Ep 5. Baby Boom

Wray Nerely continues his quest for redemption in “Baby Boom,” the fifth episode of the first season of Con Man. The episode opens with Wray in a quiet moment, surrounded by baby gear and staring at a positive pregnancy test. He’s both stunned and terrified to learn that he’s about to become a father. As if the news isn’t overwhelming enough, his girlfriend Lili is not the sentimental type, giving him a firm reminder of his obligations as a father-to-be.

But as Wray tries to wrap his head around impending fatherhood, he still has to juggle his responsibilities as a working actor. He’s up for a role in an upcoming sci-fi series alongside his old co-star Jack Moore, but there’s one catch: the part requires him to calm down a fussy baby doll. With the pregnancy news fresh in his mind, Wray’s sense of urgency to get the role is palpable.

Meanwhile, Jack is preoccupied with his own problems. He’s hit a rough patch in his relationship with his significant other, and he’s preoccupied with figuring out how to fix things between them. When he learns that Wray’s been tapped to audition for the same part as him, he’s irate. He sees Wray as competition for his own career, and he’s not about to let him get in the way.

As Wray prepares for the audition, he turns to his other former co-star, Mindy, for help. Mindy’s always been the maternal one on-set, and she’s eager to offer him advice on how to calm the baby down. Though Wray’s initially resistant to her suggestions, he ultimately takes her advice to heart. The audition itself is a disaster, but he surprises himself by bonding with the fussy baby in a heartwarming moment.

Despite this breakthrough, it seems like Wray may be down on his luck. Jack snags the role, forcing Wray to deal with the lingering anxiety surrounding the pregnancy news. When he confronts Lili about his fears, she finally opens up to him about how she’s feeling. The two of them have a heart-to-heart about how their lives will change with a new baby on the way.

The episode culminates in a touching scene where Wray and his former co-stars all come together to support him. Mindy and Jack both offer up words of encouragement, reminding Wray that he’s capable of being a great father despite his initial reservations. It’s a rare moment of camaraderie among the formerly warring colleagues.

In the end, “Baby Boom” explores some of the universal themes of fatherhood. Wray may be a struggling actor on a fictional sci-fi series, but his journey is one that many people can relate to. From the initial panic upon discovering the pregnancy to the ultimate acceptance of his new role as a father-to-be, Wray’s journey is one of humor, heart, and ultimately, hope. Con Man season 1 episode 5 is not to be missed.