Even after Lawther discovered about that loopy twist-ending, he nonetheless needed to be reminded to include that information into his efficiency. The viewers would not perceive why Kenny was so extremely emotional, however Kenny — and Lawther — undoubtedly would.

“[Director] James Watkins stored giving me light nudges, reminding me how excessive the stakes have been for Kenny,” the actor recalled. “The viewers is likely to be considering, ‘Oh, come on. You have not performed something that improper.’ After which we discover out precisely what he has performed.”

Therein lies the genius of “Shut Up and Dance.” Some artistic decisions would possibly really feel extreme earlier than the massive reveal, identical to protecting the episode’s particulars a secret may need felt irritating for Lawther through the audition course of, however the drama of Kenny’s unveiling makes all of it price it. The viewers and characters needed to really feel like they have been working at the hours of darkness, led by an invisible hand — in Kenny’s case, the blackmail of the hackers, and within the viewers’s case, Kenny’s hid dramatic motive. In “Shut Up and Dance,” the narrative invitations the viewers to do psychological gymnastics proper into the improper conclusion. The characters dance, the actors dance — and so, too, do you.