PAM & TOMMY (S1 E1-3): Transformative Performances Meet Narrative Creativity

The miniseries has proven itself to be a lucrative and artistic platform over the last decade. From horror to documentary, from drama to biographical, the miniseries has proven it is here to stay. The artistic creativity that has flourished has raised the stakes within the medium of television, and Hulu’s Pam & Tommy is no exception. While only the first three episodes of the season have been released thus far, Pam & Tommy rises above what we would assume a biographical miniseries would be.

Episode 1

Pam & Tommy is in no rush to move its story forward or to even introduce its central duo. Rather, it builds a case for empathy and understanding for the film’s catalyst Rand (Seth Rogan). Now while it does not shape his inclusion as an excuse, the series’ first episode provides background into the character himself, giving a sense of humanity, revenge, and desperation that would become the central motivations for his actions. With Hulu releasing the first three episodes, we are allowed to connect with Rand, as well as his eventual business partner Uncle Miltie (Nick Offerman) and ex-wife Erica (Taylor Schilling), who each converge in their own forms to motivate the story further. As you will find, this is not exclusively Pam and Tommy.

As the episode opens, we are given our first look at Pamela Anderson (Lily James) speaking on late-night television to Jay Leno (Adam Ray). There is a sense of discomfort as Leno continually draws their interview back to a sex tape that is rumored to be floating around. There is disgust that forms in a modern age that this is the central talking point of the brief clip, clearly violating the comfort of Anderson and speaking to the misogynistic focus that too often frames the narrative. It’s effective in the sympathy, and sense of disgust, that will quietly linger through the series’ first few episodes.

As we leave the opening, viewers meet Rand as he is renovating while forced to endure sex sounds heard above him. As he pushes through the pain and financial instability the job has afforded him, viewers finally meet Tommy (Sebastian Stan). He is wild and he is erratic, the lens rapidly zooming into his space. This will be the first of many times this is utilized within the episode raising the intensity and vibe. It heightens the intensity, forcing viewers into a sense of being pulled into the action, into the wildness, and having the sense of no control against the pull of the screens’ focus.

Yet, as Rand is pushed to the limits of his patience and ability to meet the demands of Tommy’s constant altering requests, he is fired from the job, left with a massive debt Tommy sees no reason to rectify. It is in this moment a plan is hatched for revenge that sets off the cycle that will lead to the series’ scandalous focus. It is an effective opening, limiting exposure of its central duo, while allowing the audience to explore the world they are immersed within. The series wants viewers to be aware there is alway more to the story, and to be seen outside of the central focus.

Episode 2

Following a highly effective pilot, Pam & Tommy travels back even further into the past, Anderson celebrating a girl’s night at a local club. As she is celebrating her newly found singledom, swearing off all bad boys in the process, she orders a round of shots for every person in the club – catching the eye of one man in particular. As he makes his way over to her VIP section, Tommy and Pam instantly hit it off, a night of drinking and partying ensues. As Tommy refuses to let her slip away, a whirlwind relationship kicks off, ending with the couple married and navigating a new life and discovery of one another.

There is an effectiveness in the saturation of Pam and Tommy being saved for the second episode. There is an established intrigue with those who would take control of their story early one, bringing the more known whirlwind relationship as a secondary introduction. It also gives the series time to fully emerge the audience in its story. Rand has his, while they have theirs. It gives a deep contrast between both worlds, all while embracing a creative construct to their relationship.

Where zooming was utilized to heighten the intensity of the first episode, capturing the nature of Pam and Tommy here reaching intriguing creative decisions. As Pam and Tommy engage in multiple sexual encounters following their marriage, the intensity of their feelings is heightened through high-resolution slow motion, the cinematography creating shape, colors, and lines to every detail of the frame. And yes, there is a talking penis.

As the drugs and euphoria of discovery wear off, the series embraces the awkward “morning after” feeling, the two working through the lack of knowledge of one another. Starting with a shared love of fries, they begin to work together through each aspect of their life, loving and living as one unit and embracing a new sense of discovery.

Episode 3

While Rand and Miltie shop the sex tape around, this continued sense of discovery grows deeper between Pam and Tommy, and a creative awareness creates a stark contrast between the actions of Rand and Miltie and the celebrity duo. As Pam and Tommy are creating a firm foundation of trust and support, unknown forces are working around them and are sure to have dire consequences.

Episode 3 evenly balances its inclusion and depictions of both these sides, giving Miltie and Rand darkened lighting, crafting an aura of villainy, all while still maintaining the humanity of Rand. Where Miltie fits the persona of a greedy businessman, Rand personifies the desire for revenge, but also the longing for what has been lost. Pam and Tommy, on the other hand, find themselves basked in warmth and light, the euphoria of newlywed bliss and the false sense of security their celebrity status affords them creating their own little bubble to live in.

Yet, where they are able to craft this sense of warmth and security at home, Pam & Tommy begins to tackle the male perspective through Pam’s role on Baywatch. There is a sense early on, ever so subtly laced, that Pam’s role in the series has been decreased, her lines reduced to two per episode. There is a fear in her that her time on the series is running out, and a sense that her increasing exclusion this season is due to her marriage. As we watch the camera and the full cast of men direct her “wedgie” close-ups, viewers are shown head-on what we already know – Pam Anderson is treated as nothing more than a blonde bombshell. There is a sympathy for Pam that grows, even as she tries to stand her ground and fight for her voice. And for a least a moment, Pam & Tommy feels like a moment of discovery for viewers, a moment to learn the truth of Pam Anderson. About her struggles, and in a #Metoo world, the suffering she did and is about to endure.

But with the release of the sex tape looming, there is a feeling her fight has only just begun.

Conclusion

Both Sebastian Stan and Lilly James are transformative, immersing themselves within their roles and conforming completely to what defines their respective portrayals. Each delivers career-best performances that draw a variety of emotions, Specifically, James, garnering a deep sense of empathy for her Anderson. While the series does find its slower moments in episode three, the performances of these two alone are the driving force to return for more.

Have you seen Pam & Tommy? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Pam & Tommy premieres with new episodes on Hulu every Wednesday!

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