What I’m Watching: Better Things

Better Things: Season 2, Episode 5 “Phil” (B)

I think I mentioned last week that this show is taking a much darker and more serious turn? That’s definitely true in this installment centered almost entirely on Sam’s mother, who usually has a supporting role but has lately been figuring more into the main narrative as she experiences loss of control of bodily functions and forgets where she parked her car. The impulse that she couldn’t control to steal the ring didn’t have much to do with age, but that doesn’t make it any less embarrassing since it probably seems to others like she’s losing her mind. Stepping into a hole and injuring herself to avoid yet another recognized instance of not being able to locate her car was an unfortunate direction, one that shows Sam, if for different reasons, that her mother needs to put into some sort of assisted-living situation. We got a quick glimpse of Kevin Pollak as her brother Marion over the phone, who didn’t understand why Sam was calling him if she didn’t want his help but was still annoyed at him for not being involved. For now, and I guess until something truly irreversible happens, Phil will remain with Sam and her daughters, since Sam isn’t ready to commit to offloading her just yet. Bringing her daughters to meet Robin was full of boundary-pushing moments that showed what troublemakers they could be when they want to led to a still relatively successful meeting, but Sam gave in to her self-destructive impulses anyway and showed up at her ex Mather Zickel’s home anyway.