Sunny Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Joey Sakamoto

Critic’s Rating: 3.8 / 5.0

3.8

If it talks like a duck and walks like a duck, then it’s probably not a robot trudging through a dark forest unless it’s Sunny.

After the intense events of the previous episode, we learned a few things about Suzie’s journey.

First, the yakuza definitely knew where Suzie and her family lived.

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

Secondly, we’re pretty sure she was lucky not to be home when they arrived.

Finally, we know that Suzie and company have to get moving because things are getting dangerous.

To mirror Suzie’s sentiments in Sunny Season 1 Episode 5, they have no answers.

Related: Sunny Season Premiere Review: Rashida Jones is a Force Among Bots, Blood, and Bad Booze

And she said a mouthful there.

However, as far as episodes go, this one was lacking in a few areas.

Sunny Sees Its Pace Decline Despite An Insane Amount Of Unanswered Questions

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

Up until now, every episode has been one crazy, wild ride after another.

From Suzie trying to cope with her loss through booze to investigating her husband’s secrets, the series has been one epic or hilarious moment after another.

But what is all too common, with even the best shows, is the dreaded decline in pace.

It can happen to even your favorite, most award-winning show.

When a series hits the middle of a season, especially a debut season, the story can lose momentum.

This is typical for when a story transitions from where a plot started to where it is going.

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

In Sunny’s case, that involves tip-toeing through a dark forest in the middle of the night.

Unlike every episode before, the plot in “Joey Sakamoto” didn’t move the story along.

Suzie and Sunny are far from any answers or clues about what to do next.

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At the very least, they’ve managed to get off the grid by stranding themselves in a wide-open expanse of endless trees.

However, one thing fans of the series can count on is that Rashida Jones will continue to deliver a master class in balancing a portrayal between comedy, drama, and thriller.

Mixxy Is Either A Friend With A Big Heart Or A Not-So-Subtle Agent Of Subterfuge

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

Although, we wouldn’t say nothing came from Sunny Season 1 Episode 5.

Even though the story barely moved an inch, we got a little insight into Mixxy.

In Sunny’s words, Mixxy always tries too hard to be Suzie’s friend.

And we would have to agree.

After watching her actions and what she said in this episode, we’re also starting to have questions about Mixxy.

At first, there wasn’t much of a connection between Suzie and Mixxy beyond bartender and patron.

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

Things only changed when Suzie inquired about the mysterious “Dark Manual.”

And we know that’s something Mixxy is familiar with since that was the reason Suzie tracked her down after their initial meeting.

Sure, it was a little strange that Mixxy took it upon herself to help Suzie so directly by taking her to meet her friend with “Dark Manual” connections.

Related: Sunny Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Mmmm, Hinoki

We just assumed she was taking pity on Suzie after the widow confessed her losses to the bartender.

But after escaping robot fights and yakuza thug beatings in a bathhouse, we have to ask why Mixxy is sticking around.

Danger seems to follow Suzie wherever she goes, and the more danger there is, the less likely Mixxy is to go anywhere.

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

This Apple TV+ series is slowly pulling at the web of lies weaved by Masa and all of his secrets.

Sunny May Be From Sakamoto Hands, But She May Want To Steer Clear Of This Family Of Liars

It seems like secrets were the Sakamoto family’s bread and butter.

Several brief flashbacks show that Masa was not the fantastic husband and father we thought he was.

We now know that Suzie’s late husband wasn’t as meticulous as we were led to believe.

He showed up late and wasted to his son’s play.

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

I’m not trying to pass judgment on anyone, but the writing was on the walls.

It would make sense that Suzie would only want to reminisce about the good times after losing her family.

Still, we can’t help but think she has been living with rose-colored glasses on.

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Drinking is typically a form of escape, and Noriko mentioned it was an ongoing thing for Suzie.

However, we can trust Noriko about as far as we can throw her.

She is probably where Masa learned how to be such a good liar.

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

Because who is Masa’s birth father?

Is he a member of the yakuza?

Do the Sakamotos have criminal ties that go all the way to the top?

Initially, it seemed like Masa was leading a Mr. And Mrs. Smith situation like the Donald Glover series.

Like Suzie, we aren’t sure if there was anything real about their life and marriage together.

Three May Be A Lot More Than Company Considering Suzie Is Surrounded By Characters With Questionable Intent

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

I can’t help but feel that at the heart of those secrets is Sunny.

As the titular character, we know the home bot isn’t going anywhere.

But more to the point, that she was given to Suzie right after Masa’s supposed death.

Related: Sunny Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Sticky

As great and hilarious as Sunny is, she’s likely not what she seems.

In the few other moments that we’ve seen other home bots, none have been quite as outspoken.

It’s as if Sunny was explicitly programmed to keep improving her knowledge base.

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

Her interactions with Mixxy and Suzie have proven that she is capable of multiple human emotions.

Did you see how quickly she snapped back when Mixxy lied about encouraging Sunny to keep the bird?

What the hell was that about?

They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

But which, if either, is hiding ulterior motives?

Sunny has been by Suzie’s side the entire time, trying to do everything she can to help her.

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

Still, things could be hidden within the robot’s protocol that she doesn’t even know about.

Then there is Mixxy, played by annie the clumsy, who, by the end of “Joey Sakamoto,” managed to find her family’s farm for safety.

But are Suzie and Sunny really safe after following this person who was a stranger less than a week ago?

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Suzie has already lost her family, is in the process of losing her sanity, and could lose the little bit of friendship she’s somehow found in all this madness.

Time will only tell who she can trust and where she can turn.

The only thing that should be on viewers’ minds now is what Sunny has planned and why she kept Hime’s fake pinky finger!

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

There are so many questions, and not a single one has been answered yet, but I love this adrenaline-rush of an insane story!

Do you have suspicions about Mixxy as well?

If Sunny is meant for a darker purpose, what could it be?

Drop a comment below to let us know, and join me again when I review the next episode of Sunny!

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