In Episode 4 of “The Slap,” titled “The Folly of Peacemakers,” we find ourselves navigating the complicated dynamics of family and conflict. Manos (played by Brian Cox), Hector’s father and a former coffee salesman, drops in on his old pal, Theo—a sharp-witted lawyer climbing the corporate ladder. Manos seeks representation for his grandson, Harry, in a heated dispute with Rosie and Gary. To Manos’s surprise, Theo agrees to take on the case, but not without giving him some rather dubious advice about pursuing pleasure outside of marriage. However, Manos is not in the mood for frivolities; he is too busy worrying about his sick friend, Dimitris, and the issues plaguing his family.
Later, Koula and Manos host a family Sunday lunch that’s more tense than a rubber band ready to snap. During the meal, Harry probes Hector about Aisha’s allegiances, to which Hector replies that Rosie is Aisha’s bestie, making Harry’s chances of winning her over slim. Meanwhile, Sandy flits nervously around the kitchen, her anxiety hinting at the chaos that must be brewing at home since the incident.
In a twist, Theo arranges a meeting with Harry, Hector, and Manos to unveil a plan that could be likened to a character assassination. He’s uncovered some unsavory details about Gary, including a DUI and past arrests, along with some social service disputes involving Rosie. Manos, horrified at the prospect of ruining their reputations, tries to backtrack, but Harry is thrilled and insists on keeping Theo on the case. It’s a classic case of opening Pandora’s box; once you’ve let the unscrupulous lawyer out, there’s no putting him back. “I can fix this,” Manos mutters weakly, but Hector bluntly tells him, “You’ve already lost.”
Meanwhile, Rosie and Gary meet with the D.A., who reminds them that a single slap on a misbehaving child hardly constitutes a criminal case—unless they can prove Harry has a pattern of violence. The focus turns to Aisha and whether she will testify against Harry, her husband’s cousin.
In a moment of panic, Manos visits Aisha’s clinic, where he quickly realizes that Connie, one of the staff, has feelings for Hector. His conversation with Aisha takes a serious turn when he asks her to convince Rosie to drop the case. Aisha, however, stands firm, revealing Harry’s history of abusing Sandy and refusing to cover for him any longer.
Desperate, Manos heads to Harry’s car dealership to confront him about the allegations. Harry’s denials are as flimsy as wet tissue paper, yet Manos, blinded by familial loyalty, chooses to believe him. His tragic flaw is a stubborn belief that he can protect his family from the storm he has unwittingly helped create. Like King Lear, Manos fails to see the treachery lurking within his own household; his attempts to shield them only fan the flames of chaos.
In a poignant moment, Manos visits Dimitris, sharing a drink and a brief dance in the kitchen—two aging men trying to reclaim their youth. Dimitris wisely advises, “You must act your age, Manu, and not try so hard. The idea of the wise patriarch doesn’t stand up to the reality.” And indeed, it never has.
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Summary
In “The Slap,” Episode 4, Manos struggles with family loyalty while navigating a legal dispute involving his grandson, Harry. As tensions rise, he grapples with the consequences of his choices and the impact of his attempts to protect his family, culminating in a poignant realization about the complexity of family dynamics.