BARRY 303 and 304 have an interesting dynamic vis a vis the season storyline of Barry saving Mr. C as a way of earning forgiveness.
In 303, Mr. C does the part, because Barry threatens to kill his family otherwise. But then at the end, instead of delivering the line he explodes all over Barry and flees. And there's a certain definitiveness to Barry's read on it, like he's failed.
In 304, though, that redemption arc story continues in two ways. First, Barry's plan is unexpectedly working despite Cousineau's rejection. the director of the TV episode where Cousineau ignored the script and attacked Barry ended up loving his performance and wants him back. And the story Barry told about Mr. C saving his life has gotten into Variety. Suddenly he's a hero.
At the same time, we follow Barry doing a group assassination for Hank. And it seems like he's given up on life, but then in the end he brings that money to Cousineau. It's not about earning forgiveness any more, it's just about trying to pay back a debt--which obviously is a much more selfless thing.
I love the sleight of hand of giving Barry a job whose significance we will assume we know from past experience and then revealing it has a different purpose. It's a great example of playing on audience expectations to generate a wonderful experience of surprise.
But what's equally satisfying is the way that big choices lead to unexpected rewards. Cousineau risks EVERYTHING by telling Barry off, and he is rewarded for it.
(Similarly, Katie risks a ton in 304 to be honest with Sally, and that, too, has enormous positive consequences. And we could say 304 shows Sally's huge risk in writing and producing her own show paying off, too. God it feels good to see her get a real win.)
Every show is different, but I'd say that most TV shows exist in a universe in which big risks that involve high personal stakes produce big rewards, even if they're not the rewards the character expected.
It's a good question to bring to our own work: If my characters succeed, how much have they risked to get there? If our answer is not, "Pretty much everything," we may need to up the ante.
