Happy Face Episode 5 Review: I Was Excited That Melissa Used Her Powers For Good In “Don’t Dream” As It Left Us With A Shocking Cliffhanger

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Happy Face episode 5, “Don’t Dream!“Melissa is riding high at the start ofHappy Faceepisode 5, “Don’t Dream,” in the wake of telling off her father and finding the murder weapon.Happy Faceepisode 4was rough on Melissa (Annaleigh Ashford), and seeing her return home and questioning what her next steps will be if the case is solved is a reminder that Melissa isn’t the only one suffering inHappy Face. She’s beginning to realize that this experience is much bigger than her and Keith’s (Dennis Quaid), andwe’re encouraged to engage with the supporting characters, even though the development is still surface-level.

Happy Faceepisode 5 shows us that the series knows it needs to expand beyond Melissa and connect her personal struggles to the overarching issues that have created a system that enables criminals like Keith. WhileHappy Facedoesn’t always communicate its themes and intentions elegantly, it’s impossible to miss the condemnation of the justice system’s flaws that the episode touches upon.“Don’t Dream” gives us further insight into Elijah (Damon Gupton) and his sister, Joyce (Marci T. House),using the tragedy and unfairness of their story, but I was still left wanting to know more about them.

Happy Face Episode 5 Adds Depth To Its Ensemble Cast Alongside Harsh Truths

The Series Strives To Be More Than A True Crime Drama In “Don’t Dream”

We see a few flashbacks to Elijah’s younger self and get to hear directly from Joyce, establishing a clear emotional connection between them and the viewer. However, I still know very little about them. While it’s easy to understand and be moved by what their story represents,Happy Facewould benefit from making the stories more personal and not just through heavy-handed exposition.Taking a step back from Melissa’s life and her family’s experience would broaden the scope ofHappy Faceand demonstrate that this story belongs to a wide array of characters.

“Don’t Dream” supplies a few surprises, and the poignant ending of the episode drives home the central point of the week’s story. The DA, Craig (Michael O’Neill), has been a frustrating presence in the background, making life difficult for our heroes, but here, he rises through the ranks to become an undeniable villain. It will be exciting to see him get what he deserves and for Melissa to bring him down.As the show progresses, there’s nuance in the dichotomy between the good guys and bad guys,showcasing the typical brands of cruelty besides Keith’s jaw-dropping evil.

Now that Keith’s started confiding in her, Hazel is feeling more like a plot device than a person.

Exploitation is a recurring theme inHappy Face, and it’s not clear if the series knows exactly what it’s saying about the different types of exploitation we see onscreen. Even though Ivy (Tamera Tomakili) and Melissa are working to help Elijah, they’re still using his high-profile case for views.Melissa and her entire family are being used for their flashy connection to Keith,and Melissa herself isn’t afraid to use people indiscriminately, even if she believes it’s for the right reasons. It’s a vicious cycle, andHappy Faceis diving deeper into it, not showing the way out.

However, since the series is just past its midpoint, this is exactly whereHappy Faceshould be. There’s still plenty of time for the show to grapple with what it’s revealed and engaged with, and I’m interested to see what tone the conclusion strikes. It remains tough to watch Hazel be sucked further into Keith’s web, as it’s not difficult to know where this is heading. Now that Keith’s started confiding in her, Hazel is feeling more like a plot device than a person. The parallels between Hazel and Melissa evolve from obvious to repetitive.

The Case Is Far From Over, But Melissa Still Hasn’t Fully Committed To Her Role

Melissa Is Being Torn Apart By Her Commitment To The Case & Her Family

There’s little question that Melissa will continue to work the case with Ivy after the DA’s devastating announcement in the episode’s final moments. It’s impossible to argue it’s the right thing to do, but the brief time she was at home was packed with tension. She talks about feeling alienated from her husband and kids, but she’s just as drawn to the excitement of her new life, if not more so.Happy Facehas started to show the cracks in Melissa’s facade, andit’s easy to see that a part of her wants to be just as famous as Keith.

No one is immune to the allure of fame and power inHappy Face, at least no one in the Jesperson line. As much as Melissa and Hazel are hurt and can’t stop hurting each other, they’re drawn to the adrenaline of doing something wrong and using their skills of manipulation to get what they want. As long as the mother and daughter are lying to each other, there will be tension at the heart ofHappy Face. However, the reckoning between the two women and their parallel journeys is coming.

New episodes ofHappy Faceare available to stream each Thursday on Paramount+.