'Bupkis' Episode 8 Review: Pete finds the light in all the chaos as he fights lifelong drug habit

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ’s show about his life is all about the perils of his existence. Fame and money came all too quickly for a regular man out of Staten Island, but unfortunately, there was no memo on how to tackle this newfound stature that continued to grow. For Pete, the respite has been drug binges and numerous flings to keep him away from his bitter reality. But the drug problem escalated so quickly and became so dangerous that Pete decided to submit himself to rehab in the previous episode. His mom, Amy, and his grandfather are his biggest supporters, but Pete decides to fight this battle to kick drugs away alone.

Episode 8 of '' begins in a black-and-white palette, reminiscent of old Hollywood movies. It’s also a subtle, nuanced commentary on how Pete’s life is without drugs and booze to keep him up and running. The rehab which houses Pete looks nothing short of a prison where the gatekeepers and the caretakers act as if they were on patrol duty 24/7. Nothing goes in and out without their permission. But Pete is here on a mission. It’s a chance to do away with a lifelong drug habit that he has promised to kick with his own willpower. He starts strong, but falters quickly due to a few rotten apples in rehab.

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Rehab is Pete’s battleground

Pete is surrounded by A-list drug addicts who hide their medicines and then later snort them to get as high as possible. Pete also meets the famed rapper, Machine Gun Kelly who later invites him to get high after procuring drugs from caretakers inside the rehab. This was a test for Pete who fails miserably and goes on a binge with the rapper and another man from the rehab. He’s been obedient, taking his medicines, and not sneaking any drugs until the rapper came knocking on his door. Pete feels ashamed after being caught by the manager of rehab, who could have thrown Pete out for this mistake but gives him another chance to prove that he’s better than his past.  

Meanwhile, Amy, Pete’s mother, wants him to attend his sister’s Casey graduation. She even tries to get Pete out of rehab, but fails. Everyone around Pete is testing his resolve. Although, Pete surprises everyone when he’s pushed against the wall by the rehab’s manager. 

Pete finally finds the color in his life

Pete is taken to the woods by the rehab’s manager, who then asks him to scream as loudly as possible. When Pete doesn’t at first, the manager slaps him, and then after a while, he slaps Pete again. With this slap, the black and white palette on the screen turns to color and Pete smiles, stating that he’s found the answer to the question, “What matters?” He rushes to his car and drives off to his sister’s graduation, just like his mother wanted. 

The color comes back to his life not because of drugs or booze or women, but because he finally realizes that all that matters in his life is his family. However, at the end of the episode, Pete is met with an accident but jumps back to life, hoping to tell his family all that they are the G’s of his life.  

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