Summary
There’s plenty of engaging madness in The Politician Season 1, Episode 7, “The Assassination of Payton Hobart: Part 2”, but also a crucial message.
This recap of Netflix Series The Politician Season 1 Episode 7, “The Assassination of Payton Hobart: Part 2” contains significant spoilers. You can read the recap of the previous episode by clicking these words.
Episode 7, which is titled “The Assassination of Payton Hobart: Part 2”, is not about murdering the lead character. It’s about destroying his career. Payton’s (Ben Platt) desperation for political power resulted in his downfall, and Episode 7 highlights the consequences of his undoing.
With Payton in a coma, and his father funding his recovery until he wakes up, the family is truly separated down the middle. Georgina and Payton will have none of the fortunes. I honestly think that’s a good thing.
The second act of Episode 7 feels like a strange Wild West confrontation. Ricardo tells Infinity what he did, so she storms to the hospital and alerts them that it is sepsis, not poison that is causing his illness. Infinity then confronts her Nana and explains the police will be arresting her. The Nana admits to having problems and needing help but also slides in the fact she has a spa holiday booked.
The scene turns into madness, absolute madness, as Ricardo shows up and threatens to light himself on fire. Also, Infinity’s Nana tries shooting herself but accidentally puts a bullet in Ricardo. The characters are imploding, and it was great television.
While in a coma, Payton dreams about River and wonders what was so bad about his life. He concludes that River felt everything, but there was not enough positive emotion to balance it out. That sounded like such a subtle but essential description of depression. Payton probably wishes he did not wake up, as it’s a complete nightmare. The school knows everything about his campaign and Infinity.
Episode 7, “The Assassination of Payton Hobart: Part 2”, forms a scenario that no-one trusts Payton at the school. The school asks for his resignation for aiding and abetting attempted murder. Payton accepts this, but explains that he was the one that told Infinity the truth, and goes into a long rant about how he is not a good person, but wanted to do good things. That sounds like a criminal, let’s be frank.
In a soul-destroying scene for the character, James tells Payton that he is not confident he can come back from this. Alice then withdraws her hand and explains that the dream is over. What a difference a few episodes can make.
As for Astrid, she finally gets her revenge on her terrible father. She rings the police and makes them aware that he’s a fraud, and then heads to New York. Astrid was just as much a lost character as Payton and requires much-needed closure in her life and separation from her father will be a release.
Episode 7 also closes Skye’s story. In the same moment she offers McAfee Vice-President, McAfee lets her know that she’s gone to the police for the attempted murder of Payton after finding the rat poison in the trash.
The Politician Season 1, Episode 7, “The Assassination of Payton Hobart: Part 2”, includes my favorite scene of the series. Georgina tells Payton that his life going to hell is the best thing to happen to him, and losing is something he should embrace. I enjoyed this message in a show that is basked in entitlement and riches. Parenting and schooling in this generation are built upon shielding our children away from losses, and then when released into the real world, they feel disenfranchised with how difficult life can be, and end up resenting their parents. Losing can be a good thing. As his mother finally leaves, he cries.
Advisor’s Notes
- Astrid’s father claims he was too soft on her. Astrid tells him that they are a family of fakes.
- At an auction for Georgina’s things, the husband outbids for everything — Georgina is going to donate it to a charity for people affected by Munchausen’s by proxy.
You can read the recap of the eighth episode by clicking these words.
