Happy Face Episode 3 Review: I Like The Character-Driven Story, But I’m Still Waiting For Some Action & More Of Dennis Quaid's Keith
As I get drawn deeper into the world of Happy Face, I have to remind myself that while this TV show might have true crime roots, its purpose isn't to find the truth but to entertain me. It's an interesting reflection of the series within the series, The Dr. Greg Show, which presents itself as a journalistic endeavor but feels more like exploitation with every episode. Happy Face episodes 1 and 2 set the scene and introduced us to our cast of characters, but episode 3, "Was It Worth It?" isn't moving as quickly as I would've hoped.
Happy Face isn't entirely sure if it wants you to sympathize with Melissa (Annaleigh Ashford) or not. For every moment of exploitation and pain, we get five more of her brushing off her family and diving headfirst into an investigation she has no business being a part of. Melissa chafes against the manipulations of the producers and wealthy elite but feels perfectly comfortable trying out these same tactics on others with a slightly softer tone. It's a heavy contradiction, and unfortunately, Happy Face isn't quite nuanced enough to pull off this balancing act.
My Interest In Keith's Mysterious Plan Is Keeping Me Invested In Happy Face
It's Clear He Has An Evil End Goal, But There's No Clear Sign Pointing To What It Is
Happy Face has a tough job throughout these first few episodes because what the series really needs more of is Dennis Quaid as the evil Keith Jesperson. However, with him stuck in prison and his appearance limited to a few clandestine phone calls and ominous threats, it's difficult to maintain the tension of his relationship with Melissa. I can feel the series building to more face time between father and daughter, but it's agony waiting for these moments. It's normal for a thriller series to build tension, but Happy Face could use more action across the board.
Ivy's (Tamera Tomakili) character opens up a bit throughout Happy Face episode 3, but I still don't believe her and Dr. Greg (David Harewood) as they keep insisting Melissa has a knack for investigating. So far, all we've seen is Melissa being easily emotionally swayed by everyone who talks to her and making some colossal missteps the other characters are quick to forgive her for. The glimmers of her moral compass have kept me rooting for her, but I'm most excited to see if Melissa will go down the dark path she's afraid of.
Already, she's repeating her parents' mistakes and missing the signs that Hazel's falling into something bad.
Hazel (Khiyla Aynne) is easily my least favorite character, but it's not entirely her fault. It's an unforgiving role, and having to sincerely scream "I hate you" while slamming the door would be too on-the-nose for any actor. I also feel for James Wolk as Ben, Melissa's husband, as their dynamic is leading to an eventual blowout and potential divorce, depending on how deep into this investigation Melissa is willing to go. Already, she's repeating her parents' mistakes and missing the signs that Hazel's falling into something bad.
However, the world outside of Melissa's immediate relationships is just as interesting as the familial drama. Happy Face has felt contained in these first three episodes, but the story needs to get bigger soon. The final moments of Happy Face make me think that Melissa's brother will enter the picture soon, and this will provide some much-needed perspective. Right now, Melissa feels justified in making her selfish decisions because she's the only one who knows what it's like to have Keith as a father. She needs a wake-up call if we're going to keep trusting her.
I Want To Have Faith In Melissa, But Happy Face Is Making It Hard
The Series Needs To Play Up The Generational Connection Between The Family Members
The twist ending of "Was It Worth It?" is emotionally rough for us and Melissa. No one deserves to have their private information exposed on the internet. However, Melissa's reaction to the blowout dates the story. As the audience, we're a little more desensitized about personal information being made public. Today, no one would be as naive as Melissa in thinking that they could appear on a talk show like that and not have their life put under a microscope. Her reactions to the consequences of her actions make me lose faith in her strength as a character.
There are hints that it's Melissa's empathy that will solve the case and make her a good investigator, proving her to be the opposite of her father. This begs the question of whether this means that Hazel will be more like Keith than Melissa would like to believe. Happy Face's strength has been the complex web of character dynamics and relationships and the emotional weight of what Keith has done that weighs on Melissa. However, the coming episodes need to provide some excitement to uplift the character-driven story.
New episodes of Happy Face are available to stream each Thursday on Paramount+.
Happy Face, set for release on March 20, 2025, centers on Melissa Reed, daughter of the infamous Happy Face Killer, Keith Jesperson. After years apart, Melissa is drawn into a tense investigation to exonerate an innocent man, confronting her father's legacy and her own identity.
- Network
- Paramount+
- Cast
- Annaleigh Ashford, Dennis Quaid, James Wolk, Tamera Tomakili, Khiyla Aynne, Benjamin Mackey
- Annaleigh Ashford gives her all to her performance as Melissa.
- New drama and stakes are introduced throughout the episode.
- Happy Face?s pacing drags, failing to keep our interest.
- Many of the most interesting characters are wasted.
