Vice Principals Recap: Gin

Vice Principals is as uneven as ever

Vice Principals returns after taking last weekend off for Labor Day with an episode which positions all the characters for the finale next week. “Gin” manages to be both an incredibly emotional and frustrating episode. It puts all the characters back to where they started with the exception of Belinda Brown, who appears to still be the punching bag of the series.

Each of the main characters manages to have their own arcs this week with Belinda Brown carrying the bulk of the storyline. After a picture perfect excursion to the aquarium with her family, Brown is feeling great about her current life. Yet when Dascious announces that the boys have decided to return to Philadephia with him, she finally feels like she’s hit rock bottom. Mixed with the realization that she’s a recovering alcoholic, Brown puts on a drunken show for Russell’s spy pen.

Meanwhile, Russell continues to be the angriest of the bunch. He craves the downfall of Brown so much that he’s become even more desperate than usual. His family life has gotten even worse, and after placing a holiday gift on her desk, Russell finally sees his pitiful reflection. He casually mentions to his wife in an off handed comment that he is having suicidal thoughts. For the first time Russell genuinely feels like he has failed in his career and has nothing left to live for.

He, of course, is right.

Image Credit: HBO

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Gamby is offered a promotion which would have Russell fired. While his partner has sunk to new lows, Gamby is able to appreciate the perfectness of his current situation. After winning back the love of his daughter and enjoying some romantic time with Ms. Snodgrass, Gamby considers cutting Russell loose. But then there would be no show, so that’s not going to happen.

Gamby is perhaps the most frustrating part of the entire episode. In the last episode he established a camaraderie with Brown that made sense — the two shared their insecurities involving their children. Therefore it’s all the more infuriating when he decides to return to Russell’s sociopathic team instead of aligning himself with someone who needs him. Not to mention by using such a despicable method like getting an alcoholic drunk for your own gain. Yet Gamby’s betrayal to Brown isn’t the only disappointing turn involving his relationships after he sabotages himself with Snodgrass.

After realizing that she used to date/casually sleep with Bill Hayden, Gamby promptly dumps her due to his own uncertainties about his relationship. These past few episodes have really made the couple a team to root for which makes it all the more heartbreaking when she calls him later that night and he doesn’t answer. Now that Russell has a video tape of Brown not only urinating on a police car (yes), but also causing public disturbances, and harassing random people, the reign of Dr. Brown appears to be coming to an end.

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With Gamby and Russell showing their evidence to the School Board next week as well as a furious Brown, the finale is bound to deliver a lot of craziness. It’s been a bumpy road — sometimes too bumpy — so far but hopefully Vice Principals can end the season on a high note. Or a low note, depending on your point of view.