Barry
Monroe Fuches’ epic fake out on Barry HBO Season 3 Episode 6
Second chances are overrated, given enough time you would just do the same thing anyway. As proven with Monroe Fuches’ untimely last call on Barry tonight. Redemption and nostalgia are short-lived pools to “dip your toes in.” Life is pre-destined to repeat.
This Barry Season 3 Episode 6 review and recap contains major spoilers for “710N”.
The pedal went from zero to a 100 on tonight’s Barry opener. Monroe Fuches was struck down by a bullet in the chest mid-sentence after informing a biker gang of the culprit (Barry Berkman) behind their brother’s murder.
In one of the most epic fake outs in a long time on television, it appeared Monroe Fuches was unceremoniously dead. No grand finale, no final monologue. Just down for the count in the desert as a result of his own thirst for revenge. Irony, you could say.
The sixth episode moved forward like nothing had happened briefly, until a Mexican family recovered Monroe Fuches and nursed him back to health. Just like his ‘paradise’ in Chechnya before it, Fuches was brought to a goat farm.
The owner of the farm even told Fuches his daughter had taken a liking to Fuches… And he’d told her that Fuches seemed like a ‘good man’. The ultimate second chance served on a sliver platter.
“Abide by the signs God gives you”
Monroe Fuches (Stephen Root) on Barry Season 3 Episode 6 “710N”. Photograph by Merrick Morton/ HBO
One newspaper headline about a former “man child” acting teacher rescuing an army vet was all it took for Monroe Fuches to have an instant change of heart. Fuches stole a car from the family who saved him and called the father of deceased Detective Janice Moss with “information about who killed his daughter.”
Even after facing death head on and getting a third chance at redemption, Fuches couldn’t help but throw away his second chance. Thinking the sign God was giving him was to stick to the plan against Barry, not to move on with his life in peace.
No matter how many times Fuches is thrown a life line, he just circles back to his original destiny.
Nostalgia is Best Lived in the Past
Bill Hader as Barry Berkman on Barry Season 3 Episode 6 “710N”. Photograph by Merrick Morton/ HBO
Meanwhile, an invite to reunite with his old army buddies was all it took for Barry to forget acting almost altogether. Nostalgia had Barry racing across town while being shot at on a motorbike, just to relive his past one more time.
All signs were pointing to just forgo the meeting, maybe even go into hiding and formulate a plan. But Barry Berkman walked right into a trap with beignets in hand. Only to find the sauce had been casually poisoned in what he had perceived to be a safe zone.
He’d let his rose colored glasses of nostalgia let his guard down. Just as Monroe Fuches had alerted him prior with Gene Cousineau, there is no going back.
Sally Reed’s Exodus: From Critical Acclaim Cancellation to Commercial Slop
Sarah Goldberg as Sally Reed on Barry Season 3 Episode 6 “710N”. Photograph by Merrick Morton/ HBO
Sally Reed’s TV baby ‘Joplin‘ was cancelled despite its high critical acclaim based on an algorithm. On tonight’s Barry, Reed was asked to help the show that replaced her. Such commercial slop that its representative can only describe what they want through a series of noises.
Reed will accept the job and go full circle, disillusioned with the industry. The size of the paycheck now the deciding factor since the audience she craved abandoned her. Just like Barry and Fuches before her, Sally Reed winds up in the exact same place she would have been originally, just a bit worse off.
Gene Cousineau’s redemption tour… Next?
Annie Eisner (Laura San Giacomo) angry at Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler) on Barry Season 3. Photograph by Merrick Morton/ HBO
Gene Cousineau’s guilt made him offer ex girlfriend Annie Eisner his full paycheck for a once in a lifetime gig… A TV series on his acting class technique meant to fully rehab his image to the masses.
Just how long until Cousineau starts to get bitter and old habits die hard? Probably not way off. It’s destiny. Trying to sidestep like Cousineau is doing will never lead to an escape.
Barry Season 2 Episode 6 Review: Tonight’s action packed Barry episode was a stunner, especially the high octane, surreal, yet comical motorbike chase scene. Superb television.
More Barry Season 3 Coverage
– Be sure discuss Barry Season 3 Episode 6 in our new HBO’s Barry Forum! The sixth episode will be available on-demand and HBO Max starting Monday.
– Read Barry Season 3 Early Review: Bill Hader’s best acting work ever! Truly a great season for co-creators Alec Berg and Bill Hader!
– Relive important Los Angeles moments with our Barry Season 3 Episode 3 recap and Season 2’s Cristobal / NoHo Hank standoff in our Barry Season 2 Finale recap