What I’m Watching: Doll and Em

Doll and Em: Season 2, Episode 2 (B+)

I’m really enjoying this show in its second season, and I think it’s done a great job growing into itself. I immediately recognized Olivia Wilde as one of the actresses unknowingly auditioning for a role in Doll and Em’s play (I couldn’t peg Evan Rachel Wood though), and the two of them having them over for dinner at the end of the episode was a nice treat because it enabled our two protagonists to bond while watching the younger actresses analyze and judge them. Em falling asleep while Doll was having an honest conversation with her and trying to deny it was entertaining, and I like that both of them skyped with their mothers, who were equally incredulous about the idea of them directing an off-Broadway play. Em trying to have multiple phone calls at once while her son was following her around asking for food was very funny, and I love that she told the whole stirring citizenship story to Doll by accident and that she found it very nice and then hung up because she had found her daughter. Dropping off the kid on a random stoop so that she could go get money to buy the mirror was nearly as hilarious as her leaving her with him, which resulted in them playing cards and then him bringing her home later that night. It’s not a surprise that their future portrayers thought they were a couple, and it’s a real treat to see them both got along, hopelessly awkward but still better together than apart.