'The Punisher' Episode 6: 'The Judas Goat'

With Frank on the mend after the events of the preceding episode, this one turns from action and focuses more on quiet, character moments.  There are times where that's a detriment and it makes the Netflix shows feel like they're moving at a slow pace, but it works out rather well here.

The episode has more than a few scenes where characters are conversing at a table and it still manages to keep you engaged.  A good chunk of credit for that goes to the cast, who all present their characters as likable.  Where previous episodes had Frank and Micro constantly busting each other's chops, this one has them start to connect and have a real conversation. 

Billy Russo also gets a strong turn as we see him reinforce the bond that exists between fellow soldiers.  Like Micro, he too gets to have a heart to heart with Frank and it's another one of the episode's highlight scenes.  Barnes and Bernthal play well off each other and Russo's offer to help Frank seems genuine.   It just makes the episode's last minute reveal that much more poignant, though also somewhat intriguing.

Lewis also gets a prominent subplot, as his Vietnam vet buddy is revealed to be a fake.  In the wake of everything else that has gone wrong in his life as of late, he doesn't take it too well.  The ensuing skirmish ends rather brutally and shows that Curtis' instincts were right.  How this plays into the main arc has yet to be revealed.  Who knows, he might never cross paths with Frank and his role could just be to illustrate how Frank's story could have easily ended differently.  .

While this was a slower, quieter affair; this episode is starts to bring disparate plot threads together.  It should pay off as we move into the second half of the season.

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