What I’m Watching: United States of Al

United States of Al: Season 2, Episode 4 “Panic/Tars” (B)

So we’re taking a bit of a break from the kiss on the cheek that Al got in the previous episode to unpack some deeper issues affecting Al that he’d like to think don’t represent something worthy of his dignified heritage and are instead merely an American invention. Al passing out in the supermarket was a surprising start, and he went on a whole journey of denial as he tried to reason out why it wasn’t a big deal and how all his time spent in a war zone meant that he knew exactly how not to panic. As usual, Hazel was helpful in pointing out to him things he should have realized on his own, while Art and Riley were mostly about the comedy and poking fun at his determination not to listen to anyone else. It was Lizzie who managed to break through most, underlining the importance of talking to someone and finding a way to be able to think about what was eating away at him and causing him to experience panic attacks. This show does a decent job of walking a line between drama and comedy, infusing most of its moments with a lightness that real life often affords but not shying away from the harsh realities that do remain ever-present, even if they’re not always visible on the surface or at the forefront of someone’s mind at every moment. Now, can we get Al to freak out about something else and go on a date with Ariana?