The Stall
- Episode aired Jan 26, 2023
- TV-MA
- 56m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
Charlie takes a job at a family-run Texas BBQ joint and must use her skills of perception to sniff out the truth behind a shocking death.Charlie takes a job at a family-run Texas BBQ joint and must use her skills of perception to sniff out the truth behind a shocking death.Charlie takes a job at a family-run Texas BBQ joint and must use her skills of perception to sniff out the truth behind a shocking death.
Stephen C. Bradbury
- Old Timer
- (as Stephen Bradbury)
Tonya Canady
- Luce
- (as Tonya Marie Canady)
Odin Malone
- Cadillac Cowboy
- (as Lev Riley)
- …
Elsa Kennedy
- BBQ Counter Worker
- (uncredited)
Michael Muñiz
- Bbq attendee
- (uncredited)
Shefik
- BBQ Patron
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe DVDs that Charlie gives to George are Babe, Charlotte's Web, and Okja. These all deal with pig/farmers, and Okja in particular about the slaughter industry. This is what convinces George to go vegan.
- GoofsA.M. radio station frequencies run from 540kHz every 10 kHz up to 1600kHz. KZWH's frequency could not have been 510kHz, nor would the station Charlie resorted to, 595kHz, have existed.
- Quotes
Charlie Cale: If you see that fascist dog, tell him he's an asshole for me.
- ConnectionsReferences The Conversation (1974)
- SoundtracksFilles de Kilimanjaro
Composed by Miles Davis
Performed by the Miles Davis Quintet
played by Austin on his radio show
Featured review
The Stall
There are many reasons as to why the procedural will never go away. Most of all, it's because there are a thousand or so shows that use the format, and they're all being watched by someone. Now there is an argument to be made that the more creative side of the procedurals have definitely gone away over the last couple of years. However, there are some shows that prove why there are still aspects of it that can work. The latest of which are Rian Johnson's new Peacock show "Poker Face." I originally thought that this was going to be a show about a woman trying to escape the people who wanted to kill her for her actions during the first episode, but it actually turned out to be a show about Charlie Cale, traveling around the United States and solving crimes in these small towns that she visits. Not only is this a brilliant idea, but it's so baffling to me that no one would have done this before. It's heavily inspired by "Columbo," but the DNA is so purely its own and that's why this show continues to impress with every episode they've done so far. The third episode is definitely the show's best so far and a lot of it is due to Natasha Lyonne's incredible portrayal of Cale, as well as the show's incredibly clever writing and how it brilliantly blends Lyonne's dry humor with the suspense and mystery that is making this a show that quickly has become quite addictive.
For all that this show is doing so well, the best is utilizing the abilities of its star. Natasha Lyonne is clearly the bleeding heart of this show, and it also seems like the show has been built very knowingly around her comedic chops. There's no way that the idea of having Charlie arguing with a racist MAGA dog was in the script before they knew that Lyonne was going to be its star, because it's so perfect for her specifically. If this show had been an hour of that every week, it would have been worth it for me.
There's a lot of fun in watching Charlie crack these cases, but over the last two episodes, the show has proven that its strongest aspect is actually the building blocks that come before it. The structure of the episodes is very interesting, and it plants Charlie in the middle of an event that we already know is going to happen, so watching her familiarize herself with the people around her, makes it all the more heartbreaking when the audience knows what's going to happen. The writing for this episode - by Wyatt Cain - perfectly utilizes that structure to make it all more heartbreaking.
In many ways, this show is also aiming at showing how normal people will never make good killers, as they always leave something behind. Charlie is a very smart character, but her real talent is to immediately understand that the people around her aren't. In this episode, she goes up against Lil Rel Howery's character, who is not a criminal mastermind and really sucks at trying to commit a murder. Therefore, it doesn't seem so unbelievable that Charlie - a normal woman from Nevada - would be able to solve these mysteries and that's one of the show's greatest attraction points.
And in all of its glory, it also provides the audience with some truly hilarious moments. All the moments with the dog are gold, and the interactions between it and Lyonne are brilliant. All the supporting characters have their moments to shine and also glow with the comedy, with a lot of the more subtle nuances in their faces being what really cracked me up. Lil Rel Howery can read from a phone book and make it funny, so no surprise that he nails this character. But it really is Lyonne's lead character that makes this show must watch TV.
"The Stall" brings the show along with a highly addictive hour of TV that utilizes its protagonist and its lead star so well. It also brilliantly plants the structure and how it can be used in this show, while also showing there will always be a fresh direction for a show with constant solid writing.
For all that this show is doing so well, the best is utilizing the abilities of its star. Natasha Lyonne is clearly the bleeding heart of this show, and it also seems like the show has been built very knowingly around her comedic chops. There's no way that the idea of having Charlie arguing with a racist MAGA dog was in the script before they knew that Lyonne was going to be its star, because it's so perfect for her specifically. If this show had been an hour of that every week, it would have been worth it for me.
There's a lot of fun in watching Charlie crack these cases, but over the last two episodes, the show has proven that its strongest aspect is actually the building blocks that come before it. The structure of the episodes is very interesting, and it plants Charlie in the middle of an event that we already know is going to happen, so watching her familiarize herself with the people around her, makes it all the more heartbreaking when the audience knows what's going to happen. The writing for this episode - by Wyatt Cain - perfectly utilizes that structure to make it all more heartbreaking.
In many ways, this show is also aiming at showing how normal people will never make good killers, as they always leave something behind. Charlie is a very smart character, but her real talent is to immediately understand that the people around her aren't. In this episode, she goes up against Lil Rel Howery's character, who is not a criminal mastermind and really sucks at trying to commit a murder. Therefore, it doesn't seem so unbelievable that Charlie - a normal woman from Nevada - would be able to solve these mysteries and that's one of the show's greatest attraction points.
And in all of its glory, it also provides the audience with some truly hilarious moments. All the moments with the dog are gold, and the interactions between it and Lyonne are brilliant. All the supporting characters have their moments to shine and also glow with the comedy, with a lot of the more subtle nuances in their faces being what really cracked me up. Lil Rel Howery can read from a phone book and make it funny, so no surprise that he nails this character. But it really is Lyonne's lead character that makes this show must watch TV.
"The Stall" brings the show along with a highly addictive hour of TV that utilizes its protagonist and its lead star so well. It also brilliantly plants the structure and how it can be used in this show, while also showing there will always be a fresh direction for a show with constant solid writing.
helpful•6721
- lassegalsgaard
- Jan 27, 2023
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Filming locations
- 771 NY-52, Walden, NY 12586(Boyle's BBQ)
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime56 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD
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