With Mike in prison, the family has sort of gone their own ways. The kids each have different priorities in terms of jobs and personal lives. Denis, Sophie, and Jean have now started to finalize episode cuts for the documentary.
The disagreement between Sophie and Denis over what scenes to include from the set has led to an intense discussion. It is clear that they are at opposite ends of the spectrum, with one advocating for more scenes and the other wanting fewer. Jean, the mediator, is trying to help them reach an agreement so that they can all work together harmoniously. ..
Mike’s time inside the prison is difficult, as he has to make deals with inmates in order to keep them safe. His family is also struggling, as they have to sell things like furniture and antiquities in order to keep the trial going. Ultimately, the house is sold.
Clayton is moving up the order in terms of hierarchy for Mike when he considers something important among the children. Todd, after a wild night of drinking and partying, forgets to put money into Mike’s account. Hence, he almost loses the protection of the gang as he isn’t able to pay for stamps. But Clay comes to the rescue and saves the day. He also lets out the news that Becky, his partner, is pregnant. The elation does not last as the decision on the appeal is soon announced.
The Defense’s plea for a new trial is rejected. The only avenue now left is the NC Supreme Court. At least another year in jail – more, if the appeal doesn’t go his way – is tough to take. It remains to be seen how Mike handles the bad news in prison.
The documentary “The Staircase” premiered in France to great acclaim and enthusiasm. Sophie, the “beating heart” of the project by Jean, is relieved. She decides to write to Margaret and sends her a copy of the finished documentary. To everyone’s surprise, Sophie visits Mike in jail, and Larry, Peterson’s next-door neighbor, goes through the autopsy photos. ..
The Episode Review
This new episode of the documentary presents keen insights into the creative process behind the original documentary. Vincent’s presence amongst the cast is a welcome boost to the authenticity of the process’ representation.
In the HBO show, we do not see much of the aftermath of the trial. The children went on with their lives, but the audience always wondered how they fared. It is safe to say not too well, but at least they are still together in this long-drawn-out fight.
In this episode, Juliet Binoche plays a more central role and it is safe to assume that it will continue for at least another two episodes. Although the creators have not totally dismissed Kathleen’s importance in the narrative at this point – she still comes and goes in flashbacks, like a person’s memory – her role is somewhat secondary. ..
The documentary’s shift in focus now points to the legal process that each of the family’s members went through during the legal process. We did not see the mention of Sophie in the original documentary as maybe she wasn’t part of Mike’s life then. But now, things stand changed.
Binoche is a talented actress who brings a graceful and deep performance to her roles. Her expressive eyes do a lot of the work in her performances, and she has great chemistry with actor Firth in the upcoming episodes of “The Staircase.” The show has taken a break from its riveting drama to focus on the changing dynamics of how we view characters in public light. ..
