Has Charlie Cale finally discovered her eternal abode? It seems we are inching ever closer to that comforting reality, albeit the implications for the continued journey of "Poker Face" remain shrouded in uncertainty. In the episode titled "A New Lease on Death," Charlie finds herself ensconced in the bustling metropolis of New York City, sans any immediate intentions of departure, and a world away from the omnipresent specter of mob violence. The notion of Charlie planting roots rather than roaming is an enticing possibility, yet something about this installment failed to fully resonate with me. Perhaps it's because it bears a passing resemblance to a pilot for a fresh series, instilling an eerie sense of displacement at this juncture of the season. Additionally, the weekly mystery lacks the usual tightness I've come to anticipate, portraying a sloppy killer as a criminal genius, a stretch at best.
Before crossing paths with said murderer, we are introduced to Anne, a retired poetry professor portrayed by Lauren Tom, and her spirited granddaughter, bike messenger Maddy, played by Awkwafina. They share a cozy abode in Anne's rent-controlled, opulent apartment – three bedrooms, four bathrooms, two fireplaces – which Anne has been privileged to inhabit for a mere $640 a month since 1972. (Let it be noted, I too would jump at such an incredible steal.) To retain this golden opportunity, Anne must bequeath the apartment to a spouse or offspring, prompting her to embark on the process of adopting Maddy as her daughter. A brilliant stratagem, until it's abruptly derailed by the entrance of Kate (Alia Shawkat), whom Anne befriends after a chance encounter over a plum at a fruit stand. "I have seized the plum that caught your eye for breakfast," Kate announces. "You are absolved," Anne replies, smitten. "It looks delightful, so sweet, so refreshing." For a poetry professor, invoking William Carlos Williams is akin to hitting a home run; thus, their swift descent into intimacy, despite a three-decade age gap, isn't entirely unexpected.
However, while it may not come as a shock to us, it certainly catches Maddy off guard. She's taken aback to learn about Anne's vibrant bisexual past – and present – but insists she's thrilled for her grandmother. But when Kate moves in after just two weeks, disrupting Maddy and Anne's cherished routines of watching "Jeopardy!" and "Michael Clayton," Maddy's disdain becomes increasingly difficult to conceal. Determined to uncover the truth, Maddy enlists the help of her librarian friend Ricardo and discovers that Kate is actually Amelia Peek, a fugitive with three outstanding warrants for her arrest. Confronting Kate, Maddy accuses her of preying on Anne solely for the rent-controlled apartment (a valid accusation). Though Kate denies it, she agrees to sever ties after Maddy threatens to turn her in to the authorities. Naturally, Kate has no intention of leaving; instead, she rigs the laundry room and tricks Maddy inside. As the spin cycle commences, a bottle of bleach spills, mingling with descaler Kate deliberately spilled, trapping Maddy as a toxic cloud of chlorine gas engulfs her.
Rest assured, Maddy's demise will not remain unavenged for long. Charlie has arrived in New York, courtesy of her CB radio buddy Good Buddy, with an apartment in the very same building. (She's forced to repeatedly deceive building superintendent Otto, played by David Alan Grier, about her true purpose, as sublets are prohibited. Charlie excels at detecting lies but falters when it comes to weaving them.) Charlie senses a promising vibe in New York – reasoning that while she encounters nonsense wherever she goes, the overwhelming cacophony of the city might serve as a white noise machine, allowing her to live freely. While this notion holds appeal in theory, Charlie's compassion for others prevents her from tuning out those in distress. Moreover, she has a penchant for becoming closely entwined with murder victims, as evidenced by her friendship with Maddy and subsequent invitation to the highly sought-after apartment. I cherished Charlie's fleeting befuddlement when Maddy inquiries if she enjoys "Jeopardy!" "It certainly has a way of crossing my path," Charlie responds. "I can't say I adore it, though there's something invigorating about confronting one's own mortality." Maddy clarifies she meant the game show, and I refrain from being overly pedantic by pointing out that what they actually end up watching with Anne is "Jeopardy! Masters."
As is her custom, Charlie swiftly forges a connection with the week's guest stars, yet her burgeoning bond with Maddy is abruptly severed—well, you are already aware of the circumstances. Charlie arrives at Anne's place intending to pay her condolences, only to cross paths with Kate, who proudly announces her engagement to Anne. "Bullshit," retorts Charlie, adding, "soon-to-be engaged, more like." Kate also denies Charlie the chance to see Anne, citing her mourning period. Shawkat, as an actress, is consistently excellent; however, her character's overt villainy renders her somewhat unbelievable. I often emphasize the importance of suspending disbelief while indulging in 'Poker Face,' but Kate pushed me to my limits; she lacked the gravitas to be a formidable antagonist. This sentiment was further cemented when she learned that Ricardo was the one who unveiled her true identity and confronted him with a minuscule knife, intending to silence him through intimidation. Certainly, it's an amusing twist, with a towering, tattooed man terrified by a much smaller woman. Simultaneously, the notion that Ricardo would be so terrified for his life that he would flee struck me as absurd, especially considering he could easily alert any police department searching for Amelia Peek. Am I perhaps overanalyzing this?
Meanwhile, Charlie scrutinizes the murder scene alongside Otto. She notices that the descaler has been moved from its original position, and Otto reveals that he repaired the door, implying that someone replaced the handle. Leveraging her uncanny ability to detect lies, Charlie clears Otto as a suspect. However, when Charlie inadvertently reveals the adoption rent control scheme, Otto admits, "Had I known that, I would have killed her." Charlie heads to the bodega, where the owner, Abdul, confirms selling the suspect door handle but regrets his inability to recall the buyer due to prosopagnosia.
Nonetheless, Kate's journey is far from smooth. Returning to the apartment, she discovers Otto showing it to a potential tenant, as Anne, overwhelmed by grief following Maddy's demise, has decided to vacate. (I respect her decision, but the thought of voluntarily surrendering a $640 three-bedroom in New York physically pains me.) In a panic, Kate urges Anne to marry her immediately. Though Anne remains unconvinced, Kate rushes out to procure the necessary paperwork. This gives Charlie the perfect opportunity to intervene and confide her suspicions to Maddy's grandmother: Kate intends to marry Anne to murder her and inherit the apartment. (Honestly, who wouldn't be tempted?) When Kate returns, Anne informs her of everything, but she refuses to believe it. Kate insists that Charlie is insane, urging Anne to go to the laundry room while she deals with Charlie herself. Clearly, this can only escalate to conflict, yet Charlie seems oblivious to the peril she's in as she puffs on her vape on the balcony. Before Charlie can even complete her "you're cooked" Columbo-esque monologue, Kate shoves her over the railing—or so it seems.
Just kidding, of course. Charlie has devised a plan with her tap-dancing firefighter neighbor, Micky—this episode introduces numerous new characters. Micky has set up an inflatable cushion beneath the window. Now, a couple of points to consider. Firstly, Kate's actions are once again sloppy. Attempting to murder Charlie in broad daylight invites numerous witnesses! Secondly, Charlie could have easily fallen differently, potentially impaling herself on wrought iron, making this a perilous maneuver. Nonetheless, it's an entertaining moment, especially when Anne and her lawyer emerge, revealing their involvement in the charade. "You're so fucked," Anne tells Kate, a reference that warrants revisiting 'Michael Clayton' if you've missed it. Despite the triumphant final act, the episode concludes on a somber note, with Anne reciting "Dirge Without Music" to Charlie and vacating her apartment. Unfortunately, the obnoxious tenant Otto was showing the apartment to is here to stay. On a brighter note, so is Charlie, who may have finally found the community she's been seeking.
