"Striking Vipers" isn't perfect, but It’s also very rare you see men's sexuality explored with such empathy and realism, and it has to be applauded for that because it's great to see. Everything involving the main two characters when they were together, even in awkward silence was genuinely great. I thought Anthony Mackie and Abdul-Mateen had great chemistry and I found myself truly connected to their confused, new relationship...thing. Unfortunately, it does feel like they were trying to make San Junipero 2, and it really suffers from not trying to paint its own picture (especially in the back half) and playing somewhat safe I suppose. Too often I was left wanting more in several ways, and the disappointing ending is the best example of that. Felt super weird and out of place, and I didn't think it fit the message or vibe of the rest of the episode. But as I said, I do think this is a decent albeit flawed and frustrating episode. It does a lot right, but I can't help but think with a better execution, this could have been one of their stronger episodes, because I really do believe the concept, the acting and the character work is quite fantastic here.