'The Count of Monte Cristo' Episode 6 Looks for Divine "Providence"
'The Count of Monte Cristo' remains uniquely blessed in his enemies, because they are surely the dumbest people alive.
Edmond’s elaborate schemes continue to unspool as The Count of Monte Cristo enters its final third of episodes, and, if nothing else, this is a reminder that he remains uniquely blessed in his enemies, because they are surely the dumbest people alive. On some level, it’s satisfying to watch a craven social climber like Baron Danglars being so openly and obviously set up. On another, it’s all so egregiously overcomplicated that it’s often exhausting to watch.
“Providence” sees the Count staging elaborate fake-outs, thwarting engagements, coercing confessions, doing drugs, and sending inappropriate gifts to his now-married ex for reasons that defy description. On some level, you have to respect the hustle — the man apparently quite literally doesn’t sleep — but there are points where it just feels like too much. Perhaps it’s because we’ve seen so little about whatever his endgame is. Is it public humiliation? Jail? Death? All of the above? Does there really need to be this much build-up?
This hour also spends more time than we ever have before with the secondary characters of this story, and The Count of Monte Cristo really seems to think viewers are more invested in their interpersonal dramas than we have any reason to be.
