Patrick Dempsey's return to network TV is a chilling descent into a double life, but is it a masterful portrayal or a tragic misstep?
Prepare for a McTwist you won't see coming! Patrick Dempsey, beloved by many as the charming Dr. Derek Shepherd from "Grey's Anatomy," is back on our screens in Fox's new series, "Memory of a Killer." However, this time, he's trading in his stethoscope for a much darker profession. In this gripping premiere, Dempsey takes on the role of Angelo Flannery, a seemingly ordinary photocopier salesman who secretly operates as a high-priced hitman.
Executive producer Aaron Zelman shared with TVLine that Dempsey's decision to join the project was largely driven by the opportunity to portray a character so drastically different from his previous iconic role. "I think that was a big reason for his interest in this," Zelman explained.
Angelo masterfully navigates two distinct worlds, keeping his violent profession a complete secret from both his mob "family" in Manhattan, led by his lifelong friend Dutch (played by Michael Imperioli), and his unsuspecting family in the suburbs, including his pregnant daughter Maria (Odeya Rush). The sheer meticulousness with which he maintains this facade begs the question: How does one possibly compartmentalize such a life?
"In addition to being a bit of an action thriller, this show is a character exploration," Zelman elaborated. "What kind of person would be capable of living such a complete double life? We were fascinated by that question."
But here's where it gets complicated: The only individual aware of Angelo's clandestine activities is his brother, who is residing in a memory care facility battling Alzheimer's. This non-verbal confidant serves as Angelo's sole sounding board, a reality that is undeniably heartbreaking for both men. Yet, a nagging question lingers: could these seemingly safe confessions to his brother inadvertently expose Angelo's secrets?
"It's a great question," Zelman acknowledged. "You have to be careful who you tell your secrets to. This is certainly a concern that some people in Angelo's orbit have concerns about, which is something you learn about further into the season."
And this is the part most people miss: The premiere throws Angelo into a whirlwind of escalating danger. He discovers that one of his recent assignments involved the brother of a powerful crime family captain, Carl Mosher, leading him to believe Mosher is out for revenge. This paranoia intensifies when he spots a familiar truck near his daughter's home. To make matters worse, the man responsible for his wife's hit-and-run death, who had previously threatened Maria, has been released from prison.
The Mosher situation ignites the first spark of conflict between Angelo and Dutch. Angelo feels Dutch should have informed him about the hit on a crime boss's brother. Dutch, in turn, warns Angelo against pursuing Mosher, stating, "You cross me on this, you're on your own."
"We found it to be a really compelling dynamic between these two," Zelman said of their relationship. "They've known each other since childhood, but there are all kinds of questions there about what how they came to know each other. You learn more about those circumstances as the season goes on. You'll learn what each character feels they owe the other, and you'll question how much each character can trust the other."
Despite Dutch's warning, Angelo proceeds to confront and kill Mosher in broad daylight, only to join Maria and her husband for brunch as if nothing out of the ordinary occurred. That's when chaos erupts: a sniper targets Maria from across the street, and Angelo narrowly saves her from being shot. In a desperate attempt to apprehend the attacker, Angelo pursues the mystery hitman with only a broken bottle, but the assailant vanishes. What an eventful day!
How "Memory of a Killer" handles Alzheimer's:
Beyond the thrilling plot, Angelo begins to notice concerning symptoms mirroring his brother's struggle with Alzheimer's. These include forgetting crucial details like his apartment's security password and, in a particularly awkward moment, accidentally storing his gun in the refrigerator.
Regarding the show's portrayal of Alzheimer's, Zelman emphasized its importance: "It was very important to us, and Patrick as well, that we show this in a way that is accurate. We have a neurologist who is a consultant for the show, and we run all of the the dialogue — anything that involves doctors explaining things — by her, and it all checks out. Making sure that the symptoms themselves are portrayed accurately is also very important to us."
What to expect from Gina Torres in Episode 2:
Angelo's plate is already overflowing, and his challenges are set to multiply in the next episode. Episode 2 introduces Gina Torres as FBI Agent Linda Grant. Given Torres's formidable presence in any role, it's safe to assume Angelo is in for a significant challenge.
"Look, she's an FBI agent, and our protagonist — or whatever you want to call him, an anti-hero — is someone who regularly kills people and breaks the law," Aaron Zelman reminded us. "As for Agent Grant, it's unclear what game she may be playing, but she seems to be sniffing out that there's something off about Angelo. She's a dog with a bone, she's not going to let this go easily. She's going to be one of the many thorns in Angelo's side all throughout the season."
So, was "Memory of a Killer" a bullseye, or did it miss the mark? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Did the premiere hit all the right notes for you, or were there aspects that fell flat? Share your opinions and grade the episode in the comments below!
