WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Dope Thief episode 5.Dope Thiefepisode 5, “Fear of God”, brings the gritty crime drama series to even darker depths as Ray, Manny, and undercover DEA agent Mina all spiral towards hitting rock bottom. With only three episodes left ofDope Thiefseason 1, and with no confirmation yet from Apple that there will be a season 2, it’s safe to sum up the entire series at this point in a single word –struggle. The hopelessness that surrounds nearly every main character makes it an increasingly tough watch despite its funny bouts of banter between Ray, Manny, and theperfectly-cast Theresa.
Dope Thiefepisode 5reveals more backstory about Ray and his father, Bart (Ving Rhames), highlighting the oppressive and authoritative dynamics of the tough streets that Ray was raised on. It seems like everyone who was connected to Ray and Manny’s fake DEA raid gone wrong is now facing severe consequences, setting up what should be an even bloodier ending.
Some clever narrative devices – such as Son’s cryptic message to Ray on a DEA-recorded phone call and the marked $2 bills with codes written on them – keepDope Thiefengaging after five episodes. A handful of its newer developments, however, likeMichelle’s eagerness to trade professional boundaries with romantic ones with Ray, mixed with some choppy editing and tonally repetitive scenes, make me nervous about whether the serieswill be able to stick the landing in its upcoming finale.
Dope Thief’s Sprawling & Unpredictable Developments Risk Making Some Storylines & Characters Too Thin
The Series Has Lost Its Sharp Focus On The Main Characters & Conflict
I appreciate thatDope Thiefhas been full of surprises throughout its first four episodes. That said, episode 5’s unexpected twists didn’t quite satisfy as much asepisode 4’s off-the-rails Cyruswith his gang of clowns and Molotov cocktails. Rather than sharply moving the central plot of Ray and Manny after stealing all that cash and drugs,Dope Thiefmeanders in its middle episodes and risks losing the tension it had successfully builtfollowing itstwo-episode premiere.
All signs were heading towards Ray and Michelle becoming romantically involved in time. Still,episode 5 really jumped the gun on their romantic development, which undermines Michelle’s strong-willed character. Ray has a lot going on in his life beyond eluding the DEA and a dangerous biker gang, which is how Michelle was brought into the fold in the first place by Theresa to get Bart out of prison. It’s not hard to keep up with all that Ray is dealing with but the sheer volume of his day-to-day activities has got to push him over the edge eventually.
Manny’s role has significantly reduced from being a series co-star to someone Ray has to monitor and look out for since his addiction is consuming his character.
Manny’s role has significantly reduced from being a series co-star to someone Ray has to monitor and look out for since his addiction is consuming his character. This is disappointing considering how much I enjoyed Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura’s dynamic in earlier episodes. Meanwhile,Mina has essentially become her own protagonistand has some of the bleakest moments of the series, especially after finding out that Jack was secretly working with the Alliance. Compared to Ray, it’s much easier to root for Mina to succeed.
While powerful and raw, Mina’s scene on the phone with a suicide hotline feels out of place. This and Michelle’s character regression into being Ray’s naive love interest ultimately made episode 5 feel out of focus. Worst of all, Ray absurdly allows Manny’s 12-step recovery program to bring them back to Amish country near the scene of the crime. These tragicDope Thiefcharacters aren’t designed to be followed anywhere, andepisode 5 drags viewers into all sorts of messy directions.
Ray’s Various Flaws & Conceited Attitude Make Him An Increasingly Unappealing Protagonist
He’s A Man Without A Plan Who Selfishly Endangers People Around Him
Ray becomes increasingly frustrating as a protagonist – for someone in a world of trouble, he always seems to have some kind of half-baked, empty advice based on a fabricated sense of control.He has been saved by good fortune or dumb luck multiple times, which is starting to feel gimmicky after Bart comes out of nowhere wearing an ankle monitor to kill a sicario. What’s most stunning about Ray is how he has not once considered handing back the money or drugs, which are still locked inside Son’s house.
It’s incredible howRay has no plan whatsoever, considering what he’s up against. It should be helpful to have Bart more involved to pick up Ray’s slack in future episodes. He was already stabbed in prison because of the problem that Ray started but appears to still be loyal to his son.
Ray is a victim of environmental circumstances, just like everyone around him inDope Thief, but he’s also a product of his horrendous decision-making.
I understand that Ray is a victim of environmental circumstances, just like everyone around him inDope Thief, but he’s also a product of his horrendous decision-making. It’s difficult to root for someone who constantly makes poor decisions that place innocent people, people he claims he loves, in danger. I’m stillwondering what Ray and Manny plan to do with the money. If that Amish scene tells us anything, it’s that neither of them has a clue.
The truth of Michelle’s pillow talk speech – about her perception of Ray as being a loving person trying to do the right thing – is written all over Ray’s face.Michelle herself called Ray a con-man earlier inDope Thiefepisode 5but still somehow has rapidly formed a childish, rose-tinted notion of Ray that he knows doesn’t exist.
This scene is effective in displaying howRay’s image and reality regarding himself are worlds apartwhile knowing, deep inside, everything he touches turns to poison. Michelle, who came off as whip-smart in earlier episodes, alarmingly misses this red flag, which is incredibly dangerous for her in future episodes ofDope Thief.
Dope Thief Episode 5
Dope Thief follows two lifelong friends from Philadelphia who impersonate DEA agents to commit a robbery, inadvertently stumbling upon a major narcotics corridor. The seemingly simple heist escalates into a critical situation, threatening their lives and unravelling their friendship against the backdrop of the East Coast drug trade.
