What I’m Watching: Enlightened (Season Finale)

Enlightened: Season 1, Episode 10 “Burn It Down” (B+)

I’m not sure what kind of closure this episode could really have provided without compromising its very essence. To have Amy achieve what she wants would be too easy, and wouldn’t allow her to be fulfilled amid all the frustration that plagues her daily life. Leaving her working late to expose the higher-ups at her company alone in a basement, hallucinating about burning the place down, is actually quite fitting. Damon’s willingness to allow her to present her ideas was surprising, but, sadly, his behavior after she walked out of the room wasn’t. Now that Tyler has given her his password (not that the logic of that makes much sense), Amy has a renewed sense of purpose, exemplified by her show of enthusiasm for her job when the newly extra-careful Dougie called her into his office to ask her if she even wanted to be there. Sending Levi off to greener pastures may help him come back a better man, and I like that both of them said “I love you” to each other before he got on his flight. It’s totally unclear where next season would go, and the show has yet to be renewed, actually. I think HBO will want to stick by it, especially after the exciting show of support it got from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association yesterday when it received nominations for Laura Dern and for Best TV Series – Comedy/Musical. I’m glad some are embracing this show, and I’d be happy to come back for some more at some point in 2012 or 2013.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Laura Dern