond memory of running freely across an expansive field. Enter Fuches, who gently cradles the bloodied Barry in his arms, reaffirming their unbreakable bond of love. And so, they find themselves back at the starting line, amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, Gene persists in calling Lon anonymously, urging him to reach out to Gene, who promises to unveil "all about Barry Berkman."
