As supersonic as the first batch of episodes was, the fourth episode of Apple TV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles feels like a pit stop where the story is taking a breather to prepare for its next big lap. The episode titled Buddies has really found a heart for the show in the form of Margo and Jinx’s delicate father-daughter relationship. 

While Margo may be the central character of the series, Nick Offerman’s Jinx really becomes the one who has all the eyes right now due to the brilliant writing of his complex character and Offerman’s phenomenal portrayal of Jinx’s conflicted emotions. The whole episode is basically a slow-burner around these two characters who try to take down the wall between them brick by brick to truly see each other for who they are.

Margo’s online venture is also in focus in the episode, and the 40-minute runtime is effectively used to set up this storyline for a possible disaster.

The funny dichotomy of Jinx exercising some mind–stabilising moves and Margo making fun of men’s genitalia on OnlyFans while earning ridiculous tips serves as the opening scene of the fourth episode. Margo is seen actually enjoying insulting the male appendages, comparing them to different Pokémon, and getting paid for them. 

As the tips keep rolling in and followers multiply, Margo’s hunger for more is shown to be taking speed. She has 196 followers, to be exact, right now, and she knows that it is not enough. If she wants to earn a meaningful income from the platform, she needs to get a lot more followers. And also she now has someone to aspire to by the name of WangMangler99, who has 50k followers. 

For now, she does what she can to attract more fans by posting revealing and even semi-nude pictures of herself with the help of her trusted friend and roommate, Susie. A very subtle shade is added to their friendship in this episode, which was missing in the first three episodes. A very real feeling is thrown into their dynamic, which does not really malign the sanctity of their bond but makes it more genuine.

When Susie steps out of the house for her day job, Margo half-jokingly and half-woefully retorts that she is kind of jealous of her for that. Susie’s reaction to that is just a simple smile that does not taunt Margo or take offense at her remarks, but is an acknowledgement of her plight. This adds a layer to their bond and makes Susie more than just a sidekick.

Well, as tempting as the decency of the regular job is, Margo does not seem to particularly hate her current OnlyFans gig. This is further demonstrated by her determination to further grow her account, and for that, she takes the help of online articles and guides on tips and strategies. One of the articles that she comes across advises collaborating with local big influencers of the same genre. 

Luckily, Margo finds out that WangMangler99 is from the same city as her, and she now wants to befriend her in an attempt to collaborate. Even after Susie’s best efforts to dissuade her, she tries to buy their friendship with a $50 tip and a really desperate message for help. Her efforts and bribes could only get her an “ha ha” from them, which infuriates her. She sends a rather insulting text in response and quickly gets a response calling her out to hash things out in person.

Margo gives it her all with the space buns and thirsty attire to impress Wang, but she is not exactly welcoming of her naivety and her desperation. Her partner, Rose, on the other hand, sees potential in her, having the advantage of youth to her side. They were already looking for a much younger influencer to partner up with, but now Margo walks in to fulfill the same prospect. 

Following their brief conversation, Margo returns to speak with Susie while still taking her photos in cosplay outfits. To their horror, Jinx enters the room abruptly without even knocking, and everyone ends up screaming - Susie and Margo out of the shock of Jinx’s unannounced arrival, and Jinx out of the horrifying sight of her daughter in a revealing outfit. 

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Before continuing further to the part where Jinx is told the truth, we first back up a little to know what he was up to previously in this episode.

Jinx receives all his belongings from his ex, Cheri, making their separation official. While he is going through his stuff, Margo inquires about his spending most of this time in his room. Well, Jinx would like to know the same about Margo, spending most of her time in Susie’s room. She answers his question with a lie that they are busy making educational videos, which Jinx accepts at the time.

Later in the episode, Margo leaves Bodhi in Jinx’s care to go to her meeting with Wang. Shyanne comes by looking for Margo and finds Bodhi alone with Jinx. She is a bit disappointed as she is herself under a lot of stress, probably from all the wedding stuff, and was looking for some help from Margo. 

She brought some sample cakes with her for the wedding and wanted Margo’s opinion on which one to choose. Since Margo was not there, Jinx offered to help. While tasting the cake, he gives Bodhi to Shyanne for a moment, and he immediately starts fussing. Shyanne gets even more annoyed when she sees him settling down once Jinx holds him. Shyanne expresses the same to him, and Jinx graciously shows her how it is done. 

Shyanne is baffled to see how easy it is for him to navigate his way around the baby. At the same time, she is resentful that he was never really there to hold Margo like that or teach her this stuff back then. She is pissed at the fact that, despite not having the slightest idea about his real self, Margo always felt safe and held with him. 

However, the scene that follows is an absolute masterclass by Nick Offerman, really giving the audience a window into the psyche of Jinx - what is he feeling and how hard it is to turn to his old life, but he needs to do it just to let his daughter know about that aspect of his life, and in turn help her better understand him now.               

In any case, Margo observes that Jinx is acting strangely when he asks her to accompany him to a signing ceremony for pro-wrestlers and ex-wrestlers. It may be the effect of Shyanne’s words, but there is a genuine desire from his side to connect with his daughter and let her see the side of him that she never got to see. Margo agrees, and Jinx could not wait to introduce her to his past glory. 

But as things were looking up for the father-daughter duo, the truth about Margo’s side hustle torpedoed its way into the mending relationship.

Jinx first believed Susie and Margo were secretly dating, but Margo clarifies what is actually going on. Jinx's ignorance of the real thing here does amount to some comedy. Nevertheless, for obvious reasons, his attitude completely shifts when Margo informs him that she is on OnlyFans. The question of whether participating in OnlyFans is empowering or merely a desperate move is still up for debate. 

In any case, Jinx claims that no decent person would go into such a line of work, but Margo quickly reminds him that since her mother worked at Hooters and he is a wrestler, he has no right to condemn her. Her statement, “I have a son, who needs to be provided for. How dare you judge me?” really stays with you even after the end of the episode, and keeps on bombarding your consciousness with the question of ethics and reality. 

Despite the altercation, Margo honors her pledge and attends the wrestling signing event with Jinx.

Lace (Nicole Kidman), an old friend and coworker, greets Jinx as soon as he arrives at the event. The way they greeted each other suggested that they had a history together (not particularly romantic, but there are signs of a deep bond here). Lace is delighted to see Margo, and it turns out that she had met Margo when she was three years old, which further suggests that the father-daughter duo did spend some time together.

Lace tells her how loved his father is in the world of wrestling, even after leaving everything behind years ago. Lace then invites him to the ring, and Jinx reluctantly, though, enters the ring and does his signature moves. Amidst the hooting and cheering for her father, Margo really gets to see a man beyond the myth. 

Jericho (Chris Jericho, the real-life wrestler) joins them in the ring and instructs him to make a move on him. Lace then joins in on the fun and orchestrates a way to give the impression that she has defeated Jinx. He asks her not to ease up on her attacks, which she does not. But this does not go well for him as he is now rendered motionless on the ring, unable to move.

In the next scene, we see him on a bed being treated for a spasm. He requests that she refrain from bringing up his previous history with drugs with the doctors, as it will instantly prompt them to treat him like a criminal. He also goes on to express his regret about judging her for her job since they are all putting up a show, whether as Lace, Jinx, or HungryGhost  (she finally tells him her work name, putting her trust in him). 

But the heartfelt moment takes a turn when Jinx insists on knowing about the father of his grandson, and Margo tells him the truth - all of it, from the NDA to the payment. This makes him furious, which is visible in his reactions. The truth has really triggered Jinx this time, and for the first time in the show, we are about to see an angry Jinx.

The concluding moments of the episode are the something that gives this slow-burning episode a fiery blast.

The events of the last three episodes felt like one big build-up for the characters to start to unravel in the future episodes. But the fourth episode really gave them some more time to simmer with their feelings to make the impact even more powerful. In the case of Margo and her hustle on OnlyFans, it took some time, and the ending of the episode also gave some more fuel for her storyline to blow up in the near future. 

Towards the climax, we see Margo talking to Wang and Rose about the future plans and possibilities to take their little operation to the next level. She is obviously no longer merely testing the waters by the time the NDA is signed, and the plan becomes more ambitious, sophisticated, and dangerous. She's diving into something that could probably drown her or, worse, leave her in a spot more despairing than her current one.

Under the pretense of a stroll, Jinx disappears, and the episode allows the silence to last just long enough for the revelation to be more shocking. The fact that he went to visit Mark signals that something big is going to happen, and this is not just a drop in to exchange pleasantries.

The scene's abruptness is what makes it feel so urgent and so intense. Jinx is not portrayed as a reliable guardian who shows up at the last minute, up until now. His sudden visit to Mark just shows how hurt he is about the truth that her daughter's life got ruined while he gets to go on with his life as if nothing happened.

He uses very few words during their conversation, and as his grip tightens with each word, Mark understands who actually holds his delicate palm in his lion-like claws. Mark requests him to let his hand go in a meek voice, but Jinx is blinded by rage, and as the screen goes dark, we hear a crackling sound.

The conclusion really gives you chills and anticipation for the consequences of Jinx’s little stunt with Mark. Also, there is a possibility that Margo has gotten herself into an unknown mess that is just waiting to explode on her face by signing the NDA. The upcoming episodes have several surprises in store, and it will take another week to reach the next shocker.

‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’: Release Date, Cast, Plot and All You Need To Know About the Apple TV+ Series

What do you think Mark will do after Jinx’s visit? Share your thoughts.