What I’m Watching: Breeders

Breeders: Season 1, Episode 9 “No Cure – Part 1” (B+)

This episode ended on a surprisingly serious note, one that I didn’t expect at all and which firmly establishes this show as a dramedy, even more so than when Michael suddenly died. Paul wasn’t exactly having a blast when Ally was coming and going so often, but the two of them were up to their usual antics of trying to get by with minimal effort rather than necessarily going the full distance to address a problem. Putting frozen peas on Luke’s head so that he wouldn’t register a higher temperature was clever but obviously a bad idea, and by the time Luke threw up while Paul was in a meeting about a prospective job, he was sick enough that he would later need to go to the hospital. Paul being told to come in without knowing anything before the camera faded to black was such a haunting way to end, and I really do hope everything turns out okay. Jim trying to explain to Ava why he’s never offered a hug to Paul was interesting, and I like that the nature of his relationship with his son continues to come up after Paul alluded to what it was that he needed from his father as he was about to propose. Ally was doing well work-wise on her frequent trips, but it was taking a clear toll on her mental health to be away so much and to know how influential her presence and absence were. This show has yet to be renewed for a second season, but based on what we’ve seen so far, I really hope it gets brought back for more.