This publish comprises main spoilers for the Apple TV+ sequence “Sugar.” Like, actually gigantic spoilers.
The web has been buzzing with potential theories about John Sugar (Colin Farrell) and his actual identification for weeks, however the latest episode of “Sugar” confirms one of many largest guesses that is been floating round for some time: Personal investigator John Sugar is an alien.
“[Character] has been an alien the entire time” is correct up there with “[character] has been lifeless the entire time,” or “this complete present has been a dream” when it comes to essentially the most paradigm-shifting, world-shaking reveals a tv sequence can execute, however exhibits not often have the audacity to offer their audiences with such a large misdirect. The final time I can consider a present pulling off a twist this massive was in 2017, when “The Good Place” revealed that its characters have been truly within the Dangerous Place for everything of season 1. However even that twist felt prefer it was inside the bounds of the universe by which that present was working; this one feels so monumental as a result of it completely adjustments the DNA of what this present even is.
For many of its runtime, “Sugar” episode 6 merely felt like a extra suspenseful, action-forward episode than the 5 that preceded it. However after my substantial shock on the closing shot, by which Sugar reverts to his true alien kind in entrance of a mirror in his lodge room, lastly started to dissipate, some items started to fall into place. Nagging observations grew to become clear, and lingering questions have been abruptly answered. Listed here are just some of the important thing moments within the present — some delicate and a few not-so-subtle — that, in hindsight, have been tipping us off to Sugar’s alien heritage.
Sugar’s opening narration has a twin which means
“I do not like hurting individuals. It is true,” Sugar tells the viewers within the first traces of his voiceover narration within the pilot episode. “This world has greater than sufficient struggling with out additional contributions from me.” The phrases “individuals” and “this world” tackle an entire new tenor while you notice Sugar’s an alien. He is telling us who he’s, albeit extraordinarily subtly, proper from the beginning.
Colin Farrell’s John Sugar cannot get drunk
Within the first episode, after matching Melanie drink for drink at a bar, she complains that he is stone-cold sober whereas she’s completely drunk. “I’ve a … unusual metabolism,” Sugar explains. His physique “processes alcohol at a charge 50 occasions sooner than regular,” which prevents him from principally ever getting drunk. On the time, I chalked it as much as a personality quirk — one thing to additional subvert the trope of the down-and-out, drunk P.I. who ceaselessly populated the noir movies Sugar loves a lot. However after the reveal, this quirk makes far more sense. “Unusual metabolism,” certainly.
(In that very same dialog, Melanie says she enjoys sci-fi motion pictures, and he or she additionally tells Sugar there’s extra to him than meets the attention. “You have got secrets and techniques, and you retain issues hidden,” she says. Madam, you don’t have any thought!)
Sugar’s drug use is not what it appears
On the finish of the pilot episode, we see Sugar inject himself with a substance and lay on his lodge mattress. Naturally, I assumed this was the identical kind of drug use that always pops up in status exhibits like this, akin to how Clive Owen’s character self-medicated with heroin in “The Knick.” As that injection scene performed out, I bear in mind considering that the syringe Sugar used appeared slightly unconventional, however I did not give it any extra thought than that — till we see what actually occurs when he injects himself on the finish of episode 6. The props division hinted at one thing being “off” with the design of that syringe, however did not overplay their hand. Effectively finished.
He stopped these Dobermans fairly simply in Sugar episode 6
As Sugar approaches Stallings’ home in episode 6, the villain’s assault canine come roaring across the nook, barking furiously. However as quickly as they lock eyes with our protagonist, he quietly shushes them and stops them of their tracks. Positive, perhaps Sugar has merely watched plenty of “Canine Whisperer” … or perhaps these canine react that approach as a result of my man is a mom effin’ alien.
That blood bag appeared awfully unusual
In episode 6, when Henry is treating Sugar’s wounds, Henry sends Melanie out to the drug retailer to buy some provides. As quickly as she leaves, he locks the toilet door with Sugar inside and tosses a blood bag down on the counter — one which not solely has an indecipherable label on it, however the blood itself contained in the bag appears … virtually alive, someway. It would simply be air bubbles contained in the bag, however then once more, it may very well be that Sugar’s alien blood operates slightly in another way than ours. It is a fast shot, proving as soon as once more that “Sugar” is just not a present which you can watch passively if you wish to observe all of its probably explosive particulars.
Sugar appeared to dam a bullet together with his hand
Through the massive confrontation with Stallings and his crew, Sugar is on his knees with a gun close to his head, about to be executed on the lounge ground. However when Stallings offers the order to considered one of his cronies to fireplace, Sugar principally slaps the bullet out of the air, redirecting it throughout the room earlier than killing everybody. That is the kind of factor I might usually have rewound, as a result of it undoubtedly stood out as a “wait a second, how precisely did that occur?” second, but it surely’s a testomony to the writing (from “Raised By Wolves” alum Donald Joh and “Breaking Dangerous” alum Sam Catlin) and the route of the episode (by “Metropolis of God” helmer Fernando Meirelles) that the story held my consideration lengthy sufficient to override that impulse and take me by way of all the best way to the tip, the place, in fact, the massive reveal occurs.
(Within the opening minutes of the primary episode, Sugar additionally snatches a fly out of the air with chopsticks; on the time, I kind of rolled my eyes at that, however in hindsight, it was giving us a glimpse into the preternatural pace he would use in that bullet scene.)
Will Sugar be capable of stick the touchdown?
The artistic group behind “Sugar” simply took one of many largest potential swings they might with this story. Now, with two episodes left within the season, we simply want to attend and see if their swing truly connects. Personally, I am rooting for ’em.
New episodes of “Sugar” debut on Apple TV+ each Friday.
