THE OUTSIDER (S1E4) “Que Viene El Coco”: Holly Gibney Is On The Case
Last week, we were introduced to Private Investigator Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo), who went to Dayton, Ohio, to investigate what happened to the Maitlands during their trip early March. Detective Jack Hoskins (Marc Menchaca) got infected by whatever dark force is consuming Flint City. Ralph (Ben Mendelsohn) went to Alec Pelley (Jeremy Bobb) and Howie Gold (Bill Camp) for additional help with the Terry Maitland case.
We also watch a prisoner (Heath) found guilty of murdering two young girls spend his last day in prison before killing himself. And through the rigorous detective work of Gibney, she finds the circumstances of this prisoner’s case similar to Terry’s. Clearly, this evil is contagious.
HBO’s The Outsider continues with episode four, “Que Viene el Coco”. In a rewarding perspective shift, the latest episode principally follows Holly Gibney, as she discovers a trail of suspected child murderers, who may very well be innocent. Could they possibly be part of a greater occurrence, perhaps a perennial cycle of evil?
In “Que Viene el Coco“, A Murder Trail Is Unearthed
It doesn’t take a detective to know that Holly Gibney is a resolute and eccentric private investigator. When she takes a job, she doesn’t procrastinate or hesitate, she daringly ventures to unearth the truth. Now hired to investigate the perplexing Terry Maitland case, what exactly does she find?
The opening of “Que Viene el Coco” highlights a fast-talking Holly, who sends Ralph the information about the murdered girls and the convicted Dayton killer. She’s convinced that this case is similar to Terry’s. Like the dedicated PI she is, she dives deeper, and she’s able to talk to the front desk nurse about Heath, the former employee and convicted murderer of the two young girls.
Gibney finds out that Heath was apparently on vacation the whole time. His mother even confirms that story. To make matters more complicated, the nurse saw Heath at work one of those days. In fact, she saw him slip in the hallway while running into Terry Maitland.
With some inside help, Gibney is able to speak with Peter Maitland, but his mind is deteriorating. Through the aimless mumbling, Peter does allude to Heath’s innocence: “It wasn’t him, you know.” Gibney goes on to meet with Andy Katcavage (Derek Cecil), a former detective who can provide her with some information about the Heath case.
As it turns out, the majority of the Heath clan suffered a tragic death, similarly to the Peterson clan. At first, this meeting is professional, but it looks like Gibney has herself an uncontainable crush. Gibney seals the deal with a fleeting kiss, and she immediately runs away to the hotel bar. All in all, it was an endearing moment that modestly exhibited how Gibney, a peculiar PI who remembers facts very few people know about, also wants to experience love.
It’s the fellow bartender that prompts Gibney’s next step. The bartender suggests that Holly should look at the frightfully familiar cases as a virus. A virus is infectious, passed down from host to host. So what if murder was a virus, and Heath got it from somebody he had contact with? Gibney sees it through, and she discovers that Heath took a trip to New York, and that he met a woman there.
Exploring the NYPD archives, she finds another case that closely imitates Heath and Terry’s. This time around, the convicted NY killer is still alive, rotting in prison. Her name is Maria Coneles (Diany Rodriguez), and she has no vivid recollection of meeting with Heath. But throughout the episode, we’re shown clips of Maria and Heath having breakfast together and sleeping together. At one point, Heath ends up with a scratch on his back. And remembering Terry’s infamous scratch in the hallway, it’s getting more and more clear that these confounding instances of murder are spreading like a virus. If that’s the case, who’s next?
Unfortunately, a genuinely frightened Maria is unable to open up about who she believes really killed the children. A woman overhears their conversation, and gives a note to Gibney, compelling her to meet her at her apartment. Holly’s curiosity is commendable yet concerning. Who knows what she’s getting herself into? When Holly meets this pious woman, she rambles on about demons and devils, and one evil in particular: “El Coco” (The Grief Eater), a demon that consumes its prey and feeds on the grief left behind.
Back at Flint City, the kid who stole the van comes back to tell Ralph the honest-to-god truth: he disclosed that he saw a deformed man (or demon, maybe?) steal the van, and he offers up a sketch. On a different note, Detective Jack Hoskins is still weathering a neck infection, and he’s tasked to discard objects and animals in the woods.
Holly Gibney Keeps The Mystery Alive
The fourth episode of The Outsider belongs to Holly Gibney, the lovably offbeat PI who hauls around a troubled childhood, unflagging determination, and a series of idiosyncrasies. Cynthia Erivo plays Gibney with striking rigor and charisma. Whilst she has only just arrived last week, Gibney keeps one intrigued. And the latest divulgences of the case appear authentic, largely because Gibney’s detective faculties are still ringing true.
In “Que Viene el Coco”, more investigations similar to Terry and Heath’s are revealed. Jack’s intentions are still interestingly hazy. Ralph finally gets a visual sketch of the man who stole the van. But these findings only enliven more mysteries and riddles. Thankfully, Holly Gibney has a propensity to get to the bottom of this case. Gibney is a fascinating enigma, processing every bit of information with the utmost care. Even when she’s told about The Grief Eater, a fabled evil, she treats it as a real possibility. And from the looks of it, the supernatural plays a part in this story.
The Outsider Is Still A Curious Mystery-Horror Concoction
As supernatural elements continue to grow, the fear becomes more palpable. Still boasted by the characteristic drum-infused score, the impressively subdued performances, and the ear-splitting sound design (see the eerie bathtub scene at the end of the episode), The Outsider is still a curious mystery-horror concoction. That said, the pace is still achingly, maybe even deliberately slow. Things should probably pick up.
Are you all caught up on The Outsider? What are your thoughts on the show? Let us know in the comments!
The Outsider is available to watch on HBO every Sunday at 8.
Does content like this matter to you?
Become a Member and support film journalism. Unlock access to all of Film Inquiry`s great articles. Join a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about cinema - get access to our private members Network, give back to independent filmmakers, and more.
