Spoiler alert: This post contains details from11.22.63episode Happy Birthday, Lee Harvey Oswald.
Read at your own risk.
Who better to break down the adventures of Jake Epping than the woman behind it all, right?
Credit: Sven Frenzel/Hulu
Thats why Bridget Carpenter, the showrunner of Hulus11.22.63, is writing weekly blogs.
Dear Constant Viewer,
Do you like surprise parties?
John Coles directed this episode with a keen eye for detail.
Lees job interview looked like part of the gathering storm.
That FBI agent waiting for Lee?
Its been six months since Jake missed seeing who took a shot at General Walker with a Carcano rifle.
Now, all he has is his surveillance of Oswald.
Jake knows Lee a little more now.
Hes been listening to him for years.
What is he listening for: ANYTHING.
Is Lee talking about Kennedy?
Is he ranting about political change?
Is he meeting with pro-Castro activists, is George de Mohrenschildt telling him to do something?
Jake hasnt heard anything for certain.
And part of that is because Jakes focus has shifted.
For the past six months, hes moved into Dekes house to care for Sadie.
(You dont think shed return to her kitchen after the day she had there, do you?)
No secrets between them anymore.
Jake knows how close he came to losing Sadie.
He knows how the Past works.
He believes that he can save JFK and get the girl.
So Jake continues to live two lives this time, with Sadie knowing everything.
He continues to make bets this time, to pay for Sadies hospital bills.
Sure, hes ignoring his own advice (bet small) but its just this once!
Hes hoping for a break.
Hes hoping that Bill will hear something on the tapes of Lee, anything.
Jake knows that he only has a few weeks left before the day.
Bill, Bill, Bill!
Can you blame him for falling in love with Marina?
Its not that he planned to betray Jake.
When Jake learns about Bills transgression, he has to consider is this the Past now?
Using Bill as an obstacle?
Jakes solution for handling Bill is upsetting, to say the least.
But he tells himself that its temporary.
Then it will all be okay.
Right, Constant Reader?
I still cannot believe that Cherry Jones is in our show.
Here, I am trying to match Marguerite Oswalds stern demeanor.
Heres the suburban home we used for Ruth Paines house.
Nice to include this little-discussed aspect of the Oswalds lives in our story.
We used the University of Toronto School of Dentistry for our insane asylum!
Check out the display case in the hallway.
Heres a shot of one of our secret weapons, Nick Searcy.
As rabid fans ofJustified, we were thrilled to cast him as Principal Deke Simmons.
George Mackay decorated Jake and Bills surveillance lair with doodles that Bill would have done while passing the time.
This is Bills portrait of Marguerite Oswald running for President (free chins for everyone!).
A shot from the monitor of James Franco rehearsing a violent scene but also finishing his lollipop.
Lastly, heres co-EP Brian Nelson with Lindsey Somers, our on-set medical consultant.
[Insert sound of record scratch here.]
What else can I tell you, Constant Viewer?
Our time together is growing short.
Ill think about it tomorrow.
Next week, maybe.
Until then,
Bridget
For more insight, follow Bridget on Twitter@BridgetCarpen12.
