What I’m Watching: Grace and Frankie

Grace and Frankie: Season 2, Episode 12 “The Party” (B+)

This episode was full of a lot of righteous indignation directed by Frankie at Grace and then a shared realization that they don’t have unlimited time on this earth thanks to Babe’s planned departure. It was good to see Frankie airing her anger at Grace and refusing to back down, which of course led to some comedy when she pettily pretended not to be aware of Grace’s presence and wouldn’t address her in conversation. Babe was a natural peacemaker because she wanted these two very different ladies at her side while she went out with a bang thanks to a helpful assistant from some strong pudding. We’ve barely known Babe, so it’s not a huge loss for us as an audience, but the subject of euthanasia, even in such a peaceful, casual context as this, is still loaded and intense. The other main plotline of the hour started out on a much lighter note, with Robert and Sol both equally shocked about the language Robert’s granddaughter used to refer to Sol and Mallory adamant that they must have misheard her. Mallory revealing that she too used that phrase was a rare moment for her to stand her ground and also offer her own righteous indignation at men who cheat. I’m not sure that Mallory’s husband having an affair is too directly relevant to what we see, but maybe it means Coyote might finally have his shot. There’s a romance I wouldn’t find seeing heat up again. We’ll see what happens in the finale, and it’s nice to know that this enjoyable show has already been renewed for a third season, which should air sometime next year.