Mr. Mercedes Season 1 Episode 8 Review: From the Ashes

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Brady makes a lot of plans, but he doesn't always follow through.

Case in point would be the meat he prepared for Jerome's dog still packed away in his freezer.

As he learned on Mr. Mercedes Season 1 Episode 8, you cannot lead a horse to water and force him to drink if you aren't going to expect the horse to also get the munchies and eat whatever is lying around.

Tastes Good - Mr. Mercedes Season 1 Episode 8

That was easily one of the most horrific death scenes that has ever been on television.

All of the circumstances in Deborah's day were terrible. She was watching the explosion on the news, and a part of her had to be wondering if Brady might have been involved.

She was trying to get him to come upstairs to watch with her. Who doesn't want to watch all the local gore together like a family.

Always thinking of her boy, she thought, why not cook him dinner instead.

When Food Goes Bad - Mr. Mercedes Season 1 Episode 8

Every move she was making after she grabbed that package of meat felt like it took an hour. Having never killed anything myself, I had no idea how little of the poison she'd have to ingest to become sick.

She made it to the basement door to call Brady for dinner and the whole way across the house again before she started belching.

Honestly, I thought maybe she didn't eat enough to get too terribly ill. Maybe it would be a warning to Brady that he needed to be more careful.

It's About to Begin - Mr. Mercedes Season 1 Episode 8

Except the thing is, Brady doesn't care about his mother. Not like the rest of us care about our mothers.

Tortured families like theirs don't play by the same rules. By the time Brady discovered Deborah had eaten his deadly concoction, she was in the death throes. He refused to call 911 because he'd be caught.

His lame attempts at forcing liquid down her throat were cruel. The way she was seizing and spewing blood was horrific.

And when she finally died, it was like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. Cleaning the kitchen in his skivvies, I half expected him to come sliding out of the kitchen singing Old Time Rock n Roll like Tom Cruise.

Brady didn't even have plans to bury his mom. The sign of a broken mind would be keeping mommy in her bed so you can do some snuggles with her while slapping away the flies.

Watching His Handiwork - Mr. Mercedes Season 1 Episode 8

Ironically, Robi was still keeping Brady on his plans to be the next store manager. The new word around the store was they were going to make it into a superstore, creating a coffee lobby and all kinds of things to keep customers in the store longer. 

Brady doesn't need to be near customers any longer than he already is. He's breaking. He even confided too much information in Lou, making me worry she might be on his kill radar now.

But it doesn't take long for Robi to realize he's placed his bet on the wrong horse. 

You know what you are, Brady? You're not working out. That's what you are.

Robi

And over in Hodges world, he's surrounded by the ladies who are worrying about him.

After the death of Janey, Pete wanted to know everything. Suddenly, he realizes his old friend wasn't yanking his chain about the possibility the Mercedes Killer is still haunting him after all.

Shit, Bill, I'm sorry. I know how hard you tried to tell us before, and I'm sorry. Truly.

Pete

It seems like too little too late to me, but after such a great loss, Hodges just needs people on his side to help him get the son of a bitch.

If Ida had any skills, she'd help. She's always there to pour him a drink or give him a muffin. She's good at reminding him he's not a lost cause.

Vindication Doesn't Taste Sweet - Mr. Mercedes Season 1 Episode 8

Holly is becoming better at popping up than Jerome ever was. Because of her condition, she has no filter. She does what she wants when she wants, and if she wants to spend time with Hodges, she'll be staying with him for a while please and thank you.

She's very smart, and together she and Jerome get into her aunt Olivia's computer, discovering horrifying files that were planted onto the machine of the screams from the mayhem caused by her car. 

They're getting closer and closer to tying the computer to Brady.

Will he still be working at Supreme Electronix by the time the connection is made? 

How crazy are things going to get from here? Brady's eyes got moist twice during this hour. His mother is dead, and he'll be carrying on all kinds of great conversations with her, I'm sure.

Her death should be a catalyst to make him even more insane. He has nothing to lose. Nobody to protect but himself. If he's going to try to make her proud before they meet again, he's ready to go big at the opening of that new space he walked through with Robi a while back.

Or will Hodges and his team catch him first?

I'm ready for the wild ride. Are you?

From the Ashes Review

Editor Rating: 4.75 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 (6 Votes)

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.

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Mr. Mercedes Season 1 Episode 8 Quotes

I've been a cop for 35 years, and I know all about protocol, and there is a time to dump it in the shitter. This is one of those times.

Hodges

Shit, Bill, I'm sorry. I know how hard you tried to tell us before, and I'm sorry. Truly.

Pete