What I’m Watching: Better Things

Better Things: Season 2, Episode 8 “Arnold Hall” (B+)

Sam has such a big role in her daughters’ lives that it’s easy to forget that there are others who were at one time involved too. We’ve never heard of Grandpa Arnold, but he just showed up expecting everyone to drop everything and come see his big show. I wasn’t sure where I recognized Croatian actor Rade Serbedzija from, and I think it’s either the short-lived TV show “Red Widow” or the films “In the Land of Blood and Honey” or “5 Days of War.” Sam usually goes into situations with a bit too much energy that isn’t always appropriate, but in this case she wasn’t at all at fault, since Arnold’s suggestion that she continue to support Xander when he has no role in his daughters’ lives and the famed musician has money of his own was truly laughable. Frankie got the chance to give a speech of her own to Sam about how bald she’s getting and how close her career is to being over, which Sam managed not to get too riled up during. Sam did a marvelous job regaling the crowd at Push’s bar mitzvah, only dropping a few comments that would be considered objectionable. This show doesn’t usually address Pamela Adlon’s Judaism, but that was on full display in her discussion of nachas and Bubbes in this entertaining toast. We don’t see Sunny much anymore, and clearly she has some serious hatred for her sister. Frankie locking Sam out at the end of the episode left things off on a fatalistic note, and I do sincerely hope that Xander doesn’t soon become a resident of her garage.