NOTE: This article contains spoilers. Read at your own will.
Rusty was a foot model?
Wow, didn’t see that coming.
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Season 2 Episode 2, “The Spaghetti Loop,” takes a hilarious look at privilege, nepotism, and success in someone else’s shadow.
And after Episode 1, “We Keep the Kisses,” showed how much the Dinkins family embraced him, Arthur now seems to struggle with what that acceptance means for his life.
Suffering in Luxury
“This was our Wakanda, except white people knew about it and still didn’t come.”
Reggie deepens his friendship with Arthur by taking him down memory lane in his old neighborhood.
But while Reggie looks at his humble beginnings and admires all he’s accomplished in spite of his circumstances, Arthur struggles with what luxury has cost him.
One of Arthur’s old movies appears on TV while he sits in a vibrating chair eating pizza, and the insecurities he thought he left behind him come rushing back.
Ever the artist, Arthur believes that suffering is the root of great art. However, being wrapped in Reggie’s world takes him further away from his principles, causing him to question whether he’s lost his way.
Seeking guidance, Arthur turns to one of his mentors, Vernon Bellow—played by the legendary André De Shields—to find a way back to his humble roots.
Unfortunately for Arthur, there seems to be little privacy in a house with zero boundaries and cameras everywhere.
I mean, everywhere.
His existential crisis becomes even more complicated when Reggie and Monica interrupt his conversation, revealing to Vernon just how far he’s strayed.
And Vernon discovers Arthur has actual funding for his project.
“You might as well be making a TV show.”
Ouch.
The Cost of Being the Fun One
Meanwhile, Brina has a question for Rusty.
What exactly does he contribute?
She confronts him about being a freeloader, while Monica is a little more diplomatic in questioning what he’ll do if Reggie stops financing his lifestyle.
And Rusty has some thinking to do.
As he reminisces about his wild nights with Reggie, he begins examining his identity outside his friend’s shadow.
For once, Brina might have a point.
But Brina may have underestimated just how much Rusty contributes to their lives.
With Rusty out of the picture, Carmelo and Reggie turn to her for the activities he once participated in with glee.
Suddenly, Brina realizes just how integral Rusty is to her precious free time. The things she criticized as childish, lazy, and frivolous are the very responsibilities that she has absolutely zero interest in taking over.
Hmm, now isn’t that something.
While Arthur fears he’s lost his artistic way in the American celebrity lifestyle, Brina realizes that Rusty brings more value to their lives than she gives him credit for.
Sometimes, the fun one isn’t lazy.
They’re necessary.
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Laugh Out Loud
Kivonshe—founder of So There’s That—is a film & TV critic who explores compelling storytelling, fandom relationships, character psychology, and the impact of entertainment media through film reviews, episodic recaps, and in-depth theme analysis.
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