Anna Pigeon Season 1, Episode 8, “The Death Grin” Spoilers Ahead
After “There’s Always a Road,” the next two episodes of Anna Pigeon that followed have been slightly underwhelming in how they’ve focused more on the park emergency as opposed to catching up with the characters. However, “The Death Grin” gives us some more substantial material that not only focuses on our titular character, but also explores the different relationships we’re presented with.
Anna Pigeon isn’t a romance, so I’m not exactly expecting the same formula I’d expect from the genre, but I do hope that we aren’t pushed and pulled too drastically from one direction to another. I can stomach a love triangle when teenagers and younger people are involved, but it’s always way too jarring amongst adults when we should know better. Thankfully, “The Death Grin” makes an interesting point that this show won’t be dabbling with one, and that I respect.
For starters, putting aside Anna’s arc with both Jesse and Fredrick, I loved the ending with Crystle Lightning’s Frieda asking out Nikki Hallow’s Christina because she doesn’t want to waste any more time or be afraid. And we already lost one sapphic relationship in the pilot episode, so I hope that when we see more of these two, we can actually see them last and be happy. Their interactions were sweet throughout, and a clear contrast to Anna’s troubles because sometimes, people can just go for it, without all the walls in between.
And then there’s Anna. I like the idea of her and Fredrick, but I almost wish it was shown to us in the beginning as opposed to giving us moments with Jesse first. It’s not hard to see why Anna would be so hesitant in relationships because she clearly blames herself for not having all the pieces of Zach’s death together, but that’s also not an excuse to juggle people. But what the episode does best is that it allows her to confront Jesse honestly, in the same way she talked to Fredrick.
In terms of writing, it’s admirable that Anna isn’t pretending like she’s okay or that she’s ready for a committed relationship. We know she isn’t, and that much is completely understandable. She doesn’t need to be. She just needs to be honest with herself, and as much as she barricades herself with walls, at least in this regard, she’s fully transparent about what she wants and with the people who need to hear it.
She isn’t giving anyone false hopes or jumping headfirst into something without being fully ready for it. There’s also no doubt in my mind that at some point, we’ll get to the position where she’s ready for something that isn’t just casual, and at this point, her choice needs to be crystal clear. She can’t keep going back and forth between people because then, it wouldn’t make sense at all. Then, it wouldn’t feel right for the men or her character.
Who Shoots Jesse in Anna Pigeon Episode 8? Will He Be Okay?
Talk about another cliffhanger! The last thing I expected from this episode was Jesse getting injured, but at the same time, given how the show’s dabbled with high stakes, I should’ve expected it.
Interestingly, in the books, Anna doesn’t end up with Jesse, but it’s still unclear if the show will introduce the man she does end up marrying or if they’ll replace him with one of the guys on the show. But at the same time, I highly doubt the show would kill off Jesse and give Anna another form of grief that perpetually haunts her this quickly. That’d be too much for a show like this, and especially in its first season. Still, we’ll have to wait until next week to find out, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what happens to him, and if he’ll be okay.
What are your thoughts on Anna Pigeon Season 1, Episode 8, “The Death Grin?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Michelle Faye/USA Network