What I’m Watching: Better Things (Series Finale)

Better Things: Season 5, Episode 10 “We Are Not Alone”

I think this is just about as fitting a finale as we could have gotten, with Phil and Max left in England in the previous episode and nothing necessarily left to be finished in this one. I like that it was essentially a collection of normal experiences, including Sunny and Jeff getting married again and Sam searching frantically for a tampon while Jeff was on the toilet. Meeting Jon Ortiz’s ranger who was happy to connect with Sam about the house she used to live in but didn’t want to rescind the ticket he had just issued them for dumping Gefilte the fish in public water was fun, but it was even nicer to see a whole host of familiar faces. Caroline – or is it Carolyn – coming over to bond with Sam about the matricidal impulse was a great touch, as was Marian reminding her that the baseball cards were his and then crying over the gift she got him. Duke telling Sam she was nice was an important moment of bonding, while Frankie didn’t get the same sweet signoff, but did instead get to deliver an intense interpretation of the glass-smashing wedding tradition. Ending with Sam putting up a for sale sign might have been enough, but getting to see everyone sing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” was particularly fantastic. This show has been unique and great, and I hope it earns some more Emmy attention for its final season. I’ll look forward to what Pamela Adlon does next and also to see the other talented performers in successive projects.

Series finale: A-
Series grade: B+
Season MVP: Pamela Adlon
Season grade: B+
Series MVP: Pamela Adlon
Best Season: Season 4
Best Episode: “Graduation”