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[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for The Hunting Party Season 1 Episode 3 “Lowe.”]
A new twist has emerged in the enigma of the Pit, a clandestine prison notorious for housing serial killers previously thought to have faced execution. This facility has recently experienced a catastrophic explosion, which may have been a calculated move to facilitate the escape of these dangerous inmates. The events of the latest episode cast significant suspicion on the prison warden, Oliver Odell (played by Nick Wechsler), who is perceived by CIA agent Jacob Hassani (Patrick Sabongui) to be deeply involved in the chaos.
As the story unfolds, Bex Henderson (Melissa Roxburgh), an FBI profiler and former partner of Odell, joins forces with Jacob and Pit guard Shane Florence (Josh McKenzie) to locate the escaped killers. Bex is not only on the hunt for these criminals but also on a quest for clarity about the unsettling events leading to their flight. Oliver suggests to her that there may have been intentions to release the killers back into society. Yet, Jacob is convinced that Oliver had prior knowledge of the impending explosion and uncovers evidence, including security footage showing Odell receiving a call from a burner phone right before the incident. This footage also reveals him disabling the server’s firewall and transferring classified files to a flash drive before making a hurried exit. Despite the compelling evidence, Bex remains steadfast in her belief that Oliver is not culpable. She recalls their past, acknowledging the morally ambiguous choices he has made, including an incident years earlier that resulted in a man’s death.
“Bex is aware that Oliver has elements of secrecy in his character, so she entertains the possibility that he might be involved in dubious activities. However, she genuinely wishes to believe in his goodness,” stated Roxburgh in an interview. “The Oliver she loved has a good side, but his dark past complicates her feelings as she grapples with whether he remains a fundamentally good person.”
Sabongui recognizes that Jacob’s distrust of Oliver might be influenced by his own experiences as an operative, where deception is commonplace. “While it’s apparent that Odell is hiding something, I respect Bex’s faith in people. An operative like Hassani tends to project mistrust onto others, which heightens his suspicion of Odell,” he explained.
The tension heightens at the episode’s conclusion when Oliver hands the flash drive over to a mysterious woman (Kari Matchett), indicating there are deeper issues at play, as she hints at her involvement in the unfolding conspiracy.
Executive producer JJ Bailey teased about this woman’s role, describing her as a pivotal figure who manipulates events from behind the scenes. “She resembles a deep-throat character, providing information while orchestrating developments for her hidden agenda. Her character will prove significant as the season progresses,” he noted.
In further discussion, Jake Coburn, another executive producer, explained the layered dynamics within the Pit itself, a facility operating under a veneer of military and corporate oversight while remaining largely concealed from higher authorities, including the U.S. president. “Even though the Pit is placed under a military umbrella, numerous parties, including the CIA and medical professionals, are entwined in its operations. It’s designed to work in shadows, almost without oversight,” he commented.
This scenario prompts questions regarding Oliver’s motivations, particularly considering he invited Bex into the investigation. If he harbors guilt, is he risking exposure by involving her, who knows him intimately? Bailey mused, “Does he bring her in because he truly wants the unvarnished truth to emerge, owing to innocence, or is he attempting to manipulate her because of their past?”
Coburn referred to Oliver as Bex’s “Achilles’ heel,” acknowledging her struggle to navigate the complex layers of his character. “Despite being an astute profiler, Bex finds it challenging to decipher Oliver’s true intentions. Is he inherently good but flawed, or a fundamentally bad individual with redeeming qualities?” he questioned. “I believe at his core, Oliver has goodwill but has made significant missteps that have led him astray. Bex grapples with the same dilemma: Is there a redeemable aspect in him that she can nurture?”
What do you think about Oliver’s character? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The Hunting Party, Mondays, 10/9c, NBC
Source
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