Episode one of Florida Man opens with Mike Valentine (Edgar Ramírez) in a group therapy session. He is talking about his gambling addiction and how it has ruined his life. Mike lost his job as a cop, his wife, and his home. He is now living in a small apartment in Philadelphia, and he is struggling to make ends meet.
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Mike’s life takes a turn for the worse when he gets a call from his old boss, Moss Yankov (Emory Cohen). Moss is a Russian mobster, and he owes Mike a lot of money. Moss tells Mike that he has a job for him: he needs Mike to find his girlfriend, Delly West (Abbey Lee). Delly has run away from Moss, and he is willing to pay Mike a lot of money to find her.
Mike reluctantly agrees to help Moss find Delly. He travels to Florida, where Delly was last seen. He starts by talking to Delly’s friends and family, but no one seems to know where she is. Mike then starts to investigate Moss’s past, and he soon realizes that Moss is not who he seems to be.
Mike’s investigation leads him to a dark and dangerous world of crime and corruption. He soon realizes that he is in over his head, but he is determined to find Delly and bring Moss to justice.
Mike’s journey takes him to some of the seedier parts of Florida, including a strip club, a casino, and a backwoods trailer park. He meets a cast of colorful characters, including a stripper named Amber (Christina Hendricks), a casino manager named Sonny (Shane Harper), and a sheriff’s deputy named Andy (Sebastian Stan).
Along the way, Mike learns more about Delly and Moss. He discovers that Delly is a troubled young woman who has been running from her past for years. He also learns that Moss is a ruthless and dangerous man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
In the episode’s climax, Mike confronts Moss in a warehouse. Moss tries to kill Mike, but Mike is able to overpower him. Mike then calls the police, and Moss is under arrest.
The episode ends with Mike returning to Philadelphia. He is still struggling with his gambling addiction, but he is determined to turn his life around. He knows that he has a lot of work to do, but he is confident that he can overcome his addiction and start a new life.
Here are some additional thoughts on the episode:
- Edgar Ramírez is excellent as Mike Valentine. He brings a lot of depth and complexity to the role. Mike is a flawed character, but Ramírez makes him sympathetic and relatable.
- The supporting cast is also very good. Emory Cohen is particularly good as Moss Yankov. He brings a lot of menace and charisma to the role.
- The writing is sharp and witty. The dialogue is natural and believable, and the characters are well-developed.
- The direction is stylish and atmospheric. The episode looks great, and it perfectly captures the atmosphere of Florida.
- The episode is a strong start to the series. It is well-made, well-acted, and well-written. I am excited to see where it goes from here.
The episode also raises some interesting questions about addiction, redemption, and the nature of good and evil. It is a complex and thought-provoking story that will stay with you long after you have finished watching it.