Room 104

Room 104 is an American television anthology series created by Jay and Mark Duplass.[1] The series debuted on July 28, 2017 on HBO.[2] A twelve-episode second season aired between November 9 and December 15, 2018.[3][4] On February 8, 2019, HBO revealed that a third season had been filmed and that the network were in talks for a fourth season renewal.[5] The show's twelve-episode third season premiered on September 13, 2019.[6] Filming for season 4 was completed by September 2019.[7] In May 2020, HBO announced that the fourth season would be its last and would premiere on July 24, 2020.[8]

Room 104
Genre
Created by
Composer(s)Julian Wass
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes36 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Mark Duplass
  • Jay Duplass
  • Mel Eslyn
  • Sydney Fleischmann
  • Xan Aranda
Running time21–29 minutes
Production company(s)
Distributor
  • HBO Enterprises
  • Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original networkHBO
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Original releaseJuly 28, 2017 (2017-07-28) 
present (present)
External links
Website

Premise

The series is set in a single room of an American hotel, exploring characters who pass through it in each episode. Each episode is a different genre from horror and thriller to comedy.

Production

The series received a 24-episode order and all the episodes were shot back-to-back as a cost-saving measure, and they were split into two 12-episode seasons. In a December 2018 interview, co-creator Mark Duplass revealed that the third season had already been filmed and edited, and he was writing season 4. According to Duplass, episodes of Room 104 are made for "a quarter" of the cost typically expected for HBO series. Episodes are conceived in a "think tank" by the writers where they come up with dozens of ideas, and then they reach out to filmmakers that they are interested in to direct the episodes. Episodes are filmed in a "fast and loose" manner; for example, Josephine Decker directed her episode in two days only using an iPhone. For the editing process, directors do not receive final cut, and Duplass screens the episodes to a group of 20 people who work at their company for feedback.[9]

Reception

Room 104 has received generally positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the first season has a score of 65 out of 100 based on 22 reviews.[10] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an 87% approval rating with an average score of 6.85 out of 10 based on 39 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads, "Room 104 uses its anthology structure to its advantage, telling a series of short, eclectic stories that hit their marks more often than they miss."[11]

Reviewing the entire second season, Ben Travers of IndieWire gave it a positive review with a "B+" grade. He wrote, "the variety of storytelling on display builds such tingly anticipation, each new episode is worth it even when the narrative disappoints" and that it is "such remarkable, refreshing television that even when it's bad, it's good".[12]

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
112July 28, 2017 (2017-07-28)October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)
212November 9, 2018 (2018-11-09)December 15, 2018 (2018-12-15)
312September 13, 2019 (2019-09-13)November 29, 2019 (2019-11-29)
412[4]July 24, 2020 (2020-07-24)[4]October 9, 2020 (2020-10-09)[4]

Season 1 (2017)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Ralphie"Sarah Adina SmithMark DuplassJuly 28, 2017 (2017-07-28)0.249[13]

Meg is hired by a man to babysit his pre-teen son Ralph for one night in Room 104. She is initially amused when Ralph warns her that "Ralphie", a bad boy, is locked in the bathroom, and that they need to keep quiet because Ralphie can hear them and he does not like women. Thinking he is an imaginary friend, Meg at first tries to humor Ralph, but as the night runs late, Ralph continues to add more to his story, including that Ralphie killed his mother.


Cast: Melonie Diaz, Ross Partridge, Ethan Kent, Gavin Kent
22"Pizza Boy"Patrick BriceMark DuplassAugust 4, 2017 (2017-08-04)0.426[14]

A pizza delivery boy is drawn into a couple's bizarre sex game.


Cast: Clark Duke, James Van Der Beek, Davie-Blue
33"The Knockandoo"Sarah Adina SmithCarson MellAugust 11, 2017 (2017-08-11)0.438[15]

A spiritually-hungry woman is visited by a cult priest. She remembers that when she was a child, a boy showed her his penis and she hit it with a rock.


Cast: Sameerah Luqmaan-Harris, Orlando Jones, Tony Todd, Jenny Leonhardt
44"I Knew You Weren't Dead"So Yong KimMark DuplassAugust 18, 2017 (2017-08-18)0.305[16]

A 42-year-old guest, whose wife wants to split up with him, seeks advice from the ghost of his college best friend who accidentally drowned in his early twenties.


Cast: Jay Duplass, Will Tranfo, Frank Ashmore
55"The Internet"Doug EmmettMark DuplassAugust 25, 2017 (2017-08-25)0.393[16]

In 1997, a young Indian man desperately tries to teach his mother, over the phone, how to use his laptop to send a copy of the novel he has been writing. She accidentally deletes his novel, so he tells her to take it to a computer shop so that the staff can try to retrieve it.


Cast: Karan Soni, Poorna Jagannathan
66"Voyeurs"Dayna HansonDayna HansonSeptember 1, 2017 (2017-09-01)0.240[16]

An episode told through interpretive dance, with very little dialogue. A middle-aged maid and former call girl reconnects with her younger self.


Cast: Dendrie Taylor, Sarah Hay
77"The Missionaries"Megan GriffithsMark DuplassSeptember 8, 2017 (2017-09-08)0.366[17]

Two Mormons test their faith and their attraction to each other.


Cast: Adam Foster, Nat Wolff
88"Phoenix"Ross PartridgeStory by: Xan Aranda and Ross Partridge
Teleplay by: Ross Partridge
September 15, 2017 (2017-09-15)0.375[18]

In 1969, the sole (apparent) survivor of a plane crash finds herself in the room, covered in mud, cuts and bruises. She contemplates whether to go back to her old life with her husband.


Cast: Amy Landecker, Mae Whitman
99"Boris"Chad HartiganRoss PartridgeSeptember 22, 2017 (2017-09-22)0.333[19]

An alcoholic Croatian retired tennis player forms a bond with a housekeeper when he reveals memories of his tortured past growing up in war torn Croatia during the early 1990s while she in turn reveals her status as an undocumented immigrant.


Cast: Konstantin Lavysh, Veronica Falcón
1010"Red Tent"Anna Boden & Ryan FleckAnna Boden & Ryan FleckSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)0.343[20]

A young man planning to detonate an explosive at a political convention is interrupted by an air conditioning repairman, causing him to reconsider his plan.


Cast: Keir Gilchrist, Hugo Armstrong
1111"The Fight"Megan GriffithsMark DuplassOctober 6, 2017 (2017-10-06)0.307[21]

Two female MMA fighters collude to earn a bigger payout by throwing their upcoming match. They engage in a private competition to determine who will win the fight.


Cast: Natalie Morgan, Keta Meggett
1212"My Love"Marta CunninghamMark DuplassOctober 13, 2017 (2017-10-13)0.225[22]

An elderly couple relive their first night together.


Cast: Philip Baker Hall, Ellen Geer

Season 2 (2018)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
131"FOMO"Ross PartridgeMark DuplassNovember 9, 2018 (2018-11-09)0.216[23]

A young woman celebrates her birthday with her friends, but things go downhill when her sister arrives unexpectedly.


Cast: Charlyne Yi, Tom Lenk, Pia Shah, Jennifer Lafleur
142"Mr. Mulvahill"Ross PartridgeMark DuplassNovember 10, 2018 (2018-11-10)0.147[23]

A man confronts his former third-grade teacher, seeking a confession about their shared past.


Cast: Rainn Wilson, Frank Birney
153"Swipe Right"Liza JohnsonLiza JohnsonNovember 16, 2018 (2018-11-16)0.220[24]

An eccentric Russian political technologist arranges a first date with a veterinary nurse after meeting her via the internet. Also starring Katya Zamolodchikova.


Cast: Michael Shannon, Judy Greer
164"Hungry"Patrick BriceMark DuplassNovember 17, 2018 (2018-11-17)0.179[24]

Two strangers meet to fulfill a mutual fantasy, but are interrupted by a suspicious police officer. This episode is based on true events.[25]


Cast: Mark Proksch, Kent Osborne, Michole Briana White
175"The Woman in the Wall"Gaby HoffmannStory by: Esti Giordani
Teleplay by: Mark Duplass
November 23, 2018 (2018-11-23)0.133[26]

A sickly woman seeks comfort from a disembodied voice that claims to live inside the walls.


Cast: Dolly Wells, Leonora Pitts
186"Arnold"Julian WassMark Duplass & Julian WassNovember 24, 2018 (2018-11-24)0.127[26]

Presented as a musical, a man attempts to piece together his memories of the previous night and the woman he met.


Cast: Brian Tyree Henry, Ginger Gonzaga
197"The Man and the Baby and the Man"Josephine DeckerStory by: Josephine Decker
Teleplay by: Josephine Decker & Onur Tukel
November 30, 2018 (2018-11-30)0.164[27]

A couple experiences difficulties while recording a video – which they plan to show their future child – of their attempts to conceive.


Cast: Josephine Decker, Onur Tukel
208"A Nightmare"Jonah MarkowitzMark DuplassDecember 1, 2018 (2018-12-01)0.135[27]

A young woman finds herself unable to escape a series of increasingly disturbing nightmares, some involving her mother.


Cast: Natalie Morales, Marlene Forte
219"The Return"So Yong KimMark DuplassDecember 7, 2018 (2018-12-07)0.146[28]

A widow brings her young daughter to Room 104 to help the girl cope with her father's death.


Cast: Stephanie Allynne, Abby Ryder Fortson
2210"Artificial"Natalie MoralesMark DuplassDecember 8, 2018 (2018-12-08)0.186[28]

An apparent android attempts to convince a skeptical reporter of the true nature of both of their existences.


Cast: Katie Aselton, Sheaun McKinney
2311"Shark"Mark DuplassMark DuplassDecember 14, 2018 (2018-12-14)0.106[29]

A pool shark and his disillusioned cousin clash over their conflicting views of the hustling game.


Cast: Mahershala Ali, James Earl III
2412"Josie & Me"Lila NeugebauerLauren BuddDecember 15, 2018 (2018-12-15)0.120[29]

A playwright searching for inspiration asks her younger self to reenact the events of a harrowing night from her college years.


Cast: Mary Wiseman

Season 3 (2019)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
251"The Plot"Macon BlairMacon BlairSeptember 13, 2019 (2019-09-13)0.274[30]

Decades in the past, a brother and sister have a tense meeting regarding the development of the hotel that will contain Room 104, complicated by the arrival of a demonic transient.


Cast: Luke Wilson, Christine Woods, Eric Edelstein
262"Animal for Sale"Patrick BricePatrick BriceSeptember 20, 2019 (2019-09-20)0.250[31]

The irresponsible caretaker of a gorilla meets with a professional who wants to buy the animal from him, but things do not go as planned.


Cast: Robert Longstreet, Dale Dickey, Tom Woodruff Jr.
273"Itchy"Patrick BriceMark DuplassSeptember 27, 2019 (2019-09-27)0.219[32]

A man with a mysterious skin condition records a series of increasingly revelatory video messages for his doctor.


Cast: Arturo Castro, François Chau, Gina Gallego
284"Rogue"Jenée LaMarqueJenée LaMarque & Julian WassOctober 4, 2019 (2019-10-04)0.161[33]

Following an apocalyptic event, a traumatized teenage girl and a psychically gifted scavenger find common ground in their struggle for the future.


Cast: James Babson, Iyana Halley, Catalina Sandino Moreno
295"Drywall Guys"Shira Piven
Doug Emmett
Mark DuplassOctober 11, 2019 (2019-10-11)0.251[34]

A man's patience is tested as he must contend with his coworker's chronic sleepwalking problem.


Cast: Sam Richardson, Steve Little, Fred Melamed
306"A New Song"Mark DuplassMark Duplass & Mel EslynOctober 18, 2019 (2019-10-18)0.164[35]

A tormented singer-songwriter grapples with her own insecurities - and those of her ex-girlfriend - while attempting to create a new song.


Cast: Julianna Barwick, Atsuko Okatsuka
317"Jimmy & Gianni"Doug EmmettMark DuplassOctober 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)0.161[36]

A documentary about real-life father and son artists who, invited to use the Room 104 set as a canvas, discuss the personal struggles in their past and the nuances of their craft.


Cast: Jimmy Ray Flynn, Gianni Arone
328"No Hospital"Miguel ArtetaMiguel ArtetaNovember 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)0.215[37]

A dying man with unique abilities attempts to settle his affairs with his daughter, who was reluctant to learn his powers, and his son, who misused them.


Cast: Tony Plana, Angie Cepeda, Julian Acosta, Timm Sharp
339"Prank Call"So Yong KimMark DuplassNovember 8, 2019 (2019-11-08)0.256[38]

Left alone, a teenage girl makes prank calls to entertain herself, but one takes a very dark turn spurred on by her alternate personality.


Cast: Mary Mouser, Macon Blair, Carl De Gregorio, Kristina Harrison, Meilee Condron
3410"Night Shift"Benjamin KasulkeBenjamin Kasulke & Mark DuplassNovember 15, 2019 (2019-11-15)0.281[39]

Two actors who co-created a 1970s horror television series reunite and discuss their falling out, but when old tensions resurface, the show proves to be much more than mere fiction.


Cast: Josh Fadem, Marielle Scott, David Paymer
3511"Crossroads"Patrick BriceSam BainNovember 22, 2019 (2019-11-22)0.132[40]

Fifty years after a woman sells her soul to the devil to live a rebellious rock-and-roll lifestyle, she strikes a mutually beneficial deal with his disgruntled assistant.


Cast: Paul F. Tompkins, June Squibb, Aislinn Paul, Jon Bass, Lily Mae Harrington
3612"The Specimen Collector"Mel EslynMel EslynNovember 29, 2019 (2019-11-29)0.137[40]

When exposure to a mysterious plant specimen transforms Room 104 into a lush jungle ecosystem, a scientist tries desperately to preserve the phenomena within.


Cast: Cobie Smulders, Aasif Mandvi, J.P. Giuliotti

Season 4

Fourth-season episodes include:[41]

  • "Avalanche" written by Mark Duplass
  • "Foam Party" written by Bryan Poyser
  • "Fur" written by Mel Eslyn
  • "Generations" written by Julian Wass
  • "No Dice" written by Julian Wass
  • "Star Time" written by Mark Duplass
  • "Stuck In a Sitcom" written by Mel Eslyn
  • "The Hikers" written by Lauren Budd
  • "The Last Man" written by Mark Duplass
  • "The Murderer" written by Mark Duplass
  • "The Night Babby Died" written by Jenée LaMarque & Julian Wass


References

  1. Andreeva, Nellie (August 4, 2016). "HBO Orders Duplass Brothers Anthology Comedy Series 'Room 104'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  2. Pedersen, Erik (May 10, 2017). "'Room 104′ Premiere Date: HBO Sets Duplass Brothers' Anthology Comedy Series For Summer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  3. Greene, Steve (October 1, 2018). "'Room 104' First Trailer: Mahershala Ali Headlines All-Star Indie Cast and Directors for Season 2". IndieWire. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  4. "Room 104 – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie (February 8, 2019). "HBO: 'Room 104' To Get Fourth Season, 'Crashing' & 'High Maintenance' Look Promising For Renewal – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  6. Petski, Denise (July 24, 2019). "'Room 104' Season 3 Gets September Premiere Date On HBO". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  7. Kleinman, Jake (September 13, 2019). "Why 'Room 104' Waited 3 Seasons to Reveal Its Origin Story". Inverse. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  8. White, Peter (May 12, 2020). "'Room 104': HBO Anthology Series Ending After Upcoming Fourth Season". Deadline. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  9. Travers, Ben (December 18, 2018). "'Room 104': Mark and Jay Duplass Are Saving Filmmakers By Bringing Them to Television". IndieWire. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  10. "Room 104 : Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  11. "Room 104: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  12. Travers, Ben (November 7, 2018). "'Room 104' Review: Season 2 Is Such Remarkable, Refreshing Television That Even When It's Bad, It's Good". IndieWire. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  13. Metcalf, Mitch (July 31, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.28.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  14. Metcalf, Mitch (August 7, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.4.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  15. Metcalf, Mitch (August 15, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.11.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  16. "Room 104: Season One Ratings". TV Series Finale. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  17. Metcalf, Mitch (September 12, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.8.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
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  19. Metcalf, Mitch (September 25, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.22.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  20. Metcalf, Mitch (October 2, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.29.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  21. Metcalf, Mitch (October 9, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.6.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  22. Metcalf, Mitch (October 16, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.13.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  23. Metcalf, Mitch (November 12, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.9.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  24. Metcalf, Mitch (November 19, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.16.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  25. Qualey, Erin (November 17, 2018). "Yes, that Room 104 episode is based on a bonkers true story about cannibals". Hidden Remote. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  26. "Room 104: Season Two Ratings". TV Series Finale. December 17, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  27. Metcalf, Mitch (December 3, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.30.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
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  29. Metcalf, Mitch (December 17, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.14.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  30. Salem, Mitch (September 16, 2019). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.13.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
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  32. Metcalf, Mitch (September 30, 2019). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.27.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  33. Metcalf, Mitch (October 7, 2019). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.4.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  34. Metcalf, Mitch (October 14, 2019). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.11.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  35. Metcalf, Mitch (October 21, 2019). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.18.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  36. Metcalf, Mitch (October 29, 2019). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.25.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  37. Metcalf, Mitch (November 4, 2019). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.1.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  38. Metcalf, Mitch (November 11, 2019). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.8.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  39. Metcalf, Mitch (November 18, 2019). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.15.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  40. "Room 104: Season Three Ratings". TV Series Finale. December 4, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  41. "Room 104". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
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