The pilot episode of HBO’s “Barry,” which premiered on March 25, opens with a montage that reveals a normal day in the life of Barry Berkman (Bill Hader, “Saturday Night Live”): he catches a flight, checks his mail, takes a shower, plays video games and goes to bed. First, however, he leaves a man shot to death in bed.
Viewers slowly become aware that Berkman is an ex-U.S. Marine turned hitman. The apathetic Midwesterner kills people for a living for easy money, though he’s ultimately bored and unsatisfied with his purpose in life. Episode one, “Chapter One: Make Your Mark,” takes Berkman to Los Angeles for a job, sent by handler Monroe Fuches (Stephen Root, “Get Out”); as he’s tailing his next target, however, Berkman ends up at an acting class run by the over-the-top Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, “Happy Days”). A misunderstanding results in Berkman taking the stage in class and later joining the optimistic and misfit crew of actors for drinks. Despite his underwhelming performance, Berkman feels a strange passion for acting, and, encouraged by the stunning Sally Reed (Sarah Goldberg, “The Dark Knight Rises”) and others, ignores his hitman duties and attends the acting class once again. Because of this, trouble ensues, and the episode ends as police lights flash and Barry Berkman embraces his stage name, Barry Block, and cracks a smile for the first time.
It sounds like a strange plot, but HBO has used this pilot to set up an intriguing dark comedy series. The humor comes between the lines in “Barry,” but it’s definitely there, and it comes smartly and subtly alongside the tragedy. The character of Barry, wrestling with depression and a lack of purpose in life, delivers a tone similar to shows like “Bojack Horseman,” and there are strong notes of Michael C. Hall from “Dexter,” only without the inner monologue. Overall, though, Barry is ultimately a likeable character. He may be a killer, and he drearily floats through the first episode with very little emotional expression, but he’s motivated by optimism, newly-found passion and the thrill of acceptance. This is likely what will push viewers to continue watching.
The second episode premiered on April 1, and both tragedy and comedy are only heightened. Smart comedy is immediately followed by cringe-worthy torture scenes. Overwhelming grief is countered with cheesy characters and costumes in the acting class. Eerie stalking follows a hilariously awkward romantic interaction. With the second episode, “Barry” seems to be building momentum and refining its style, raising the bar for each episode to come.
Fans of Bill Hader should definitely give the show a try; Hader created the show alongside screenwriter Alec Berg (“Seinfeld”), and he has directing, producing and acting credits. It’s a departure from the conventionally goofy, awkward and laugh-out-loud-funny Hader many know from SNL and other comedies he’s worked on, but his sense of humor still shines through in a more understated way.
It’s dark, tragic, witty, genre-defying and thoroughly human. “Barry” is moving comedy in a new direction, but so far, it seems successful.
The first two episodes of “Barry” are available to stream now on HBO GO.
