Monday, May 9, 2022

What I’m Watching: Julia (Season Finale)

Julia: Season 1, Episode 8 “Chocolate Soufflé” (B+)

The announcement of this show’s renewal for a second season came at a perfect time, and I’m continually amused by the fact that I asked the show’s creators if they always envisioned this as an eight-episode limited series, to which they responded that it wasn’t, and they were hoping to be picked up for a second season. Well, that happened, and it makes a lot of sense given that there’s much more to this story. Julia cursing while they were filming and then declaring her intention to stop making the show caught everyone by surprise and forced them to consider what they’re going to do with their lives. Russ complimenting Alice’s burp out at dinner was a particularly fun moment where they seemed ready to move on and not care about much anymore. For all his feigned support and admiration for Julia, Albert has clearly not grown in his appreciation for his new colleague, one of the many people to continue to underestimate Julia. Paul taking pictures of the crew during the filming of the last episode was sweet and sentimental, and fortunately they’ll all have more time to create new memories. Russ didn’t win out in all of this since he got what he wanted and then promptly had it taken away, which means he won’t have a chance to grow and do what he really wants. Blanche confessing that she’s going blind was an interesting thing to share with Judith, who admittedly has been one of the most consistently professional people in this whole extended operation. This show has been fun and informative, and I’m looking forward to seeing season two when it returns.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Sarah Lancashire as Julia

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