Ep 2. Luck Be a Lady

In A Crime to Remember season 4 episode 2, titled "Luck Be a Lady," viewers are taken back to the Las Vegas strip in the 1950s. The episode examines the story of a woman named Vivian Gambling, who comes to Las Vegas in search of a better life. Vivian is a small-town girl with big dreams, but when her luck seems to run dry, she turns to a life of crime to survive.

The episode begins with a reenactment of a gunfight that takes place in the parking lot of a Las Vegas casino. Through this scene, viewers get a taste of the violence and danger that is prevalent in Sin City during this time period. From there, the episode introduces us to Vivian Gambling, a young woman who has just arrived in town. Vivian is played by actress Jessica Lamdon, who does an excellent job of portraying the character's naivete and vulnerability.

Over the course of the episode, viewers watch as Vivian gets sucked into the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. She initially takes a job as a cocktail waitress, but soon finds herself caught up in a world of gambling, drugs, and prostitution. At first, Vivian is hesitant to get involved in anything illegal, but when her boss, a sleazy casino owner named Joe "The Greek" Stelton (played by actor John Cassini), offers her the opportunity to make some quick cash, she can't resist.

As Vivian becomes more entrenched in the criminal world, viewers are introduced to a cast of colorful characters. There's Mickey Cohen (played by actor Scott Patey), a notorious gangster who runs the city's underground gambling ring. There's also John "Johnny Boy" Stompanato (played by actor Clint Jung), a henchman for Cohen who takes a liking to Vivian. And then there's Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal (played by actor Chad Rook), a shady businessman who begins to use Vivian to launder money through the casino.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to a mix of vintage footage and modern reenactments that capture the glamour and danger of Las Vegas in the 1950s. We see showgirls in feathered costumes, neon signs advertising casinos, and flashy cars cruising down the strip. At the same time, we witness the brutality of the criminal underworld, from beatings and shootings to drug overdoses and suicides.

One of the strengths of this episode is the way it humanizes Vivian, despite the fact that she is engaged in criminal activity. Viewers can't help but feel sympathy for her as she struggles to survive in a world that is stacked against her. She makes mistakes and bad decisions, but we can understand why. Meanwhile, the male characters in the story come across as unsympathetic and ruthless.

As the episode comes to a close, Vivian's luck finally runs out. She is caught by the police and faces the prospect of a long prison sentence. In the final scene, we see her sitting in a jail cell, contemplating her fate. It's a somber ending, but one that feels appropriate given the dark tone of the episode.

Overall, "Luck Be a Lady" is a gripping and well-crafted installment of A Crime to Remember. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of 1950s Las Vegas, and tells a compelling story of a woman who struggles to survive in a world of crime and corruption.