Vinyl Season 1 Episode 8 Recap

Vinyl (2016-)

Created by:  Mick Jagger, Terence Winter, Rich Cohen, Martin Scorsese
Starring:   Bobby Cannavale, Olivia Wilde, Ray Romano, Juno Temple, James Jagger

HBO's '70s music scene series still hasn't lived up to its potential. The second episode, more than the first is reluctant to start the story proper. The latest episode gave us unnecessary flashbacks in an attempt to build backstory, when the show needs to progress the plot. The first and second episodes should have been combined into one hour long episode. Check out my Vinyl season 1 recaps.

Plot: 
Richie Finestra (Bobby Cannavale) is a New York record executive in 1973, endeavoring to sign the biggest and best talent.

Review: Episode 8 E.A.B.
This show just doesn't stop, and thus neither do my episode recaps. Richie and the gang need a loan, and it's not looking good. They have no revenue or collateral, which is something upon which banks frown.

Richie pursues a loan from a former associate, which has more strings attached than he expected. I don't know how he didn't see it, I did.

Andrea is steering the ship and setting up Alibi Records. This is a story line that's actually interesting. She fires Andy which leads to her and Richie exchanging insults.

Zak's talent prospect Gary might pan out, and he signs him to a contract hoping for the next David Bowie. Zak's been by and large a joke, it would be nice to give him a foundation. He's still taking the rap for Richie losing ninety grand. I don't see Richie copping to that soon.

The Nasty Bits are in the studio, and it isn't going well. Lester Grimes steps in and lays it down, showing the Nasty Bits how to make music. He's the unsung hero, and it's about time the show gave him some screen time. If this show continues in subsequent seasons, Lester could and should have a big part in developing talent. It's a great scene that shows how smart he is and breaks down music. This is what the show should be doing. 
Kip wants to rework one of Lester's songs. Lester complies and the Nasty Bits create a song that isn't bad. They aren't much of artists, but they sure can copy.

The cops finally get Richie and start grilling him on the Buck Rodgers murder. It's not a bad scene, but it doesn't belong in this show. It's unnecessary drama in a show that should be about music. The cops have him dead to rights since his office is bugged. Hopefully they arrest him and put him away.