
Jon Bernthal excels at portraying Mikey’s intense emotions – his frustration, restlessness, pain, and outbursts of anger. His powerful bar scene is both difficult to watch and award-worthy, and his moment of honesty with Sherri hints at a newfound self-awareness. However, this portrayal largely feels familiar. Each return of Bernthal’s character feels like a challenge to the idea that his earlier, more hopeful moment was truly meaningful. The show continues to emphasize Mikey’s anger, and I wish they would allow Bernthal to showcase a wider emotional range. Both Bernthal and Moss-Bachrach deserve credit for their writing debut with this episode, but a more nuanced approach to the character would be beneficial.