Vinyl – Season 1, Episode 7: “The King and I”

HBO’s Vinyl
Season 1, Episode 7: “The King and I”
Directed by Allen Coulter
Written by David Matthews

* For a review of the previous episode, “Cyclone” – click here
* For a review of the next episode, “E.A.B” – click here

After the literal and titular “Cyclone” of last episode, Richie Finestra (Bobby Canavale) is back!
This episode begins as Richie reads The Farther Reaches of Human Nature by A.H. Maslow. He’s having Cece (Susan Heyward) cart out all the alcohol. He’s “on the wagon” apparently, so everyone else is excited to get the runoff. In the American Century Records boardroom, Zak (Ray Romano), Scott (P.J. Byrne) and Skip (J.C. MacKenzie) are trying to help Richie get things running “lean“, which includes cutting up the company cards and such. They discuss how to trim all the fat, including getting rid of their plane, et cetera. Then up turns Andrea Zito (Annie Parisse). She’s doing her best to keep her end of the ship above water. Nevertheless, Richie’s still having trouble keeping it together. Being sober and dealing with everyday problems, plus ACR’s bullshit, can’t be easy.

On their plane, while they’ve still got it, Richie talks to Zak about Devon (Olivia Wilde). Although, it’s pretty clear that Zak has problems with him. He doesn’t have much sympathy for Richie and his broken marriage. Still pissed about his daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, and Richie showing up stoned, very, very late, and so on. Their issues all come out over the ride. It’s obvious Zak is more than offended, he is genuinely hurt by someone whom he thought was a close, dear friend. A slight discussion about Maury Gold (Paul Ben-Victor) and Corrado Galasso (Armen Garo) comes up. Yet Richie does his best song and dance to let this slide by without much talk. And his addiction, the want for booze, for anything, is certainly clear.

Zak: “Because you‘re an infant, Richie. I trust my wife, naked, in bed with Burt Reynolds before I trust you with a hundred grand in cash.”
Richie: “I partly see your point”

In the life of Jamie Vine (Juno Temple), her mother is trying to control her life. But Jamie’s one strong lady, and she’ll do whatever it takes. Meanwhile, Clark Morelle (Jack Quaid) is busy out doing his new duties, getting dogged by a bunch of black employees, which is damn hilarious. He’s trying, anyways. There’ll definitely be more to come out of his little situation.
Zak and Richie get their plane off-loaded, with Lou Meshejian (John Ventimiglia), who’s very happy to have it, lots of plans. But the boys from ACR aren’t feeling so hot, as they’re looking like the ones on the block who can’t get things done right.
At a big lavish party, Richie decides he’s going to try and lift some clients for Lou’s sassy behaviour. He passes by a few people, such as Mama Cass, then Zak introduces him to Gram Parsons (Wesley Tunison), and then there’s Stephen Stills (Brett Schneider) whom Richie already knows. “Pheasant just lands on your shotgun, doesn‘t it?” Zak quips when a woman feeds Richie pineapple out of nowhere. A little later, we see Crosby, Stills, and Young in the same spot. Awesome little drop in the bucket of the massive universe within Vinyl.
Above all else, Richie realizes the word on ACR is out in the air and he has to do something to change that soon. At the party there’s a bit of talk Zak hears, which prompts him to suggest to Richie they ought to try signing Elvis Presley, whose unhappiness at his label is a hot topic in the rumour mill.

Jamie and Clark bond a little. Turns out, Clark had her job several years ago, now he’s back down in the trenches. “Hustle and moxie,” Jamie suggests as what the ACR heads want in their people. There’s simply something missing in Clark. He fits in, slightly, but he doesn’t push, he doesn’t go for broke on the right things, and above all else he is fairly spineless. Especially after breaking down crying in front of Julie (Max Casella) a couple episodes ago. Still, though, Jamie tries to help him keep his spirits up because she is a good soul. Bringing a bit of marijuana to work might help Clark bond with his new co-workers in receiving.
At a hotel, Zak and Richie meet with legendary Colonel Tom Parker (Gene Jones) – manager of the famed Elvis. The whole thing is like a clandestine meeting, off the books, but it’s whatever it needs to be. They’ll do anything necessary.
In other news, Joe Corso (Bo Dietl) is out doing his thing, throwing money and orders around. “Stop bein‘ a cock,” he tells one radio man before shelling out even more money. Even further, Corrado and Maury arrive. Nothing looks too friendly, particularly when it concerns Corrado’s name getting tossed around willy nilly. “Think before you talk,” Maury advises Joe. And just around the corner sits one of the police investigating Rogers’ murder. Hmm.
Waiting around to their deals, Zak and Richie strike up conversation and drinks with a couple pretty ladies. Only problem? The cocaine comes out. Instead of doing it, he skips a bump, tosses one of the women in the pool then jumps in himself. Smart move, Rich. Can he last? Can he turn away from the lure? Only time will tell.
A little bit of Elvis (Shawn Wayne Klush), too. He rocks onstage, as Zak, Richie, the women, and a huge crowd watch on. Zak isn’t impressed for his part, not with the new Elvis Presley. “This isn‘t Elvis,” shouts a drunk Zak.

Zak (watching Elvis): “This is a tragedy. Fuck JFK, MLK, Vietnam – this, this… I can‘t. Rock n‘ roll‘s died tonight.”

In the hotel room, Richie leaves Zak to the two women.
He goes to meet Elvis instead. They have a down to earth chat. Seems they’ve both been reading the same material, re: Maslow. Then Richie gets to talking him up, though, not a hard sell. He merely gives Elvis compliments, genuine ones, and plays on the King’s love of the form of rock n’ roll. It’s a great scene, the whole thing is intense, weird, and well-written. These appearances of people playing music gods since the first episode have been interesting. They don’t come off at all as gimmicks or inorganic. Dig every last one of them. Perhaps Elvis is my favourite thus far. Furthermore, we see the grip the Colonel seemed to have had on Presley, acting almost like an abusive master than a manager.

Elvis: “I want them to feel the music, y‘know, I want them to live in the music. That‘s where I live; in the music, man.”

Back at the room, the girls cleaned Richie and Zak out. Big time. Including their safe, the cash inside. Looks like Zak fucked them even worse than anything he perceived Richie’s done. Well, at least it’s on par. For all his faults, Richie mostly drained their wallets with his coke habit, which is no more. Now it’s Zak making things into a mess: “I wanna die,” he weeps to Richie. “Everyone fucks up, okay?” he reassures in reply. Through thick and thin, these guys.
Or is that the case? We skip back a little. All the number 18 moments hit Richie. So he went to the room as Zak got his three-way on, and he took the money downstairs: all on 18 at the craps table, over and over, loss after loss. So on the plane home, he naturally has a drink. So much for being off the wagon. Then, the symbol of the two travel bottles of vodka leave stains on his book from earlier, as if the inescapable nature of his addiction leaves an imprint on every little aspect of his life; that’s his human nature.