HBO’s Rooster is in full gear with its episode 6, which was the tightest episode of the series so far, both as a dramedy and a sitcom. Beth’s visit to Ludlow disrupted the flow of things a bit for Greg in the last episode, but the latest one saw him building something new and something real this time.

Katie also had so much to contemplate about her ongoing escapades with Archie and what she actually feels for him. The episode had everything - drama, comedy, some deep analysis, and a big plot twist that will have you jump out of your seats.

Let us take it from the top and lead up to the big conclusion in an orderly fashion.

The sixth episode, titled Cop Hawk, starts with Greg hitting up Cristle for a late-night booty call, which is so out of character for the Greg we met at the beginning of the show. During their romantic night, he says something about the nature of their relationship that does not sit right with Cristle, who obviously does not think that she is in a casual relationship.

Her reaction says it all, and she voices the same the next day during Walt’s lecture. She makes it clear that she wants something real, something solid, and she will not be treated like some “floozy.” Greg agrees and simultaneously asks her out on a date. Things are starting to change for Greg, and in a big way, as in the very next scene, he ends up making Tommy his new roommate because Tommy is homeless currently.

Talking about Katie, things have become much more complicated now. She enjoys her secret meetings with Archie, and it is kind of exciting for her, but it is also damaging her self-respect with the feeling of guilt about what she is doing to Sunny. Archie, on the other hand, is enjoying this very much and is not feeling even a shred of remorse. He is very clear that he wants Katie, and if she forgives him, he would gladly leave Sunny and come back to her.

Katie is definitely in a predicament about her next steps, and is not really sure about her feelings for Archie. She sees Archie around the campus with Sunny, happy and having a normal, healthy relationship, and that bugs her somewhat. The revelation of the “For Katie” graffiti artist’s identity (which happens to be her favorite student, Zoey) also further contributes to her inner turmoil.

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While Katie is in emotional duress, Greg is also having it hard starting something new with Cristle.

The first date with Cristle was not what Greg would have imagined. His getting Tommy as his new roommate blew up right in his face. Greg got late because of Tommy misplacing his toothpaste and his charger, and to top it all off, he was pulled over by the same bumbling cop who had been giving him a tough time since the start of the show. However, this time, he extended his hand for friendship, as Greg had earlier saved his kid DJ from a possible thrashing from the new hockey coach.

Whatever the reasons may be, it still damaged Greg more than it benefited him. He missed his date with Cristle, who left thinking that she had been stood up by him. The next day, he asks her for forgiveness and a do-over from Cristle, but, annoyed about what happened last night, she refuses. Greg ends up finding himself taking advice from Tommy and his friends about the whole situation. It is hilarious to watch their reactions.

During the conversation, Tommy’s situation with his parents is also mentioned, and later Greg confronts him about it. Tommy informs Greg of his arrangement with his parents that allows him to stay away from home only if he manages to keep his grades above C-average. Less than that, and he has to move back home until his grades improve. Greg convinces Tommy to move back as he made a deal with the parents. He also assures him that he will help him get his grades back up.

Greg also advises Katie about her situation with Zoey and how she went too hard on her about the whole “For Katie” thing. She also regrets being so open to her about her feelings and her broken marriage. Greg does not agree with this point of view, as it is the best part of teaching for him to connect with his students. Tommy, who God knows why is present there, agrees with what Greg says. His frequent interruptions are really funny, and Katie is almost jealous of his rapport with her father.

Greg is getting there with Katie, and he is in a place now where she comes to him for advice without any hesitation. But what about Greg and Cristle, what will become of them?    

Greg somehow manages to get a second date from Cristle, and this time, he is determined to make it right. Elsewhere, Katie apologizes to Zoey for how she reacted to the whole situation, and in doing that, she also went a little deep inside her own feelings for Archie. She admits that Archie is a narcissistically selfish guy, and she does not know why exactly she is attracted to him. But she is figuring it out and asks Zoey to lay off on him in the meantime.

There are also some subplots worth talking about that progress with the main storyline. Sunny gets a job offer from a big biotech company, but taking it will mean going away from Archie, so she is hiding it from him. Another follows Dylan’s sidequest with her temporary Dean of Faculty gig, which comes to an abrupt end with the return of Dean Riggs, right when she was getting used to the power and the responsibilities of the job. Also, for all the Dylan and Greg shippers out there, there is a big hint in the episode.

Now with everything worth talking about out of the way, it is time for the highlight of the episode, the ending.

The ending was literally a swift kick to the nuts that no one saw coming. It really was the show’s best moments so far. Well, let us back up a little bit and build up to the big conclusion. So, Greg is getting ready for his second date with Cristle, which she graciously agreed to after the debacle of the first one. Greg has already convinced Tommy to go back to his parents as part of his deal, and Tommy is just happy that Greg will be helping him with his studies.

Everything is going fine till this point; in fact, the date also goes extremely well, and Cristle invites Greg to her home for some late-night shenanigans. After their strenuous session, Greg goes to the kitchen to fetch something to drink and replenish the lost liquid in his body. To his utmost horror, he sees Tommy there staring at him, almost in confusion, and Greg is also not sure what he is doing there.

As Tommy reveals that it is his home, Crystal yells for Greg to fetch whipped cream too, and she also mentions the very specific place she would use that, and trust me, no son would ever want to hear that. The episode ends there with both of them frozen in one place. This was quite a cliffhanger to end the episode, and in all fairness, the whole episode was one smooth ride, never letting up on either the emotions or the comedy.

After episode 4 and its wild ride, this one right here is another banger of the episode and takes the show to its peak. Bill Lawrence has really done a great job here with Steve Carell nailing Greg Russo in every aspect of the show. This twist of the knife only takes the stakes higher for the next episode and the personal journey of Greg Russo.

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What do you think this turn of events means for Tommy and Greg’s relationship? Share your thoughts.