Vinyl Season 1 Episode 7 Recap

Vinyl (2016-)

Created by:  Mick Jagger, Terence Winter, Rich Cohen, Martin Scorsese
Starring:   Bobby Cannavale, Olivia Wilde, Ray Romano, Juno Temple, James Jagger

HBO's '70s music scene series still hasn't lived up to its potential. The second episode, more than the first is reluctant to start the story proper. The latest episode gave us unnecessary flashbacks in an attempt to build backstory, when the show needs to progress the plot. The first and second episodes should have been combined into one hour long episode. Check out my Vinyl season 1 recaps.

Plot: 
Richie Finestra (Bobby Cannavale) is a New York record executive in 1973, endeavoring to sign the biggest and best talent.

Review: Episode 7 The King and I
This isn't a bad episode, thought not without faults that multiply as the episode goes forward, but unfortunately it comes in too late.

Richie and Zak are desperately trying to sign new acts while whittling down the payroll. The splicing of pseudo music videos works in this episode. It balance music, story, and feels like forward progress when many of the preceding episodes have been stagnant. As Jamie tells Scott, it's about the hustle. That's what this show should have been about. Now it's finally getting there, or so I thought. The first half of the episode is pretty good at least.

Richie is sober. I assume it's related to his wife leaving. The show is either giving us credit or doesn't care. I know I don't. Less focus on Richie's wife is a good thing.

Andrea is a good addition to the show.  She brings levity to ACR, and she's a character so far that isn't morose.

 American Century can't make pay roll so they're selling the company jet. Zak and Richie travel to Los Angeles to unload it. They fight, make up, and arrive. 

 After the sale, they plan to sign some L.A. talent. They get a lead on Elvis Presley, but Zak isn't impressed with what he sees. Richie wants to pursue it. Elvis's manager shuts that down.

Zak does some gratuitous wish fulfillment and loses all the money from the sale of the plane. I suppose that ends Zak's high and mighty attitude with Richie.

What are they setting up with Richie's number eighteen obsession? Zak didn't lose the money, Richie gambled it all away betting on eighteen. So much for his "know when to quit" gambling sentiments earlier. He's going to let Zak take the blame? It's unnecessary drama and this show doesn't know when to quit.