Just when we thought Charlie Cale and her 1969 Barracuda were finally parked and enjoying some peace in New York City, the reluctant BS detector gets pulled into another mystery. The Big Pump, the 10th episode of season 2 of Poker Face, streaming on Peacock, finds Natasha Lyonne’s character tangled up with Frank “Brick” Bricatino, a gym owner who’s running an unsavory side hustle. Played by Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Brick has secrets that keep piling up until they go horribly wrong.
The previous episode dropped Charlie into an apartment-sitting gig in the city and a murder in the building. Episode 10 picks up with her trying to settle in, and though she’s usually a lone wolf, she makes a friend in the kind lady who offered her a free coffee, and the pair sign up for a membership at Brick’s gym — and then things get sketchy.
Method Man, Jason Ritter, Natasha Leggero and Patti Harrison star in the latest installment that centers on the murder of Rodney, a health inspector and member at The Brick House gym. When Rodney (Ritter) uncovers Brick’s illicit scheme of slinging breast milk to meatheads, he confronts him and that leads to a fight and Rodney’s unfortunate, regrettable murder. I say regrettable, because Brick is upset about how it happens, panics and then covers it up. He’s also a bit of a crybaby.
CNET had a chance to speak with Method Man about the episode ahead of its premiere, and we discussed this unique dark comedy role, his respect for Lyonne and Brick being a beta. As an added bonus, we’re also sharing an exclusive clip from the episode.
Poker Face role was an adventure
Outside of his music career as a solo artist and member of Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man has accumulated plenty of credits as a TV and film actor, including parts in shows such as Power Book II: Ghost, The Wire and The Deuce. He’s done comedy, drama, thrillers and voice-overs for animation, yet his Poker Face experience was unlike his past roles.
Was there anything that struck him about Brick’s character? “Just that he thinks he’s an alpha when he’s actually a beta,” said Method Man. “Ego is a powerful drug. But all in all, I thought this was different from anyone I’ve ever played before.”
He praised his co-stars, describing Leggero as “magnificent,” Ritter as “dope to work with,” and the experience as whole: “It was an adventure.”
His approach to playing Brick involved viewing the character as someone who’s passionate about running his business, even though he’s not a great entrepreneur. “The last thing on his mind is the fitness part, even though that’s his life. He’s very good at that, but he’s not so good at life, period,” the actor explained.
Meet Brick and Natasha Leggero as Lily Bricatino.
Method Man’s favorite scene is probably yours, too
Toward the end of The Big Pump, Charlie questions Brick about Rodney and then sneaks off to the sauna to piece evidence together. Brick figures that out and, scrambling, he locks her in the sauna to bake to death. He apologizes as she begs for her life, and then puts headphones on to block out her pleas — and his remorse. It’s the second time we see Brick feel bad about killing somebody, and once Alex frees Charlie, he gets even more desperate.
As he gets ready to beat them with a dumbbell bar, Brick’s wife Lily (Leggero) calls his name with a scolding tone, “Francis John Bricatino! What is the meaning of this?” It’s another example of the odd dynamic the couple has, where Lily is parentified in their relationship. Brick is in big trouble, and he starts crying at his wife’s feet when his murderous actions are exposed. Him getting caught and crying was Method Man’s favorite scene to shoot.
“It’s so unlike me,” he said. “It was the final day of shooting. It took a lot to get to that moment — I thought that it would be harder than what it was, but it wasn’t as hard because by this time, I’m so invested in this character, it felt right.”
Brick tried to cook Charlie in this episode.
On working with Natasha Lyonne
Though he hadn’t watched Poker Face before signing on for the role, Method Man already considered himself a Natasha Lyonne fan and planned to binge the show (just like Game of Thrones, he added). But she herself has spoken highly of him, sharing that they laughed a lot on set, are tough New Yorkers who are really softies and joked that maybe they “were the same person.” The compliments are mutual.
Heaping accolades on Lyonne, Method shared that what you see is what you get, on and off screen. “She is super duper intelligent, super duper diligent about her work and everybody seems to fall in line when she shows up to set,” he said. “And she does know how to command a set — the whole set. Love her.”
He added that the show really wouldn’t work without her, and described her as “uber talented and genuine,” which, as Method Man said, can be rare in show business.
Poker Face, season 2, is currently streaming on Peacock, and only two more episodes remain. Check out the finale in July and some of our other recommendations for the best shows on Peacock.
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