Search Party
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Its been almost three years sinceSearch Partysseason two finale, Psychosis.
The show has moved to a new connection, HBO Max, but little else has changed.
Once were caught up, The Accused Woman offers a darker vision forSearch Partys future.
At the beginning of the episode, a shaved-head Dory says shes going to tell us the truth.
The thing is, Dorys truth means very little at this point.
Since season one, Dory has been driven by her inner conflict.
She became obsessed with Chantal when her own life felt stagnant.
She had an affair with Keith because her relationship with Drew was unfulfilling.
In The Accused Woman, its like she finally realizes how far shes strayed from the right thing.
Still, she doesnt think shes done anything wrong, shes simply mishandled her ambition.
Alia Shawkat does an impressive job settling into this new, cold and collected Dory.
She isnt flustered or nervous anymore and knows to ask for a lawyer.
Unlike her hallucinations of Keith last season, Aprils ghost doesnt inspire guilt; it moves Dory to action.
Its the first plan Dorys made in a long time that actually works.
Its almost like she thrives in this element of eternal chaos and distress.
Her gorgeous, smirking mugshot makes it seem like she was destined for this moment.
When a detective shows her photos of Keiths decomposing body, she looks away.
Dory only sees the reality she chooses to see, no matter what evidence there is to the contrary.
Maybe her old high school classmate isnt too far off when she insists that they both made it.
With that deep-red lipstick and amazing dress, maybe Dory has finally embraced that shes a bad person.
It also doesnt hurt that the cops dont have the entire story.
Chantal couldnt have tipped off the police, because she didnt know Keith was bludgeoned.
Then theres Elijah, Portias director, who absolutely seems like hes hiding something.
And even though Dory is thriving in these circumstances, Elliott, Portia, and Drew lack her resolve.
Elliott turns to Marc, but he cant even pretend to find comfort in his embrace.
While Dory thrives in chaos, it only heightens Elliotts and Portias greatest insecurities.
Drew seems to be the weakest link.
He can barely keep his cool over the phone when he has to act surprised over Dorys arrest.
And of course, after promising not to do anything, he tries to catch a flight to China.
As Dory walks past Drew with blood smeared all over her face, their differences are clear.
Its hard to say what any of these characters are capable of anymore.
Case Notes
Christine Taylor is so great as Gail.
I hope she continues to come to Dorys aid in this time of crisis.
I almost thought Drew would get away with running to China.
His seatmate seemed pretty nervous, and I thought thered be a last-minute switch.
But no, they all have to face the music.
I think April is still alive.
She can probably swim, right?
But Drew is right if April had called in the tip, they all wouldve been arrested.
Breaking a bars toilet on a Friday night is a smart revenge move.
