Black Rabbit Recap: Sweaty’s Not a Good Look for You

by

Jake Friedken didn’t initially want anything to do with The Black Rabbit, but his older brother, Vince, slowly convinced him anyway. The second episode of the series shifts from a future scene to a flashback, revealing a younger, slightly tidier Vince – complete with a mullet and mustache – trying to pitch his idea to Jake. Vince explains that restaurants can be like nightclubs for grown-ups, a sentiment Jake finds amusing but understands the meaning of. While Jake is hesitant to leave his current job managing Wes for this risky new project, Vince’s vision of a place they can both own and control – “something that’s ours again” – starts to win him over. It’s clear Jake is giving in to the chaotic journey that’s about to unfold.

The first two episodes of *Black Rabbit* play out like a single, extended introduction. Within that time, actors Bateman and Law convincingly portray brothers, overcoming initial doubts about their casting by showcasing the complex and damaged emotional lives they share.

Back in the present, Jake has finally made his older brother’s vision a reality. The group is celebrating a fantastic review in the New York Times, declaring the Black Rabbit the most popular club in town, and comparing it to the wild parties thrown by Mick Jagger. It’s a slightly old-fashioned reference, considering the club has a modern, 2011-style aesthetic and was created by a musician who hadn’t found success until middle age. But ultimately, it’s exactly the kind of atmosphere Vince had always imagined for this place.

Jake asks Roxy and Estelle if they’re ready for their second album, pretending the Pool Room project is a collaborative effort when it’s actually his own. It’s a common tactic – some leaders like to appear as ‘team players’ until real work or sacrifices are required. Then, they operate independently. Jake has always handled things himself, dealing with the fallout from his brother’s actions, and the Pool Room is entirely his own creation.

Jake, who’s 50, explains to Estelle while showing her the pool room that he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life running a bar. While it’s surprising Jude Law is 50, Estelle seems overly charmed by his comment, which feels a little forced. Jake quickly tries to appeal to Estelle’s desire to create something meaningful, asking for her help with a redesign just as she’s starting to question her relationship with Wes. Wes is currently enjoying his own success and isn’t very interested in what’s going on in Estelle’s life. This creates a somewhat flimsy foundation for a love triangle, but it highlights how money and success can sometimes prevent people from forming genuine connections.

The Friedken brothers’ plans hit a snag when they discover their mother’s house won’t generate the $300,000 profit they anticipated. Vince dramatically claims he’s ruined without the money and rushes off to try and win some at a private, high-stakes poker game. Meanwhile, Jake is upset by a negative social media post from Anna regarding a review, and his request for a loan from Val is flatly denied during their child’s back-to-school night – a particularly low point, considering his circumstances. It’s no surprise Jake echoes Vince’s desperation, claiming the Pool Room could instantly “double his income.” He tries to convince Val that this is a crucial opportunity to avoid financial ruin, but it begs the question: can promises be trusted when the person making them is self-deluded?

The introduction of Joe Mancuso perfectly illustrates the show’s tendency to swing between low-budget content and high-quality drama. Forrest Webber is excellent as Junior, though his portrayal sometimes feels like a caricature ripped from *The Sopranos* fan fiction. However, the gritty scene of Junior visiting his father’s office in a rundown bathhouse feels cheap and uninspired. A bright spot is Troy Kotsur’s performance as Joe; he’s a standout. The core conflict is typical gangster fare: Junior ignores Joe’s orders regarding the Friedken family, claiming he’s trying to establish himself as a powerful mob boss. But Joe quickly shuts down this posturing with a single, powerful look.

The $140,000 debt can’t be ignored, and the person owed is demanding immediate payment. Meanwhile, Junior and Babbitt receive a clue about Vince’s location and find him at a casino, where he’s becoming increasingly aggressive while gambling. This scene allows Bateman to showcase his character’s self-destructive tendencies through his signature sarcastic and anxious delivery. He also manages to make even a mundane setting exciting, culminating in an elevator confrontation where Junior corners Jake, cuts off his pinky finger, and threatens Jake’s daughter, Gen.

True to form, Vince keeps secrets until he’s backed into a corner. Desperate for money, he finally tells Jake the truth: he owes Junior $140,000 and Gen’s safety is at risk. Jake feels obligated to help Vince, so he approaches Mancuso and negotiates a payment plan of $20,000 per week until the debt is covered. Junior is frustrated that he won’t get to publicly embarrass the Friedkens, but Joe accepts the deal. However, Mancuso adds a significant condition: if a single payment is missed, he gets the Black Rabbit. Jake’s slightly arrogant protest annoys Joe, who responds by deliberately spilling hot coffee on him. These tense moments consistently showcase Troy Kotsur as a standout performer in the series.

The Friedken brothers are in a tighter financial spot than they thought, with their first payment due much sooner than expected and a cash flow problem on the horizon. At Jake’s urging, Roxy contacts Anna to discuss her dismissal and what happened afterward. When Anna reveals she was drugged and found unconscious in the VIP bathroom, Roxy promises to support her and seek justice, but they both understand that loyalty was never a priority for those involved. Ignoring wrongdoing was simply the cost of doing business from the start.

Read More

2025-09-18 15:55