Summary
The oddball, quirky humor is starting to become a distraction, but “Father Reuben” is saved by a fun performance from Chris O’Dowd and some more fascinating character development.
We recap the Apple TV+ series The Big Door Prize Season 1 Episode 4, “Father Reuben,” which contains spoilers.
“Father Reuben” focuses on Deerfield’s very own town priest, who was overjoyed in the previous chapter to receive a Morpho card that said Father on it. In episode four, we get more of Reuben’s (Damon Gupton) backstory while the cast continues pushing forward with their lives, making rash decisions, all because of this mysterious Morpho machine.
The Big Door Prize Season 1 Episode 4 Recap
Father Reuben’s card said Father on it, which to Mr. Johnson, is further proof of the Morpho machine’s magical powers. He takes a photo of Reuben with his card, and it makes the front page of the local newspaper.
Reuben isn’t interested in the limelight and continues to deliver God’s work instead, meeting with Trina, who is struggling with her boyfriend’s death.
READ: The Big Door Prize Season 1 Review
At home, Dusty tries to reconnect with Cass after their argument. She likes spicy food and tattoos, so what has Dusty done? Well, he’s got himself a tattoo, for starters, and we catch up with him as he attempts to eat a whole tray of spicy hot wings.
The food makes him sweat, so he removes his T-shirt, revealing the half-finished tattoo to a disgusted Trina.
Why does Dusty get a tattoo?
Cass is also stunned by the tattoo, which is going to spell out ‘puff’ when it is eventually completed. Cass admits that she’s over this puffin fascination. Angered, Dusty starts to bin all the puffin-related gifts he’s bought her over the years.
He says he only got the tattoo to impress her, offering something romantic and unexpected for a change. It’s clear that Cass and Dusty are both struggling to keep up with each other’s ever-changing behaviors.
Highlighting further consequences of the Morpho madness, Principal Pat marries Farid Malik at Giorgio’s restaurant, with Father Reuben officiating the wedding. The couple have only been together a week but felt inspired by the Morpho machine to marry.
Farid’s card said lover on it after all. Father Reuben makes a speech, stating that the machine works in mysterious ways, much like God.
After the ceremony, Father Reuben is hounded by the guests, who want to talk about the connection between the Morpho machine and God. Reuben is growing weary of the machine now. He talks with Hana, who is supplying the alcohol for the event, and the two start to bond.
Meanwhile, Dusty and Cass discuss the prompt marriage, revealing that they got married themselves at 20 years old, which is a little rushed in itself.
READ: The Big Door Prize Season 1 Episode 3 Recap
Mayor Izzy speaks with her ex-wife, Martha, at the party. Martha is there with her new wife, Rose. They ask Izzy to sign a permit for their new inn, but she refuses.
Izzy is still extremely bitter toward Martha after their divorce. She steals the spotlight, performing an odd, solo dance number that stuns the audience into silence.
Cass, dying from embarrassment, starts dancing with a flower girl to make light of the situation. Izzy is furious she’s being upstaged, though, and tells Cass that it is because of her that Martha left her.
How does Dusty cheer Cass up?
Dusty sees how upset Cass is and decides to equal Izzy’s madness. Dusty performs his own dance solo, grooving to George Michael. It’s a fun, uplifting moment as Dusty cheers his wife up.
Of course, Chris O’Dowd takes full advantage of the moment, elevating a rather dull episode. Cass is overjoyed by Dusty’s gesture, and the couple dances together. Giorgio watches from the sidelines, full of envy.
The Big Door Prize Season 1 Episode 4 Ending Explained
After the party, Reuben and Hana drink alone together. They talk about the Morpho machine. Hana refuses to use it. Reuben comments on Hana’s awful playlist and flicks through her songs.
He finds his own wedding song by Shania Twain. Then Reuben opens up to Hana about his previous marriage. He was in love with an amazing woman, and they planned on having kids together, but she got sick and died.
Why did Father Reuben become a priest?
Reuben says that after his wife’s death, he started drinking heavily and ended up at his lowest point. He was handed a card, similar to the Morpho card, which said priest on it. Reuben took this as a sign and got a job at Deerfield High. Then the Morpho machine arrived, and he got a different card that said, Father. Reuben thinks the card means a parent, not a priest. He now realizes that he has taken the wrong path in life.
In the final moments of the episode, Reuben slow dances with Hana. Dusty and Cass make up after the wedding, with Cass saving the puffin items from the bin. While Trina and Jacob have a secret picnic date together.
What did you think of The Big Door Prize Season 1 Episode 4? Comment below.
