Netflix's Maniac Ep. 4

Episode 4 of Maniac picks up in the simulated world with both Annie and Owen. They're married in this reality. There's some preposterously convoluted issue they have to deal with that involves an old lady named Harriet, her estranged daughter named Nancy (Nan), and a stolen lemur, which apparently has value in the illegal cartel business (seriously, this is such bizarre, out-of-left-field stuff).

The case of the missing lemur escalates as Annie and Owen suddenly come out of their shell and turn into their version of Bonnie and Clyde. Their successes are short-lived as they get tailed (which, in this case, simply means a guy in a truck was following them. How alert of them), then eventually captured. Fortunately for them, there's a giant shootout with the cops at this crook's hideout, and they are able to spring free undetected. As they arrive at Harriet's house to return the stolen lemur, Owen tells her how exciting life is with her. Picture Jonah Hill with a curly mullet in his volvo wearing a Warren Moon Houston Oilers jersey (suggesting this is in the 90s). Okay, I'm sorry I asked you to picture that.

Near the end of the simulation, though, we finally get a morsel or two. Annie is returning the lemur, but Nan doesn't want it. She later reveals she's pregnant and is planning on naming her son Greg Fun Nazlund, which is the same guy who was driving the semi truck that crashes into Annie's car when she and her sister are driving in Utah in the previous simulation.

Seriously, it was the oddest episode of any show I've watched in a long time. The story is taking too long and trying to develop too much irrelevant background or side stories that are not going anywhere. The pathway to get to where this show is heading (hopefully it's heading somewhere, but I'm not even sure of that at this point) is taking quite the scenic route.

The episode ends with the cops tracking down Annie and Owen. Owen is taking out the trash when the cops show up, and he pleads with them to only take him and leave Annie alone. Apparently the next episode will continue along this bizarre story line. Hopefully not for very long.

WIFE'S TWO CENTS: She appreciates the little details. Owen, who is No. 1 in the experiment, was wearing a Warren Moon jersey (his number was 1), while Annie, who is No. 9 in the experiment, was the ninth person in line at the DMV. Clever little touches.