Sunday, June 6, 2021

What I’m Watching: United States of Al

United States of Al: Season 1, Episode 10 “Matchmaker/Roybar” (B+)

It’s nice to see different characters get a spotlight, and I hope that we see Lizzie in a similarly dramatic – or even comedic – context soon too. After a momentarily curmudgeon-like response to the idea of being set up, Art was surprisingly open to it, and not nearly as grumpy as he tends to be about other things. As usual, Al’s intentions were very good but not entirely spot-on, and it was Riley who saw an opportunity when a woman’s car needed to be fixed to ensure that they spent more time together by having her drive Art home. Rachel Bay Jones, a Tony winner for “Dear Evan Hansen,” has been appearing everywhere recently, showing up in Amazon’s “Panic” and season two of “Why Women Kill,” and I think she’ll make a great love interest for Art. Ending the episode with him sitting by his late wife’s grave and asking her for permission to date again was very sentimental, and though the camerawork was a bit strange, it provides optimism for the future and depth for a show that’s sometimes only surface-level. I did enjoy the small-town nature of these characters and how they all knew or had heard something about each one of the women who ended up in Al’s binder. His efforts to play Bingo without actually gambling were mildly entertaining if hardly the most sophisticated plotline. Hazel’s repeated attempts at making jokes that were poorly received by all of her family members were a lot of fun too.

No comments: