The Fire Burns On

Last updated
"The Fire Burns On"
The Curse episode
Episode no.Episode 6
Directed by Nathan Fielder
Written by
Cinematography byMaceo Bishop
Editing byAdam Locke-Norton
Original release dateDecember 17, 2023 (2023-12-17)
Running time38 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"It's a Good Day"		Next →
"Self-Exclusion"

"The Fire Burns On" is the sixth episode of the American television satire black comedy The Curse . The episode was written by series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, and directed by Fielder. It originally aired on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on December 15, 2023, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on December 17, 2023. The episode was screened at the Film at Lincoln Center. [1]

Contents

The series follows Whitney and Asher Siegel, a newly married couple as they try to conceive a child while co-starring on their problematic new HGTV show, Fliplanthropy. Also joining them on their show is Dougie Schecter, a producer who is trying to make the best possible version of the show in order to reach a wider audience. In the episode, Dougie decides to make some adjustments to the show after having a poor impression of a rough cut. Meanwhile, Asher once again questions if the curse is real.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.027 million household viewers and gained a 0.00 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received generally positive reviews from critics, although some questioned the series' pacing and aimlessness.

Plot

Dougie (Benny Safdie) and Whitney (Emma Stone) watch a rough cut of an episode for Fliplanthropy. Whitney dislikes the episode, deeming it "lifeless". Dougie agrees with her, explaining that there is no conflict nor drama at the center of the show. He suggests adding some voice-overs to build up conflict among Whitney and Asher (Nathan Fielder), improving the show's prospects. Whitney likes the idea, and even suggests changing the show's name to Green Queen, which Dougie approves.

Asher and Whitney prepare to film a segment at the local firehouse. During this, Dougie gets a firefighter to flirt with Whitney, which is caught on camera. While using the firehouse's bathroom, Asher finds raw chicken in the sink. He confronts Dougie over the event, but he states that he is not responsible for that, as he would have had cameras rolling if he was playing a prank on Asher. Unconvinced, Asher consults with a security guard to check footage in the firehouse. However, the video only proves Dougie's innocence as he never entered the bathroom. As a brief blackout happens due to the Siegels' new installed system, Asher once again questions if the curse is real.

As Abshir (Barkhad Abdi) leaves for a chiropractic adjustment, Asher visits Nala (Hikmah Warsame) to give her a tetherball set. As she plays, Asher decides to test the curse by picking screws and asking her to guess how many he has in a bucket. Nala correctly guesses every time, alarming Asher. He decides to go bolder and picks a lot of screws in his hand and asks her to guess. However, she is unable to answer, scared because Asher's hand is bleeding from gripping the screws too tightly.

Production

Development

The episode was written by series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, and directed by Fielder. This was Fielder's sixth writing credit, Safdie's sixth writing credit, and Fielder's third directing credit. [2]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "The Fire Burns On" was seen by an estimated 0.027 million household viewers and gained a 0.00 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research. This means that 0.00 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. [3] This was a 80% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.015 million viewers with a 0.00 in the 18-49 demographics. [3]

Critical reviews

"The Fire Burns On" received generally positive reviews from critics. Manuel Betancourt of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B" grade and wrote, "while Whitney is busy concocting ways to make Filanthropy (or Green Queen, now) ever more entertaining, Asher is... harassing a child. Truly a match made in HGTV heaven. No wonder Dougie, producer extraordinaire, sees a bright reality TV wreck of a future for them." [4]

Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone wrote, "Six episodes in, certain things are clear. Stone, Fielder, and Safdie are all giving interesting performances. And Fielder, Safdie, and the various Curse directors have created an atmosphere of relentless dread and discomfort. But what's it all in service of? And why is it taking so long for things to start happening?" [5]

Amanda Whiting of Vulture gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "I watched this interminable scene through my fingers. In truth, I barely watched this scene at all. When the credits finally rolled, I did what I imagine we all did. I picked up my phone and Googled “chiropractic adjustment death real or fake.”" [6] Caemeron Crain of TV Obsessive wrote, "It would be easy to say that the Siegels are being too idealistic in their vision for Española, and you could argue that their mistakes flow from that. Alternately, you could argue that they are just exploiting this community in order to turn a profit at the end of the day, once they’ve successfully gentrified it. Both of those explanations strike me as too simple, which is what makes The Curse so compelling. The answer lies somewhere in between." [7]

Esther Zuckerman of The New York Times wrote, "Maybe it's something more akin to concern. After all, as he says it, his left hand is dripping with blood. It's his own fault. He filled his palm with nails to test whether Nala has some sort of psychic powers. This is a sign of a man losing his grip with reality." [8] Fletcher Peters of The Daily Beast wrote, "Is there a curse? Is Asher losing it? I'd say we need answers, but I'm starting to get used to living in the chaotic limbo of Española." [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Medeski</span> American jazz keyboardist and composer

Anthony John Medeski is an American jazz keyboard player and composer. Medeski is a veteran of New York's 1990s avant-garde jazz scene and is known popularly as a member of Medeski Martin & Wood. He plays the acoustic piano and an eclectic array of keyboards, including the Hammond B3 organ, melodica, mellotron, clavinet, ARP String Ensemble, Wurlitzer electric piano, Moog Voyager Synthesizer, Wurlitzer 7300 Combo Organ, Vox Continental Baroque organ, and Yamaha CS-1 Synthesizer, among others. When playing acoustic piano, Medeski usually plays the Steinway piano and is listed as a Steinway Artist.

A curse is a spell or incantation intended to harm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Fielder</span> Canadian comedian (born 1983)

Nathan Joseph Fielder is a Canadian comedian, actor, writer, director, and producer. He is known for his awkward persona and involvement in works that blur reality and fiction. His accolades include an Independent Spirit Award and a WGA Award, as well as a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award. In 2023, he was featured on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oneohtrix Point Never</span> American musician

Daniel Lopatin, best known as Oneohtrix Point Never or OPN, is an American experimental electronic music producer, composer, singer, and songwriter. His music has utilized tropes from various musical genres and eras, sample-based composition, and complex MIDI production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safdie brothers</span> American film directors

Joshua Safdie and Benjamin Safdie are independent American filmmakers and actors based in New York City, who frequently collaborate on their films. They are best known for writing and directing the crime thriller films Good Time (2017), starring Robert Pattinson, and Uncut Gems (2019), starring Adam Sandler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randall Dunn</span> United States record engineer and rock musician

Randall Dunn is an American record producer, audio engineer, composer, and musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barkhad Abdi</span> Somali-American actor

Barkhad Abdi is a Somali Majeerteen actor. He made his acting debut as the pirate Abduwali Muse in the biographical drama film Captain Phillips (2013), which earned him a British Academy Film Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, along with Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

Part 3 (<i>Twin Peaks</i>) 3rd episode of the 3rd season of Twin Peaks

"Part 3", also known as "Call for Help", is the third episode of the third season of the American mystery television series Twin Peaks. It was written by series creators Mark Frost and David Lynch, directed by Lynch, and stars Kyle MacLachlan. "Part 3" was released on Showtime's streaming service Showtime Anytime, along with Part 4, on May 21, 2017, immediately after the broadcast of the double premiere; it was eventually broadcast on Showtime on May 28, 2017, and was seen by an audience of 195,000 viewers in the United States. It received critical acclaim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elara Pictures</span> American film production company

Elara Pictures is an American independent film production and television production company founded by Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie, Ronald Bronstein and Sebastian Bear-McClard.

<i>The Curse</i> (American TV series) American black comedy television series

The Curse is an American satirical black comedy thriller television series created and written by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, and starring Emma Stone, Fielder, and Safdie. It was filmed from June to October 2022 and premiered on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on November 10, 2023, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on November 12. Its first three episodes premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 12, 2023. The first season concluded on January 12, 2024, receiving critical acclaim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny Safdie</span> American actor and director

Benjamin Safdie is an American film director, screenwriter, actor, and film editor best known for working with his older brother Josh as a filmmaker. His directorial works include Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), and Uncut Gems (2019). Transitioning towards acting, Safdie was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his role in Good Time and has since taken on roles in films such as Licorice Pizza (2021), Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. and Oppenheimer. He co-created, co-wrote and starred in the television show The Curse (2023).

"Land of Enchantment" is the series premiere of the American television satire black comedy The Curse. The episode was written by series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, and directed by Fielder. It originally aired on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on November 10, 2023, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on November 12, 2023. The episode was screened at the 2023 New York Film Festival.

"Pressure's Looking Good So Far" is the second episode of the American television satire black comedy The Curse. The episode was written by co-executive producer Carrie Kemper, from a story by Kemper and series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, and directed by David Zellner and Nathan Zellner. It originally aired on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on November 17, 2023, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on November 19, 2023. The episode was screened at the 2023 New York Film Festival.

"Questa Lane" is the third episode of the American television satire black comedy The Curse. The episode was written by series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, and directed by David Zellner and Nathan Zellner. It originally aired on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on November 24, 2023, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on November 26, 2023. The episode was screened at the 2023 New York Film Festival.

"Under the Big Tree" is the fourth episode of the American television satire black comedy The Curse. The episode was written by series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie and directed by David Zellner and Nathan Zellner. It originally aired on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on December 1, 2023, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on December 3, 2023. The episode was screened at the Film at Lincoln Center.

"It's a Good Day" is the fifth episode of the American television satire black comedy The Curse. The episode was written by series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, and directed by Fielder. It originally aired on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on December 8, 2023, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on December 10, 2023. The episode was screened at the Film at Lincoln Center.

"Self-Exclusion" is the seventh episode of the American television satire black comedy The Curse. The episode was written by series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, and directed by Fielder. It originally aired on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on December 22, 2023, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on December 24, 2023. The episode was screened at the Film at Lincoln Center.

"Down and Dirty" is the eighth episode of the American television satire black comedy The Curse. The episode was written by series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, from a story by Fielder, Safdie and co-executive producer Carrie Kemper, and directed by Fielder. It originally aired on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on December 29, 2023, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on December 31, 2023. The episode was screened at the Film at Lincoln Center.

"Young Hearts" is the ninth episode of the American television satire black comedy The Curse. The episode was written by series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie and directed by Fielder. It originally aired on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on January 5, 2024, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on January 7, 2024. The episode was screened at the Film at Lincoln Center.

"Green Queen" is the tenth episode and season finale of the American television satire black comedy The Curse. The episode was written by series creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie and directed by Fielder. It originally aired on streaming and on-demand for all Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers on January 12, 2024, before making its on-air debut on Showtime on January 14, 2024. The episode was screened at the Film at Lincoln Center.

References

  1. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (September 26, 2023). "A24 Series 'The Curse' with Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder, and Benny Safdie Sets Release Date". IndieWire . Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  2. ↑ "The Curse – WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West . Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "The Curse: Season One Ratings". TV Series Finale. November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  4. ↑ Betancourt, Manuel (December 15, 2023). "The Curse recap: Bye-bye Flipanthropy, hello Green Queen". The A.V. Club . Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  5. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (December 15, 2023). "'The Curse' Is a Carnival of Misery. But Where Is It All Going?". Rolling Stone . Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  6. ↑ Whiting, Amanda (December 15, 2023). "The Curse Recap: Tilt-A-Whirl". Vulture . Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  7. ↑ Crain, Caemeron (December 15, 2023). "The Curse S1E6 Recap: I Think You Need a Band-Aid". TV Obsessive. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  8. ↑ Zuckerman, Esther (December 15, 2023). "'The Curse' Season 1, Episode 6 Recap: Guessing Game". The New York Times . Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  9. ↑ Peters, Fletcher (December 15, 2023). "'The Curse' Plays a Game of Chicken With a Pile of Chicken". The Daily Beast . Retrieved December 17, 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.