How did he know to be there, why was he helping Nikki and the deaf guy, and why was he after the Russian guy? I mean, sure, there was some story about the Cossacks centuries ago, but what did it have to do with this guy specifically?
shareI think that was some sort of metaphorical, mystical hocus pocus that was not to be taken too literally or seriously. Like the UFO in season 2, it was just meant to show sometimes help comes in unexpected ways at unexpected times.
There was no way he could've known they'd be there; you're right about that.
He was Jesus of the Bowlarama!
He serves out justice to the wicked (Juri) and sanctuary for those in need. (Nikki and Wrench).
Was this the same bowling alley that was used to film The Big Lebowski? Remember Sam Elliot sat at the bar and chatted with the Dude? It sure looked the same! Then there was the same type of weird metaphysical person at the bar giving advice and helping? I'm reaching here, I know, but it was a strange coincidence.
shareI don't remember enough from Lebowski to say if they were the same bowling alley, but they could be!
shareIt was just another Deus Ex Machina moment this show likes to pull out of its ass whenever some character(s) in the plot needs assistance or comeuppance.
Although it didn't bother me as much as the silly UFO moments in season 2, it was still just another leap into fantasy that stands out like a misguided sore thumb in this otherwise well-written show.
The man was a real character we've seen on the show before, though - Gloria met him on her trip to Cali.
shareHe could just as easily have been an apparition or spirit or whatever doodad we should call him in the California scenes, too.
I'm not saying he definitely wasn't a "real" person, but the way he was presented on the show it's certainly trying to paint him as being some sort of mystical figure. To me, he seemed like an obvious heavy-handed pastiche of Sam Elliott's friendly cowboy stranger in The Big Lebowski, the realness of whose character was open to interpretation, also.