Circles (Vice Principals)
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Episode 5
- Danny McBride
- John Carcieri
- Hayes Davenport
| "Circles" | |
|---|---|
| Vice Principals episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 5 |
| Directed by | Jody Hill |
| Written by |
|
| Cinematography by | Eric Treml |
| Editing by | Todd Zelin |
| Original release date | August 14, 2016 |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Circles" is the fifth episode of the first season of the American dark comedy television series Vice Principals. The episode was written by series co-creator Danny McBride, co-executive producer John Carcieri, and Hayes Davenport, and directed by series co-creator Jody Hill. It was released on HBO on August 14, 2016.
The series follows the co-vice principals of North Jackson High School, Neal Gamby and Lee Russell, both of which are disliked for their personalities. When the principal decides to retire, an outsider named Dr. Belinda Brown is assigned to succeed him. This prompts Gamby and Russell to put aside their differences and team up to take her down. In the episode, Gamby and Russell cut ties, with Russell facing problems from his neighbor.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.819 million household viewers and gained a 0.4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances (particularly Walton Goggins) and character development.
Christine (Susan Park) is unable to sleep due to the music from one of their neighbors, Jackie (Owen Harn). She asks Russell (Walton Goggins) to talk to Jackie to turn the volume down. Russell is unable to convince Jackie in doing so, with Jackie humiliating Russell in front of her. Later, he makes an anonymous police report, although Jackie sees him peeping through the window.
Brown (Kimberly Hébert Gregory) is surprised by the number of students that have been sent to detention by Gamby (Danny McBride). She decides to create a better environment for the students, ordering puff seats and even granting them popcorn. Gamby is not convinced of her methods, although the students now are more willing to improve their behavior. Having ruined their last venture, Gamby also cuts ties with Russell. Christine is also harassed by Jackie at a supermarket. When Russell confronts him, Jackie punches him and warns him not to report him again.
Gamby is frustrated when Dayshawn (Sheaun McKinney) suggests he and Russell are in a gay relationship, given the number of times they went to the woods. He opens up to some of the students at detention, questioning if he can even reconcile with Russell. When a student suggests that he express his true feelings, Gamby goes to Russell's office, finding it empty. Russell has taken sodas, piled them in a pillow bag and smashes Jackie's music player. This causes Jackie to brutally attack him, just as Gamby arrives. Gamby, using brass knuckles he got from a student, brutally hits Jackie in the face, knocking him unconscious. Gamby apologizes for his behavior, but Russell apologizes as well, and both decide to continue as allies.
Production
Development
In July 2016, HBO confirmed that the episode would be titled "Circles", and that it would be written by series co-creator Danny McBride, co-executive producer John Carcieri, and Hayes Davenport, and directed by series co-creator Jody Hill. This was McBride's fifth writing credit, Carcieri's fourth writing credit, Davenport's first writing credit, and Hill's fourth directing credit.[1]