The Slap (American TV series)

The Slap is an American drama television miniseries, which aired on NBC from February 12 to April 2, 2015. It is an adaptation of the Australian series of the same name, which was based on Christos Tsiolkas' 2008 novel of the same name. Each episode tells the events of the aftermath of a birthday party from the perspective of a different character. Jon Robin Baitz wrote the teleplay and Lisa Cholodenko directed the pilot episode.

The Slap
Also known asNBC's The Slap
GenreDrama
Based on
Developed by
Starring
Narrated byVictor Garber
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
ProducerRudd Simmons
CinematographyFrankie G. DeMarco
EditorPlummy Tucker
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time42–43 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseFebruary 12 (2015-02-12) –
April 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)

Plot

The miniseries revolves around the aftermath of a birthday party for a middle-aged city employee where Harry Apostolou slaps someone else's misbehaving child, Hugo, after he attempts to hit another child with a bat and kicks Harry in the leg. Hugo's mother, Rosie, insists on criminal charges, claiming that Harry's slap has caused Hugo PTSD. Though Rosie's diagnosis is later undermined when Hugo mentions how much he misses seeing Harry, the case slowly makes its way to court. Each episode tells the story from the perspective of a different character.

Cast
Promotional poster
  • Peter Sarsgaard as Hector Apostolou,[1] a 40-year-old assistant deputy commissioner
  • Thandie Newton as Aisha Apostolou,[2] Hector's wife and a clinic director
  • Ashley Aufderheide as Melissa Apostolou, daughter of Hector and Aisha
  • Khalid Alzouma as Adam Apostolou, older brother of Melissa
  • Uma Thurman as Anouk Latham,[3] Hector's childhood friend and a television executive producer
  • Dylan Schombing as Hugo Weschler, the receiver of the titular slap
  • Melissa George as Rosie Weschler,[2] mother of Hugo, the slappee
  • Thomas Sadoski as Gary Weschler,[4] father of Hugo, the slappee
  • Zachary Quinto as Harry Apostolou,[5] Hector's cousin, a rare-auto dealer and the deliverer of the titular slap
  • Marin Ireland as Sandi Apostolou, Harry's wife
  • Owen Tanzer as Rocco Apostolou, Harry's pre-teen son
  • Sofia Regan as Melody, an employee of Harry's
  • Brian Cox as Manolis Apostolou,[5] Hector's father
  • Maria Tucci as Koula Apostolou, Hector's mother
  • Michael Nouri as Thanasis Korkoulis,[6] Harry's attorney
  • Makenzie Leigh as Connie,[7] a babysitter who watches Hector and Aisha's children
  • Lucas Hedges as Ritchie Joanou (née Collins),[8] Connie's best friend
  • Ellen Adair as Bridget Saltire, the ADA assigned to the case
  • Penn Badgley as Jamie,[8] Anouk's much younger actor boyfriend
  • Molly Price as Fiona Collins, Ritchie's mother
  • Blythe Danner as Virginia Latham, Anouk's mother
  • Victor Garber as the narrator (voice)

Production

The miniseries was filmed on location in New York City (substituting for the novel's setting of Melbourne) and features Melissa George, who also played the role of Rosie in the original 2011 Australian adaptation of The Slap novel. Direction was by Michael Morris, Lisa Cholodenko, and Ken Olin. The series was written by Jon Robin Baitz, Walter F. Parkes, and Christos Tsiolkas. Costumes were designed by Jennifer von Mayrhauser and art direction was by Alison Ford. Mary-Louise Parker was originally cast as Anouk,[1] but she had to drop out due to pneumonia and was replaced by Uma Thurman.[3]

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Hector"Lisa CholodenkoFebruary 12, 2015 (2015-02-12)5.13[9]
On his 40th birthday, Hector, an assistant deputy commissioner, struggles with getting older, advancement at his job, and his attraction to his teenage babysitter, Connie, who works at his wife's medical clinic. During his birthday party with family and friends, his cousin Harry slaps Hugo, another couple's out-of-control child, for misbehaving, causing an impact on everyone's lives moving forward.
2"Harry"Ken OlinFebruary 19, 2015 (2015-02-19)3.96[10]
Two NYPD detectives speak to Hector about an investigation regarding the incident with Harry. Harry confronts Sandi and tries to ask if she spoke with Hector in secret, which she denies. Hector and Harry pay Gary and Rosie a visit in hopes that things will go well, but the mediation goes sour and after Harry storms off, Rosie calls the police. Rocco gets into a fight with a teammate from his basketball team. Rocco explains to Harry that he needed to stand up for himself, to which Harry replies that learning how to be assertive with control is something that the two need to learn. The NYPD detectives meet up with Harry and let him know that charges were pressed, and that he will be arraigned in criminal court. Hector learns of Harry's arrest and goes to the court where he learns that Rosie accused Harry of assaulting the family by throwing a chair. Bail is posted, and Harry confides to Hector that this matter will be fought.
3"Anouk"Michael MorrisFebruary 26, 2015 (2015-02-26)3.67[11]
Anouk, Aisha, and Rosie discuss Harry's arrest. Rosie is happy about it, but Anouk suggests she drop the lawsuit. Rosie insinuates that Anouk is saying this because she doesn't have children, which causes Anouk to visit her mother, Virginia. After seeing Jamie perform at a nightclub, Anouk vomits in the bathroom and realizes she is pregnant. At dinner with Virginia, Anouk and Jamie learn that she is selling Anouk's home in order to move to Scotland, which upsets Anouk. The next day, Anouk breaks up with Jamie and contemplates having an abortion. Aisha tries to talk her out of it. Anouk learns Virginia has brain cancer and plans to visit a treatment center in Edinburgh, hence her plans to move to Scotland. Anouk confirms her pregnancy to Virginia and reconciles with Jamie.
4"Manolis"Michael MorrisMarch 5, 2015 (2015-03-05)3.92[12]
Manolis is disturbed by the events going with his family and tries to resolve the situation. Rosie, Gary and Aisha meet with the District Attorney, who bluntly tells them that they don't have a case unless they can prove Harry has a longer history of being violent. Aisha looks very upset and stops talking. Hector is aghast at a sleazy but effective attorney who earns Harry's trust and business with his plan to ruin Rosie and Gary by revealing details of what they're really like. Later, when Manolis asks her for help in getting the case against Harry dismissed, Aisha tells him that several years ago, she treated Harry's wife Sandi after she came in with severe bruising to her face. Manolis confronts Harry, who denies ever hitting Sandi but hints that they did have other confrontations that could have resulted in injuries. Manolis and his wife reflect on how to let their children handle events now that they're adults, and reunites with his oldest and best friend.
5"Connie"[13]Ken OlinMarch 12, 2015 (2015-03-12)2.74[14]
Connie learns from her friend Richie that he has photos from the party where the slap occurred—and also showing her kissing Hector. She asks him to delete the photos, and after tries to inspire Hector to be romantic but he bluntly says their affair, and her time as their babysitter, is over. A hurt Connie meets up with the boyfriend of her late "wild" absentee father Malcolm and learns about his irresponsible lifestyle. Meanwhile, the prosecutor and family of Hugo appear in a conference with the defendant Harry and his attorney, with the judge mediating. The defendant wants the case dismissed claiming it was self defense, while the prosecutor refuses to back down, claiming the defendant is a child abuser. The judge assigns the case for trial. Connie sees Rosie later, and finds her crying because the judge has ordered Hugo to have a psychological evaluation. Connie then tells her they still have the photos, which do not support Harry's version of what happened.
6"Aisha"Ken OlinMarch 19, 2015 (2015-03-19)3.18[15]
A Greek Public Relations expert wants Aisha, because she is not a relative, not Greek, and not a really close friend, to appear as a character witness for Harry. He feels that what they need is a respectable member of the community who is a physician to take the stand in his case and say that Harry is a good man whose deeds have helped kids and that he is a decent man. He points out that the criminal trial is just the beginning; if Harry is convicted, the child's family will use it as evidence to start a multi-million-dollar civil suit for damages. Aisha, who knows for a fact that Harry did cut Sandi with a punch to the temple years ago, weighs this while she nearly has a fling with a colleague, and then she and Hector sadly confess to each other the way they haven't been truly faithful.
7"Rosie"Michael MorrisMarch 26, 2015 (2015-03-26)3.22[16]
As Harry's criminal trial approaches, Rosie's life begins to completely fall apart. Hugo is expelled from school. Gary gets angry at Rosie's behavior. When Rosie tries to get Ritchie to turn over the photos, Ritchie and his mom both tell Rosie to leave and not come back. Harry's lawyer Thanassis asks him if they can use some damaging personal information about Rosie that his researchers found, but Harry is reluctant. Rosie asks Harry to accept a "no contest" plea that will result in no jail time and a small fine. Harry turns her down. After being drilled by the DA about his abusive treatment of Sandi, Harry accepts Thanassis's line of defense. Gary is horrified at Rosie's treatment and tells the DA about Ritchie's photos so that he will have to produce them; at the same time, Ritchie is at home deleting images from a video file card.
8"Ritchie"[17]Ken OlinApril 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)3.13[18]
A police detective serves a warrant for Richie's laptop in order to obtain the photos. Ritchie confirms that he deleted them, but willingly surrenders his laptop and flash drive. Thanassis reveals his strategy to Harry: he will get the pictures thrown out and leak new information he acquired about Ritchie's past. His past is published by a New York newspaper as an "only in New York" story. With his past in print, Ritchie attempts suicide, but Gary calls an ambulance and Ritchie recovers. When questioned by Thanassis, Ritchie explains that he deleted the photos because they were photographs of people he cared about behaving badly and felt that no one should see them. Harry is found guilty of attempted assault of a minor in the third degree, but the judge sentences him to time already served. She then advises Gary and Rosie that they can expect a visit from Child Protective Services. Connie and Ritchie leave for college. Anouk's friends gather at her home to welcome her new baby.

Reception

NBC's The Slap has a 67% on Rotten Tomatoes—according to the site’s critical consensus, “Though the characters verge on stereotypes, they are aptly executed by The Slap's bright cast, allowing the show's topical themes to shine through in a provocative, meaningful way.”[19] On Metacritic, the show has a 62 rating based on 33 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[20]

References
  1. Andreeva, Nellie (July 25, 2014). "Peter Sarsgaard & Mary-Louise Parker To Star in NBC Miniseries 'The Slap'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  2. Noonan, Kevin (October 3, 2014). "Thandie Newton, Melissa George Join NBC's 'The Slap'". Variety. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  3. Ausiello, Michael (October 31, 2014). "NBC Recast Scoop: Uma Thurman In, Mary-Louise Parker Out in The Slap". TVLine. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  4. "Thomas Sadoski Joins Mini 'The Slap'; Michael Nathanson Upped On 'The Knick'". Deadline Hollywood. October 8, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  5. Siede, Caroline (10 September 2014). "Zachary Quinto and Brian Cox join NBC's The Slap". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  6. "Michael Nouri Joins NBC's The Slap". TVLine. January 23, 2015.
  7. "Makenzie Leigh Books Three TV Roles". Deadline Hollywood. October 6, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  8. "Lucas Hedges & Penn Badgley Join 'The Slap' Miniseries On NBC; 'Full Circle' Sets Cast". Deadline Hollywood. October 20, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  9. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 13, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Backstrom' Adjusted Down, No Adjustment to 'The Blacklist', 'Scandal' or 'The Vampire Diaries'". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  10. Bibel, Sara (February 20, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Scandal', 'Two and a Half Men' & 'How To Get Away With Murder' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  11. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 27, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Blacklist' & 'American Idol' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 1, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  12. Bibel, Sara (March 6, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'American Idol' & 'The Blacklist' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 8, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  13. "Connie". The Futon Critic. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  14. Kondolojy, Amanda (March 13, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Scandal', 'American Idol', & 'Dateline' Adjusted Up; 'The Odd Couple', 'Mom' & 'Elementary' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  15. Bibel, Sara (March 20, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Reign' Adjusted Down & Final Basketball Numbers". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  16. Kondolojy, Amanda (March 27, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Crime' Adjusted Up + Final Basketball Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  17. "The Slap". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  18. Bibel, Sara (April 3, 2015). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  19. "The Slap (Season 1)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  20. "The Slap (2015)". Metacritic.
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