The fifth episode of ‘Pam & Tommy,’ titled ‘Uncle Jim and Aunt Susie in Duluth,’ chronicles the rapid and unavoidable spread of the infamous leaked tape from the titular couple’s home. Pamela is facing an increasingly gloomy outcome to the entire situation and, despite her best efforts, feels helpless in containing the secret recording. This is the point at which the video transitions from an underground novelty to national news coverage, and it is presented in all its 1990s nostalgia grandeur.

A number of new characters are introduced, including a stoic Hugh Hefner. There’s a lot to unpack in ‘Pam & Tommy’ episode 5 because it appears like nothing will ever be the same for everyone involved. Let’s take a closer look at this. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

Recap of Pam & Tommy Episode 5

The episode begins with the titular pair reeling from a terrible tragedy. Soon after, at a media gathering, Tommy gets into a brawl after someone brings up the sex tape. This is the first of many moments in the episode in which Pamela and Tommy are perplexed by the number of individuals who have watched their secret tape. The event battle receives press coverage, making Tommy — and, by extension, Pamela — even more noteworthy.

Meanwhile, Tommy is dealing with his own problems and doesn’t seem to realise how serious the situation is. His annoyance grows when he discovers that the Mötley Crüe have been ousted from the larger recording facility and have been replaced by a younger band. Finally, the pair learns that Penthouse, an adult magazine, has a copy of the video and intends to publish still frames from it. Tommy plans to sue the publication in order to “manage” the matter once more.

Pam & Tommy Episode 5 Ending: What Is in Pamela’s Court Order?

Pamela’s rationale that a lawsuit will further publicise the footage is immediately buried during a meeting with the lawyers, surrounded by a room full of men. Sure enough, the case and, by extension, the not-so-private video are quickly covered in every major media. As her publicist informs her that the lawsuit was a mistake, the actress feels furious and helpless.

Tommy maintains that he did the right thing, but is quickly quiet when they hear a late-night talk show presenter (a surprising resemblance to Jay Leno) joking about the video. As a result, the couple’s schism widens. Finally, the storey concludes with Pamela receiving a perplexing court summons. Pamela receives a summons for a deposition, presumably for the lawsuit that the titular couple has filed against Penthouse Magazine.

What is perplexing (but also predictable in a very nefarious way) is that only Pamela has been summoned to give an oral deposition. When she questions Tommy about why he isn’t summoned, he shrugs and rants about how plaintiffs shouldn’t be summoned in the first place. However, this doesn’t change the fact that Pamela, on top of the humiliation she’s already endured, including being called out on Jay Leno’s show, now faces the potential of discussing her personal life in front of a panel of strangers.

Every action the couple takes appears to put them in a worse condition. Pamela’s situation is made worse by the fact that she is the lone woman in the eye of the storm. Despite her publicist’s wise counsel, the issue continues to spiral out of hand. The fact that Tommy doesn’t appear to be assisting — or even comprehending what Pamela is going through — irritates her even more. With the next deposition, it appears that things will only become more public.

Who Is Threatening to Publish Sex Tape Images? Are the images published?

When Tommy files a lawsuit against Penthouse Magazine, the entire situation is blown wide open and made public, resulting in considerable media coverage of the suddenly “juicy” subject. According to Tommy’s lawyers, the complaint is in response to the adult magazine’s threat to publish still frames from the couple’s private recording, which is a violation of personal property.

Of course, the editor-in-chief of Penthouse Magazine, Bob Guccione, is having none of it and has stated unequivocally that he will not have his freedom of expression restricted. According to the summons Pamela receives at the end of the episode, Bob is fighting the case. Because there appears to be a temporary injunction on the photographs, it appears that Penthouse Magazine has not yet published them. However, depending on how the legalities play out, all of this could alter. Of course, this has no effect on the video’s subterranean dissemination. In fact, the national media coverage of the entire incident has likely made the famed recording more popular than ever.

What happened to Rand and Uncle Miltie?

Rand and Uncle Miltie are conspicuously absent throughout the show, with not a single mention of their names heard. Tommy’s private investigator and frightening motorcycle companions appear to have effectively scared away the two individuals originally responsible for the tape’s leak and distribution. Of course, scaring Rand and Uncle Miltie into hiding doesn’t stop the recording from spreading because it’s in the hands of innumerable bootleggers.

Pam and her publicist also uncover links to the video online, which was unheard of in the pre-internet era. Rand’s last known position is in the home of his estranged wife Erica, where he appears to be sheltering with the remaining of the recorded recordings that have yet to be sold (or dispatched). Uncle Miltie, on the other hand, has a more costly plan and was last spotted boarding a flight to Amsterdam. It is unknown whether he intends to return.