Alibi (Vinyl)

Last updated
"Alibi"
Vinyl episode
Episode no.Episode 10
Directed by Allen Coulter
Written by Terence Winter
Produced by
Featured music
Cinematography by Reed Morano
Editing byTim Streeto
Original release dateApril 17, 2016 (2016-04-17)
Running time51 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Rock and Roll Queen"		Next →
—

"Alibi" is the tenth and final episode of the American period drama television series Vinyl . The episode was written by series creator Terence Winter, and directed by executive producer Allen Coulter. It originally aired on HBO on April 17, 2016.

Contents

The series is set in New York City in the 1970s. It focuses on Richie Finestra, American Century Records founder and president, whose passion for music and discovering talent has gone by the wayside. With his American Century Records on the verge of being sold, a life-altering event rekindles Finestra's professional fire, but it may leave his personal life in ruins. In the episode, Richie works with the authorities in order to take Galasso down.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.730 million household viewers and gained a 0.20 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mixed reviews from critics, with praise to the closure to the Galasso storyline, but criticism towards the characters, narrative and pacing.

The series was originally renewed for a second season in February 2016. [1] However, on June 22, 2016, HBO reversed its decision, making the episode the series finale. [2]

Plot

Richie (Bobby Cannavale) meets with the Assistant U.S. Attorney to accept the deal in taking Galasso (Armen Garo) town. However, he is informed that the deal does not grand him protection. During this, Zak (Ray Romano) meets with Galasso, trying to get him in helping him in taking Richie out of American Century.

Galasso and his right hand man, Tony Del Greco, visit American Century's offices. Galasso reveals that Zak betrayed Richie, and he does not intend to help Zak in his request. He warns them to maintain the peace, also disclosing that he owns part of the Yankee Stadium as a front. This conversation is recorded for the detectives, and is used to arrest many of his associates. Meanwhile, Skip (J. C. MacKenzie), Scott (P. J. Byrne) and Julie (Max Casella) discover that the disco music is performing extremely well, as Clark (Jack Quaid) and Jorge (Christian Navarro) have convinced many clubs in using their CDs.

As the Nasty Bits prepare for their performance at the Academy of Music, Kip (James Jagger) feels more distant from Jamie (Juno Temple) following their threesome with Alex. When Jamie claims she loves Alex, Kip decides to abandon the band and evict her from his apartment. Jamie asks Richie for help, but he demands that she find her way out of it.

Richie and Zak are summoned to a warehouse by Galasso, who is angry about the arrests in his front. He is convinced they had a role in the raid, as it happened in close proximity to their discussion at the office. Richie then blames Corso (Bo Dietl) for the raid, who in turn confesses about Buck Rogers' death. Del Greco murders Corso and spares Richie and Zak. Richie asks Lester (Ato Essandoh) to use one of his songs as he is still the credited owner, forced to pay a substancial amount of money.

Lester and Jamie get to Kip's apartment, finding that he overdosed. They are forced to shower him and get him in time for the Nasty Bits' performance. Richie manages to get Kip revived in time, but fires Jamie for her role in the band's problems. The Nasty Bits fail to incite excitement in the crowd, but attract interest when the police arrive to stop the event for their controversial lyrics, which was planned by Richie. Richie then meets with his handler at a bar to disclose more information on Galasso but omitting Corso's murder. The bar owner, Hilly Kristal (David Vadim) tells Richie he plans to rename the bar to CBGB. Richie returns to the offices, where he reads a glowing review of the performance. He then states that he is officially launching Alibi Records, and invites the executives to vandalize their offices to celebrate.

Production

Development

The episode was written by series creator Terence Winter, and directed by executive producer Allen Coulter. This was Winter's third writing credit, and Coulter's third directing credit. [3]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Alibi" was seen by an estimated 0.730 million household viewers with a 0.20 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.20 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. [4] This was a slight decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.753 million household viewers with a 0.24 in the 18-49 demographics. [5]

Critical reviews

"Alibi" received mixed reviews from critics. Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "good" 7.4 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict, "Vinyl's season finale briefly held some suspense when it seemed like Zak might get murdered, but for the most part it was one of the smoothest seasonal pills to swallow so far. Disappointingly so, in some regards. With Devon gone completely, it felt like things maybe lined up too nicely for Richie and his revolving door of record label woes." [6]

Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "At the end of the finale, Richie holds a party to launch American Century's sub-label, Alibi Records, and invites all the party guests to cover his office walls with graffiti – the more profane, the better – as a way to symbolize the way the company has transformed how it does business. But spray paint on the walls is only cosmetic. Both American Century and Vinyl still need a lot of work, and may never be able to escape their old reputations." [7] Dan Caffrey of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B–" grade and wrote, "At the rate Vinyl was going for a while, 'Alibi' could have just as easily ended in a shootout. With the drawing board now wiped clean of blood and a great deal of the coke residue, hopefully that kind of subject matter will soon be in the show’s past." [8]

Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "If we've learned anything about Richie Finestra by now, it's that he has an ear for talent, a knack for hustling, and a nose for uncountable kilos of cocaine. But does he really have the guts to become a narc?" [9] Noel Murray of Vulture gave the episode a 3 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Despite all the distractions and dead ends, Vinyl still could someday become the show that takes the power of music seriously and finds drama in the lives of the businessmen who try to tap into that power, both for profit and for their egos. 'Alibi' isn't a great season-ender, but when it's clicking, it has a clear vision. This is how a corrupt business like the record industry inspires the world." [10]

Gavin Edwards of The New York Times wrote, "The Galasso plotlines on Vinyl have been fitfully entertaining, but they're the show's fundamental error. The creators didn't have enough faith in the entertainment value of the music business. Too often, the record label has been treated like a colorful backdrop for one more organized-crime story. Sure, there have been mobbed-up record labels in the real world — but when the series dwells on Galasso, it feels like we're eating the leftovers stashed at the back of Martin Scorsese's refrigerator." [11] Dan Martin of The Guardian wrote, "After a season that's spent most of its time portraying Richie Finestra as a coked-out monster of a man, this finale finds him coming out as something approaching triumphant. Which rather begs the question: what was the point?" [12]

Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "HBO's penultimate episodes are traditionally better than their finales, but 'Alibi' is a cathartic closing. A lot of this comes from the music they play. It's hard not to get caught up in the energy of the music and let that add to the excitement of the victory. Sure, I'm gonna miss Bo Dietl, but it was worth it just to see the office repainted." [13] Robert Ham of Paste wrote, "Nor did the big victories in this episode feel earned or exciting. I've long since ceased caring about the fate of Indigo, or the two dudes pimping their records to the DJs of New York. And the big moment with the Nasty Bits was just plain stupid. For a show based in a rich cultural goldmine in one of the most amazing cities in the world... Vinyl is tone deaf, dumb, and blind." [14]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Sopranos</i> American crime drama television series (1999–2007)

The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The series revolves around Tony Soprano, a New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster who struggles to balance his family life with his role as the leader of a criminal organization, which he reluctantly explores during therapy sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. The series also features Tony's various family members, Mafia colleagues, and rivals in prominent roles—most notably his wife Carmela and his protégé and distant cousin Christopher Moltisanti.

<i>Six Feet Under</i> (TV series) American drama television series

Six Feet Under is an American drama television series created and produced by Alan Ball. It premiered on the premium network HBO in the United States on June 3, 2001, and ended on August 21, 2005, spanning 63 episodes across five seasons. It depicts the lives of the Fisher family, who run a funeral home in Los Angeles, along with their friends and lovers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Wells (filmmaker)</span> American producer, writer and director (born 1956)

John Marcum Wells is an American producer, writer, and director. He is best known for his role as showrunner and executive producer of the television series ER, Third Watch, The West Wing, Southland, Shameless, Animal Kingdom, and American Woman, as well as the miniseries Maid and the upcoming series Rescue: HI-Surf. His company, John Wells Productions, is currently based at Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, California. Wells is also a labor leader, having served as president of the Writers Guild of America, West from 1999 to 2001 and from 2009 to 2011. Wells serves on the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) Board of Governors. In 2011, he developed the series Shameless on Showtime, which ran for eleven seasons ending in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen Coulter</span> American television and film director

Allen Coulter is an American television and film director, credited with a number of successful television programs. He has directed two feature films, Hollywoodland, a film regarding the questionable death of George Reeves starring Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, and Ben Affleck, and the 2010 film Remember Me.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terence Winter</span> American television and film writer

Terence Patrick Winter is an American writer and producer of television and film. He is the creator, writer, and executive producer of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014). Before creating Boardwalk Empire, Winter was a writer and executive producer for the HBO television series The Sopranos, from the show's second to sixth and final season (2000–2007).

<i>Looking</i> (TV series) 2014 American comedy-drama television series

Looking is an American comedy-drama television series which ran on HBO from January 19, 2014, to July 23, 2016. Created by Michael Lannan and produced by David Marshall Grant, Sarah Condon, and Andrew Haigh, it stars Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez, Murray Bartlett, Lauren Weedman, Russell Tovey, and Raúl Castillo. The show follows the experiences of Patrick, Agustín, and Dom, three gay friends who live and work in modern-day San Francisco. It was the network's first series centered around the lives of gay men.

<i>Game of Thrones</i> American fantasy drama TV series (2011–2019)

Game of Thrones is an American fantasy drama television series created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for HBO. It is an adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire, a series of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin, the first of which is A Game of Thrones. The show premiered on HBO in the United States on April 17, 2011, and concluded on May 19, 2019, with 73 episodes broadcast over eight seasons.

<i>True Detective</i> American TV series

True Detective is an American anthology crime drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto. The series, broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States, premiered on January 12, 2014. Each season of the series is structured as a self-contained narrative, employing new cast ensembles, and following various sets of characters and settings.

<i>The Sopranos</i> (season 2) Television show season

The second season of the American crime drama series The Sopranos aired on HBO from January 16 to April 9, 2000. The second season was released on DVD in region 1 on November 6, 2001.

<i>Vinyl</i> (TV series) American period television drama

Vinyl is an American period drama television series created by Mick Jagger, Martin Scorsese, Rich Cohen and Terence Winter. The series stars Bobby Cannavale as Richie Finestra, a record executive in the 1970s. It premiered on HBO on February 14, 2016, and concluded on April 17, 2016.

"Pilot" is the series premiere of the American period drama television series Vinyl. The episode was written by Terence Winter and George Mastras from a story by Rich Cohen, Mick Jagger, Martin Scorsese and Winter, and directed by Scorsese. It originally aired on HBO on February 14, 2016.

"Yesterday Once More" is the second episode of the American period drama television series Vinyl. The episode was written by series creator Terence Winter, and directed by executive producer Allen Coulter. It originally aired on HBO on February 21, 2016.

"Whispered Secrets" is the third episode of the American period drama television series Vinyl. The episode was written by Jonathan Tropper, Debora Cahn, and Adam Rapp, and directed by Mark Romanek. It originally aired on HBO on February 28, 2016.

"The Racket" is the fourth episode of the American period drama television series Vinyl. The episode was written by Debora Cahn and directed by S. J. Clarkson. It originally aired on HBO on March 6, 2016.

"He in Racist Fire" is the fifth episode of the American period drama television series Vinyl. The episode was written by Adam Rapp and directed by Peter Sollett. It originally aired on HBO on March 13, 2016.

"Rock and Roll Queen" is the ninth episode of the American period drama television series Vinyl. The episode was written by Debora Cahn and directed by Carl Franklin. It originally aired on HBO on April 10, 2016.

Succession is an American satirical black comedy-drama television series created by Jesse Armstrong that aired for four seasons on HBO from June 3, 2018, to May 28, 2023. The series centers on the Roy family, the owners of global media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar RoyCo, and their fight for control of the company amidst uncertainty about the health of the family's patriarch.

"Cyclone" is the sixth episode of the American period drama television series Vinyl. The episode was written by Carl Capotorto and Erin Cressida Wilson and directed by Nicole Kassell. It originally aired on HBO on March 20, 2016.

"The King and I" is the seventh episode of the American period drama television series Vinyl. The episode was written by David Matthews and directed by Allen Coulter. It originally aired on HBO on March 27, 2016.

"E.A.B." is the eighth episode of the American period drama television series Vinyl. The episode was written by Riccardo DiLoreto and Michael Mitnick and directed by Jon S. Baird. It originally aired on HBO on April 3, 2016.

References

  1. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (February 18, 2016). "HBO Renews 'Vinyl' for Season 2 After One Episode". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  2. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (June 22, 2016). "'Vinyl' Canceled: HBO Scraps Plans For Revamped Season 2". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Vinyl - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  4. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (April 19, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.17.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  5. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (April 12, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.10.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  6. ↑ Fowler, Matt (April 17, 2016). "Vinyl: "Alibi" Review". IGN . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  7. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (April 17, 2016). "Can 'Vinyl' be fixed after such a disappointing first season?". HitFix . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  8. ↑ Caffrey, Dan (April 17, 2016). "Vinyl works to clean up its own mess in the first-season finale". The A.V. Club . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  9. ↑ Greenblatt, Leah (April 18, 2016). "Vinyl finale recap: Alibi". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  10. ↑ Murray, Noel (April 17, 2016). "Vinyl Season-Finale Recap: The Closing Number". Vulture . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  11. ↑ Edwards, Gavin (April 17, 2016). "'Vinyl' Season 1 Finale: As Confused as Ever". The New York Times . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  12. ↑ Martin, Dan (April 18, 2016). "Vinyl finale recap – a show bizarrely owning up to its mistakes". The Guardian . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  13. ↑ Sokol, Tony (April 18, 2016). "Vinyl: Alibi Review". Den of Geek . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  14. ↑ Ham, Robert (April 18, 2016). "The 6 Most Ridiculous Things From Vinyl's Season One Finale: "Alibi"". Paste . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.