In the eighth episode of Season 2 titled “The Sleazy Georgian,” character Charlie Cale, played by Natasha Lyonne, squares off against a skilled con artist, Alec, portrayed by John Cho, in the Netflix series Poker Face.
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my excitement over the upcoming film “The Sleazy Georgian,” directed by the talented Mimi Cave (fresh from “Fresh”) and penned by the witty Megan Amram (“The Good Place”). This project promises to be a reunion of sorts, as it brings me back to the days of “Detroit Rock City” and “But I’m a Cheerleader,” reuniting none other than the brilliant Melanie Lynskey (a familiar face from “Yellowjackets”) with my favorite, Natasha Lyonne.
In this week’s intriguing plot, Lynskey portrays Reggie, a devoted charity worker who is cleverly manipulated into committing a theft by the cunning Alec. The viewers witness Reggie being charmed by Alec and entering his hotel room, where he reveals his scheme to her. As she consents to participate, there comes a knock on the door, followed by someone shooting Alec. In response, Regskey snatches Alec’s gun and fires at the attacker before escaping with the money. However, it later transpires that Reggie has been tricked.
The narrative subsequently shifts to an earlier period where Charlie encounters Alec, who is captivated by her “BS detector.” So enamored is he that he extends an invitation for her to join his band of swindlers, which includes GaTa, Joel Marsh Garland, and Brendan Sexton III. As part of the scheme, Charlie recognizes that Alec’s actions are more detrimental than she initially thought, particularly when Reggie discovers she has been deceived and ultimately takes her own life as a result.
A representative from NBC conversed with Lynskey and GaTa regarding their involvement in the PaleyFest function for the second season of “Poker Face.
Melanie Lynskey was more than ready to be “light and funny” on Poker Face
Lynskey, twice nominated for an Emmy for her character Shauna in Yellowjackets, spends much of her year filming the show in Canada, leaving little room for additional roles. However, the allure of a part offered by Lyonne proved too strong to resist for this actress.
Lynskey shared that Natasha had suggested he appear in an episode early in the season, but due to commitments with “Yellowjackets,” he couldn’t. After that, it was just a series of follow-ups to see if there were other suitable roles for him. Eventually, this specific episode presented itself, and he was thrilled to be part of it.
In this episode, Reggie meets Alec, who charms and invites her to his hotel room, almost leading to an intimate moment. However, they pause when Eric steps in to reveal his scam. Lynskey shared that she wasn’t aware who had been cast as her romantic interest for the scene, but was delighted when she found out it was Cho, a fresh collaborator for Lynskey.
As a fan girl at heart, I found myself drawn to the idea of working on a delightful romantic comedy alongside the talented John Cho. His acting skills are top-notch, and I haven’t had the chance to do something lighthearted and humorous in quite some time. Plus, the thought of engaging in playful banter in a hotel bar was incredibly appealing. To top it all off, I’m an avid fan of the show, so being part of it was a dream come true!
At the Poker Face discussion, Lynskey mentioned that it was an extremely conversational episode, requiring extensive lines to remember. “There were many dialogues,” she expressed, sounding a bit tired. “We only had about two days for all that chatting.
Cho remarked, “Watching you open and analyze it was simply incredible and a real delight!
He took delight in portraying a “scheming, unscrupulous character” on set, as well. Speaking of our colleagues, Melanie and Natasha, he remarked, “Working with them was truly enjoyable. However, it went against my nature to deceive, repeatedly.
GaTa gets to flex his acting muscles as Gene the nice accountant
As member of Alec’s friendly con artists group, known as Gene the accountant, GaTa shared that he tried out for the part because it provided an opportunity to step outside his usual role. “I was thrilled since many people view me as an underdog, or so I perceive myself having started in music,” he explained about his acting debut. “When the chance to record a self tape came up, I was overjoyed. I’m grateful for getting the part and being here.
I can’t help but gush about my character! Initially, I was part of a crew, a band of con artists, quite the intriguing bunch. Being an accountant, I bring a knack for numbers and finesse to the table. My role is thrilling because it’s not every day you find someone like me in this kind of setting, so it’s really exciting!
He had the privilege of sitting directly opposite Lyonne. “I admire individuals who have sustained careers in acting,” he expressed. “On set, I absorbed wisdom from her and felt a strong connection with her, observing her freedom in her character. She was incredibly supportive and motivating just by being there, simply by our proximity during the scene. It was a truly inspiring experience.
So, what is the Georgian despot scam?
In reality, there’s no genuine Georgian despot swindle, but its modus operandi bears striking resemblance to the classic “Pigeon Drop” con, where two con artists deceive an unsuspecting person out of their money.
A scam involving pigeons works like this: A convincing individual approaches a potential victim, often someone vulnerable, elderly, or in Reggie’s case, simply bored. This person is led to believe there’s an offer to multiply their money. To be part of the deal, they must first demonstrate they have the necessary funds or can keep secrets. Any doubts about the deal are dismissed when a second person appears, apparently verifying the legitimacy of the scheme and reducing suspicion of fraud. Once the victim hands over their money, the con artists disappear, leaving the victim out of pocket.
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2025-06-12 18:17