Ep 4. Fred Wynn

[Note: This episode description contains references to events from previous episodes]

In episode 4 of Dispatches From Elsewhere, entitled "Fred Wynn," viewers get an intimate look into the life of one of the show's most enigmatic characters. Fred Wynn, played by Andre Benjamin (aka Andre 3000 from Outkast), is a recluse who lives in a rundown house in a rough neighborhood. He's been mentioned in previous episodes as one of the group's potential "leads" in their quest to unravel the mysterious game they've been pulled into.

The episode is framed around an interview that Peter (Jason Segel) conducts with Fred. Peter has been tasked with the job of convincing Fred to join the game's "gang" and help them in their quest. This proves to be a difficult task, as Fred is a deeply solitary man who resists any attempt at interpersonal connection. Peter is initially intimidated by Fred, who seems to be sizing him up and down, but eventually, he manages to break through Fred's rough exterior and discover some surprising details about his life.

Through the interview, we learn that Fred used to be a jazz musician and played with some of the greats, including Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. He was a prodigious talent, but after a series of personal losses and betrayals, he became disillusioned with the world and retreated from it altogether. He lives an ascetic lifestyle, subsisting mostly on rice and beans and spending his days playing solitary games of chess. The only other person he sees regularly is a young boy named Octavio, who lives across the street and comes over to play chess with him. Octavio is clearly devoted to Fred and sees him as a father figure of sorts, but Fred keeps him at arm's length, unwilling to get too attached.

The episode does an excellent job of humanizing Fred, who up until this point has been largely seen as a cipher. Through Peter's interview, we get a sense of Fred's pain and his defensiveness, but also of his deep reserves of resilience and creativity. There are several poignant moments in the episode, including a scene where Fred plays an impromptu jazz riff on his trumpet while Peter watches in awe. The music seems to unlock something in Fred, who for a brief moment, looks like a man possessed by the spirit of jazz.

Overall, "Fred Wynn" is a stand-out episode that deepens the show's mythology while also illuminating some of the show's most compelling characters. It's a testament to the writing and acting on the show that they're able to take a character who's been largely a cipher up until this point and turn him into a fully-realized and compelling human being. Fans of the show will not want to miss this one.