Kingdom (US) Season 1 Episode 4 Flowers

In Kingdom (2014) season 1 episode 4 titled "Flowers", the plot thickens as tension continues to run high between all the characters both inside and outside the octagon. The episode begins with Jay being placed in an awkward situation as he tries to maintain his fragile sobriety. Christina tries to intervene and help Jay, but her attempts only end up making things worse for him. Meanwhile, Alvey and Lisa continue to butt heads over the direction the gym is going, which causes friction between them.

The main focus of the episode, however, is on Ryan. He's become increasingly anxious and paranoid over his lack of funds and is desperate to find a way to make more money. He believes he's found a solution in the form of his former criminal associate, Javy. Javy has gotten out of prison and wants to reconnect with Ryan. Although Ryan is hesitant at first, he ultimately agrees to work with Javy. Ryan and Javy's relationship becomes more and more complicated as Ryan tries to balance his desire for financial stability with his moral compass.

As the episode progresses, the tension between the main characters outside of the ring becomes ever more palpable. Outside of Ryan's criminal activities, the primary sources of conflict are Alvey's fear of losing his gym, Christina's growing dependency on prescription drugs, and Lisa's frustration with Alvey's lack of communication and control.

Inside the octagon, Jay is scheduled to fight. However, he's not mentally prepared for the challenge, and his sobriety is being tested when he has to confront his father, who ignored him for years, just before going to the ring. Jay's fragile state is evident during the fight, and he makes a costly mistake that could have potentially led to a grave injury.

Meanwhile, the fight serves as a parallel to the episode's theme as Ryan ultimately finds a way to win big at Javy’s expense. However, the victory comes at a great cost to Ryan's well-being and relationships.

The episode concludes with the characters at a point of no return. Jay's fragile state is more evident than ever, Christina is spiraling out of control with prescription drug abuse, and Ryan is caught up in his own web of deceit. The tension between Alvey and Lisa has also reached a boiling point. The characters are left with near insurmountable emotional, financial, and moral testings as they attempt to navigate through their intertwined lives.

In summary, "Flowers" is an episode that delves deep into the world of addiction, greed, and desperation. It's a testament to the characters' complexity and the show's strong writing as it explores the intricacies of relationships and the trials and tribulations faced both inside and outside of the octagon. The episode serves as yet another reminder that although Kingdom is undoubtedly a show about MMA, its true strength lies in its depiction of the human condition.