'The Punisher' Episode 4: 'Resupply'

So, yeah, it's been a while since we've discussed "The Punisher" and I figured it was time to get back on the ball here.  I kind of remember what was happening.  I was worried that I was going to have a hard time keeping up, but this episode is largely self contained and doesn't really have any connection to the overall plot.

The episode keeps it simple, as both Frank and Homeland Security are gunning for a cache of weapons (see what I did there?) that are being transported by a crime syndicate.

At first I wasn't sure if this was some plot thread that carried over and was some piece of the puzzle. It occurred to me later that Frank Castle could just want the guns because he's Frank Castle.  The episode's title reinforces this and it works well enough, so it doesn't really matter either way.

Having the two parties go after the same target could be seen as a contrived coincidence, but it works as it gives the episode focus, even though we're following three groups of characters over the course of the episode.

The third group focuses on Curtis Hoyle and his attempt to help rehabilitate one of the suffering vets in his group.  It's not going well.  The guy's built a foxhole in his backyard and is eager to go back out into the field.  He even goes so far as to attempt to sign on with a private military group.  It might've worked had Curtis not torpedoed the effort.

My first thought was that the guy could get a non-combat centric job in the organization.  You know, split the difference.  Billy actually does bring up this idea, but Lewis is dismissive.  You'd think that Billy would point out that there are other jobs besides "janitor" that could be done here, but that idea never comes up.   Between his declining mental state and his newfound grudges against two of the recurring supporting characters, I don't see this guy remaining a good guy for much longer.  It doesn't seem to be a question of if he'll crack, but when. 

I don't doubt that this story will have ramifications later on, but right now it does seem a bit peripheral.  Still, it'll be interesting to see how the show ties it all together.

In the meantime, we get to see Frank rough up criminals.  The more impressive showing is obviously his showdown with the car thieves, but he does get to interrogate Turk in the show's opening scene.  It was an unexpected appearance, but it worked and I found it entertaining. 

It's odd how Turk keeps running afoul of the Netflix MCU vigilantes.  He's like the mirror of Claire Temple.  Where she runs into them and becomes friends, he seems to have a rockier go of it.  Still, he lives to see another day, so his charm seemed to have worked to some extent. 

It was good to get back to this show.  The characters are all entertaining and the cast continues to shine.  Having this be a "one and done" worked for me, but it also gives viewers a break from the "myth arc" and focus on Frank facing off against criminals.  There wasn't much in the way of plot advancement, but there was quite a bit of character progression.  Lewis, Madani, and Micro are all changed by the episode's end.  It should allow for interesting progression as we move deeper into the season.

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