Everyone has their price. So argues Wayne Malloy (Eddie Izzard) at the outset of the second season of the FX show, The Riches. As the audience quickly finds out, that "everyone" includes Wayne himself.
The Riches follows the Malloy family - Wayne, Dahlia (Minnie Driver), Di Di (Shannon Marie Woodward), Cael (Noel Fisher), and Sam (Aidan Mitchell) - a group of Irish Travellers who have taken over the lives of the recently deceased Doug and Cherien Rich and their nonexistent children. As season one progressed, the Malloys found it harder and harder to maintain the ruse, and at the close of the season they were forced to try and run.
The second season picks up right where the first one left off, with the Malloys about to make their escape from Eden Falls and the lives of the Riches. However, after successfully disappearing, Wayne convinces the family they need to return. If the family can keep the con running just a little bit longer, Wayne, working as Doug at a real estate development company, stands to make 13 million dollars in a huge deal. The money is more than he can possibly ever pass up. As Driver explained on a recent conference call:
...it's a really Machiavellian idea, it’s the first time you’ve seen… Wayne operating outside of the unit. He’s doing something for the good of the family, but it’s not a familial decision. It’s something that he’s decided. I think that is a huge turning point. I think it says a lot that we go along with it… It’s setting up the season, because you’re basically going to see that spiritual and moral compunction unit come under even more fire, or you’re going to see kind of the true expression of who these people are I think this season, and I think it begins with that $13 million.
The Malloys, as a family of con artists, are not above taking money from people, but that 13 million is, as Izzard said "just more than he’s [Wayne] ever fathomed." He's willing to do whatever it takes to get that cash and then get away, and he's willing to sacrifice his family in the present in order to get the cash with the hopes of piecing them back together later.
Article comments
1 - Bert
Great to hear that they'll be picking things up right where they left-off.
I was wondering what might've happened if the Malloys really ended up leaving The Riches' house and identity...
Can't wait to see the premiere, tonight!!
2 - Josh Lasser
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3 - Bitofallright
Just watched the season premiere of the Riches...brilliant! I was watching the show and I text my son to watch it, he had not seen the the first season, about 20 minutes into it, he text "GREAT SHOW", then about 15 minutes later "IT'S LIKE WATCHING A GREAT MOVIE" then "I"M HOOKED, LET"S GET THE 1st SEASON AND WATCH 2GETHER" and this is from someone who is hard to please with TV.
I love great TV and this is the best that there is now. I am someone who gets lost in books, a true story teller can devolop a character that you swear you could indenify if they walked into a shop...with books, as the reader you have the privledge of becoming a part of the creative process as you are putting in your minds eye the people whom are the players and the landscape of the era, geography, smells, sights and everything that is being told by that author really, it is what makes a book so personal...this show is like having that personal experience played out with the most amazing characters relating every nuance of the most SUPERB writing TV has offerd. Each one of these characters is absolutely unique and as dementional as a person is, not written to fit into a show or to be a good fit to play off a key player...the stand in the frame of the show as people who are in this circumstance and the story pivots off of them, it's great. There is a real sence of getting to know them, it does get the viewer so involved. All huge talent here, all of them, Eddie Izzard is becoming a force to be reconed with, he is at the cusp of superstardon. I've seen him at the coronet with his stand up and have never been so tranfixed by a live performance, he's doing it here also. Minne Driver blows me away, she just completly owns that character, and I just love her, all the kids, fantastic. Every one in the show is great, I could go on and on.
The undercurrent of this show is thought provoking at every level. Even if your life does not resemble theirs at all (and who's would) you are familiar with the flawed human moments and the great ones all through out. The show is stellar...it's going all the way, season 10, set in stone:)......I love the decency that this show showcases...even amoungst thiefs and liars there is a balance of greatness. Well done to all..and to the writers...you have got to be proud, truly, some unbelievable writing here. The writers strike was tough on all of you, and your boy Eddie took a stand as you all did, I hope you have a sence of accomplishemt, you should, this is excellent work.