What I’m Watching: Grace and Frankie

Grace and Frankie: Season 1, Episode 4 “The Funeral” (B-)

This episode was a bit more gimmicky than the ones that came before it, using a funeral to set the stage for both Grace and Frankie to behave inappropriately and Robert and Sol to steal the spotlight by coming out to all of their befuddled and confused friends. I read an article on Gold Derby recently that this show makes a case for the rare instance of the half-hour drama, which I can see in a sense, though I still think this show is more of a structural comedy in its overarching plot. Robert breaking down and crying at the sight of Grace looking so put together and Frankie later getting into the car with Sol before she realized that it wasn’t actually her ride coming at that very crucial moment definitely support the dramatic argument and work well to make this show an empathetic study of divorce at its most difficult. Those tender moments outdid their setting, a funeral which provided a few funny quips but little else in the way of practical development. Though Coyote was referenced, none of the adult children were seen, which is a shame, since I think that shows like this are even better when they expand beyond their prime focuses and incorporate more of the ensemble. Meeting Robert’s sister, who was so warm to Grace before letting her down by informing her that she was no longer a prime guest at her daughter’s wedding, was enlightening, and I definitely did not recognize Christine Lahti as the actress portraying her.