What I’m Watching: Conversations with Friends

Conversations with Friends: Season 1, Episode 8 (B+)

There’s something strange about Melissa being the focal point of an episode since she’s really the most undeveloped of the characters so far, which is interesting since she’s the performer in this cast who I saw first. Jemima Kirke was edgy and unkind on as Jemma on “Girls,” and here Melissa is the one who seems most considerate aside from Frances, save of course for the whole infidelity thing. Bobbi was not happy at all for Frances to touch her when Nick was looking to try to make him jealous, and she shut that down right away. The way in which Frances and Bobbi make up from arguments is so interesting since it’s all over e-mail, which makes some sense given that they’re writers. Bobbi’s comment about watching Frances disappear was indicative of how much Frances is slipping into a relationship where, as she did find out, the other party isn’t similarly invested. All it took was telling Nick that she slept with someone from Tinder for him to reveal an unfairly jealous side, accusing her of taking it out on him when she felt bed. Asking her how she would feel if he was sleeping with other women and then coming to her house to go on about it showed how little he understands his role in this situation, and she hit back with a direct and honest sentiment: that she’s in love with him and he obviously doesn’t feel the same. I suspect that should be enough for the two of them to at least take a break, and we’ll see if the truth ends up coming out anyway or if they get back together shortly.

What I’m Watching: Pieces of Her (Series Finale)

Pieces of Her: Season 1, Episode 8 (B+)

I’m not sure what I expected here since things could really have ended any way since this is the finale of the show and the characters won’t be back for more after this. But there were still a few surprises saved for the finale, with a continuing sense of moral ambiguity about whether the people who committed crimes actually got punished. The biggest revelation was the one that Andy uncovered about her mother, realizing that Jane switched her purse with the woman posing as Grace, and brought the gun with her, telling her that she was afraid of what her father might do to her baby. That adds plenty of context to everything, including Martin putting something in her drink a few episodes earlier. It was fascinating to watch both Jane and Nick react as he got shot, the only two people in the audience not to duck for cover as soon as it happened, as Nick was about to activate what the real plan was. Nick has definitely done things worthy of imprisonment, like killing the real Grace when she got free, and so the idea is that he would pay for what he’s done even if the particular evidence convicting him was fabricated. Jasper also isn’t as guilty since he didn’t plan to have his father killed, but these are powerful people who don’t always get the consequences of their actions. Ending with Andy and Jane together felt as fitting as anything else, since this show was most about their relationship. I’m still curious about some of the pieces in between this show’s flashbacks and the present, but this show has definitely been intriguing and involving.

Series grade: B+
Series MVP: Bella Heathcote as Andy

What I’m Watching: The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (Season Finale)

The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window: Season 1, Episode 8 (D-)

Really? This is supposed to be it? This was absolutely not worth the investment and I’m concerned that the final scene on the plane indicates that this show could return for more inanity in the future. Having the culprit be Emma, who killed her mom because she didn’t want to have a sibling and then her dad because she hated his ventriloquist routine, was dumb, and even though efforts were made to show how she orchestrated all of the fake clues, none of it adds up. I suppose the other thing that could make sense is that everyone would be so dumbfounded by the idea that a child would be attacking them that they wouldn’t think to take it seriously and defend themselves. But it’s not worth using up more energy to try to comprehend it. Everyone coming into the hospital to apologize to her after she repeated the exact same line to each of them felt very forced, and then somehow she ended up being a successful, confident artist who was able to twirl around with delight in the rain and no longer paralyzed by fear. Maybe it had something to do with Douglas, who messed up her prescription and then ended up being father to a new child by the end of the episode. I appreciate dramas and thriller that intrigue and reveal what’s actually going on. This one has been too frustrating and unintelligent to endure, and it didn’t make good use of anyone’s talents, especially Kristen Bell’s.

Season grade: D
Season MVP: None

What I’m Watching: A Teacher

A Teacher: Season 1, Episode 8 (B+)

As I mentioned last week, I’m glad that we didn’t spend time with Claire being in prison since, jarring as I’m sure that would have been to see, I don’t think it’s so necessary because this is ultimately about how her life will continue now that she’s been released. We got enough of a sense of the way that it will continue to follow her with the uncompromising demand to have her lift up her shirt as if she would be smuggling in urine to the test. She also demonstrated that she’d be great at a retail job but then promptly got humiliated by the school mom who wanted the woman trying to give her an application to know that it wouldn’t be acceptable for her to even be considered. Fortunately, her brother was kind to her, but his wife wasn’t quite so willing to condone her activities, like drinking wine during the day and feeling less than motivated after that scarring experience at the store. I immediately recognized M.C. Gainey from “Lost” and “Justified” as her father, and moving in with him seems like a good plan if only because he won’t judge her. I was not pleased to see Eric show up at her door and her let him in, but at least she knew what to say to make it clear to him that this couldn’t continue. I don’t think he’ll simply accept that, but they do need to take some time apart if only because, as she said, seeing him was a violation of her parole.

Emmy Catch-Up: Normal People

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. This year, I’m watching the entire season of every series nominated in the top category, as well as this one, which netted a few important nominations even if it missed the main limited series race.

Normal People: Season 1, Episode 8 (B+)

We know that Connell and Marianne should be together but circumstances just never seem to work out, and though we haven’t seen too much of Helen, Connell seems somewhat happy with her. Jamie, on the other hand, is the absolute worst. When Connell showed up drunk and bloody, he was the antagonist for wrongly concluding that Jamie was talking badly of him when he was actually describing his assailant, but this time Jamie’s words and actions were all his fault. It was disturbing to see Marianne blamed by her friend for bringing this on herself since she invited Connell, and it’s hard to understand how anyone could interpret this situation as anything other than Jamie being awful. His behavior started as merely impolite and chauvinistic, but then he became downright abusive, deliberately breaking something with enormous sentimental meaning to Marianne in a way that was even more cruel than a similar incident on “This Is Us” this past season. Connell was right to storm in and make sure that she was okay, and sharing a bed was purely the best option, even if it did put them back on the path towards romance and love once again, if those feelings have ever really faded. Their conversation about the wealth disparity between them was very interesting since it framed their dynamic in a way that gave Marianne the power and advantage for once, something that rarely happens in their relationship. The honesty that comes from both of them when they speak is truly wondrous, even if it’s not always easy to hear.

What I’m Watching: Unbelievable (Series Finale)

Unbelievable: Season 1, Episode 8 (B+)

I’ve previously encountered actor Eric Lange on shows like “Lost,” “The Bridge,” and “Narcos,” portraying unlikeable characters who aren’t terribly friendly. I thought that he had been cast in an unspectacular role here as Detective Parker, but his performance in this episode demonstrates why he was just the man for the job. The phone call from Grace prompted his typical response, that Marie had actually been lying and that they had to charge her with making a false report, but then the look on his face when he started to understand how wrong he had been conveyed his deep sense of regret over what happened. While Marie wasn’t terribly receptive to the information that he came to surprise her with, Detective Pruitt didn’t even feel the need to apologize when he had been even more aggressive in demeaning her. It was affirming to see her take charge and decide to sue the city, not concerned with trying to get more than she thought would be enough to be able to help her get her life back together. The perpetrator’s refusal to share the password that would only incriminate him further made sense, and Karen stood in for the audience with her incredulousness at his getting to make demands. This series strongly and powerfully dramatized a real-life case, which I’m sure is very triggering and upsetting for many viewers. All three leading actresses turned in truly fantastic performances. I hope they’ll be recognized come Emmy time along with the show itself.

Series grade: B+
Series MVP: Merritt Wever as Grace

What I’m Watching: The Affair

The Affair: Season 5, Episode 8 (B-)

With just three hours left in this show’s run, I’m continuing to doubt the point. Is it that, so many years after ruining his relationship with Helen, Noah is going to return to build a life with her again. It’s easy to feel sympathetic for Noah after watching the horrific Sasha act like a spoiled, bratty child who just wanted all the attention to be on him when it was Helen’s birthday. Recognizing Sierra’s mother when she showed up showed even more what kind of person he was, and Helen would be smart to be rid of him since he’s hardly what she needs at this point in her life. Noah showing up with the perfect gesture at the end of her perspective was the only saving grace, demonstrating how he was there for her in exactly the way that she needed without even knowing it. His life is imploding for many reasons, namely his promiscuous past and the fact that he responds to every allegation of wrongdoing by snapping that it couldn’t possibly have happened. We saw a few familiar faces from “The West Wing” in the form of Janel Moloney’s Ariel and Richard Schiff’s Jon, in addition to Tracie Thoms’ Joyce and Stephen Kunken’s Harry, and all seemed to agree that Noah was never doing the right thing when it came to dealing with what he had done. Confronting Eden was never going to work, and shrinking back into obscurity (or, as the show’s opening theme would suggest, sinking back into the ocean) would probably be his best bet since nothing good is likely to come in the near – or far – future.

What I’m Watching: The Affair

The Affair: Season 4, Episode 8 (B)

Well, I didn’t see that coming. Killing off one of this show’s two leads in the middle of an episode is a bold move, one that makes considerably more sense with the information that Ruth Wilson wanted to leave the show. A few weeks ago, this show was renewed for a fifth and final season, so it doesn’t appear that there would have been all that much more for her to stick around and experience, but I suppose there comes a time for everyone to move on. Having her death confirmed by Noah is made all the more powerful by the fact that we’re still going to have the chance to see her again, with one of the final two episodes of the season sure to feature her descent into despair. I wasn’t ready for the irreversibility and seriousness of that moment after an episode featuring comedy about Cole and Noah being mistaken for a gay couple and Anton getting himself into trouble before taking the best shower of his life. I do applaud the way that things came together and Cole ended up in Milwaukee with flowers and then could so easily drive to O’Hare to pick Noah and Anton up when they happened to get stuck there. While Cole is devastated, I can only imagine how Luisa will feel knowing that she’s still alive but was his second choice, and I’m curious to see what role both of them will play in the final season without Alison as a connection anymore.

What I’m Watching: Humans (Season Finale)

Humans: Season 3, Episode 8 (B+)

This show has gotten darker since it started, and this episode really brought everything together in a way that does suggest that it could continue for a while, at the same time providing an emphatic ending that could serve as the series finale if for some reason if it wasn’t renewed for a fourth season. Mia becoming the face of the synth movement, reaching out and repeating the word “peace” as she was beaten to death, was extremely significant, and now the far more powerful Niska must take her place to become the true leader of her people. Odi being a god-like synth named V presents a more fantastical, supernatural side to this whole thing that isn’t just based on code, or maybe it’s so advanced that he’s able to appear to be controlling events around him and the future by instantly analyzing probabilities and all that. It was reassuring to see Neil ultimately decide to switch sides, first giving Laura the important information she needed to blow the whistle on the commission’s spreading of fake reports of synth violence and then allowing himself to be identified as the one who gave it to her. It may not have worked, and she may be headed to jail, unless Mattie really can manage to get her mother released, though Niska’s appearance could complicate that. The notion that Mattie is going to create a new species of sorts by giving birth to a human-synth hybrid is immensely interesting, and I for one would love to see this show keep going since I think it remains great.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Emily Berrington as Niska

What I’m Watching: The End of the F***ing World (Season Finale)

The End of the F***ing World: Season 1, Episode 8 (B+)

This was a great end to what I would call one of the best new shows of the season, and it’s just a shame that it’s already over. It’s been two months since the show premiered on Netflix and more than six months since its initial run on Channel 4 in the UK, yet we have no news about the possibility of a second season just yet. Things escalated pretty quickly in this finale, with Alyssa’s father excitedly asking the two of them who they killed before dialing the police to turn them in. Eunice being outside the trailer enabled her to burst in at just the right moment offering to help them after Alyssa stabbed her father in the leg and James picked up the phone and confessed to being entirely responsible. I love that the flow of the conversation was interrupted by Alyssa wishing that she could have gotten James something for his birthday, and it was great to hear her say to herself how much she loved James. All she needed was confirmation from Eunice that there was no way they were going to the same place, prompting them to run away and for James to pull the same thing on her. I had thought this show would end with a murder but instead it reformed James and made him fall in love with Alyssa, who’s in love with him too. I’d love to see these characters again since they were both superb, and I’m a big fan of Alex Lawther’s now, who was terrific opposite Jessica Barden, who I already knew was great. What a fantastic show that really knew what it wanted to be – bring on season two, please!

Season grade: A-
Season MVP: Lawther and Barden

What I’m Watching: Mindhunter

Mindhunter: Season 1, Episode 8 (B+)

This was an interesting and unsettling episode, especially in an age where allegations about misconduct are rampant and, at least lately, the accusers are starting to be widely believed. In this case, there isn’t any evidence of wrongdoing, but rather what Holden sees as a very applicable real-world example of how behavior can be used in a predictive context. It was intriguing to see how Holden had to tone down the content of what he wanted to say, using the word “disturbing” as an imperfect euphemism for “deviant,” prompting teachers to come talk to him about something they would classify as disturbing practiced regularly by the very man who brought Holden in. Tickling is far more innocuous than much of what graces the headlines today, and both Bill and Wendy were quick to dismiss Holden as trying to impugn the reputation of a man whose record has no blemishes on it. The fact that a teacher was perceived as having “extra time” because she wasn’t married is fortunately one notion that isn’t nearly as prominent in today’s society, though those who fight the system do still encounter consider resistance and attempts to discredit them. Bill and Holden have experienced a real split after Bill decided he wasn’t going to continue with one subject, and Holden’s opinion isn’t being taken at all into account for their new hire, leading him to contribute his unsolicited thoughts. Holden’s jealousy of Debbie was not becoming, though it does seem that he was right to be worried.

What I’m Watching: Humans (Season Finale)

Humans: Season 2, Episode 8 (B+)

I knew it was a good idea to split this show’s final two episodes of season two up after they aired together. Now, I have the knowledge that this show will be back for a well-deserved third round after it received a renewal last week. It’s sure to be immensely interesting since we’re now entering an incredible new world where all synths are conscious and no one is prepared for how to deal with that. What we saw in this episode was how a synth evolved enough to be aware of and in charge of what she was doing but chose constantly to doubt the morality and inherent ability to be good of humans and to punish them for the actions of a few. Laura, to her credit, held her own when Hester was ready to cut out her eye, and she achieved more success than Leo did when he thought he talked her down but just got a blade to the neck as a reward for his efforts. Anita was brave to shut Hester down by shutting herself down, and Niska arrived at just the right time to ensure that Hester was down for the count. Bidding goodbyes of sorts to both Dr. Morrow and Karen proved very effective, and having Joe attend a party where a synth was a clown helped put all of this in perspective. This was another superb season, and I’m very much looking forward to the third iteration, which should debut in the UK in a few months and then on AMC next year.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Emily Berrington as Niska

What I’m Watching: The Affair

The Affair: Season 3, Episode 8 (A-)

This was the best episode this show has produced in a long time, and I think the main reason for that may have been that we didn’t see Noah at all. I don’t think that he’s necessarily the problem, but his current plotline involving a mystery assailant, probably a vindictive guard, being after him, just isn’t as good as the rest of what this show has to offer. Luisa being the one to go on the stand and say that she’s not a fan of Alison but that she deserves to have shared custody was a game changer, and I think it’s because she’s finally able to separate Alison from Cole. The fact that, after lashing out at Alison because he didn’t think he could trust her and then jumping down her throat when she came to share good news about her new job prospect, he still can’t get her out of his head, and the only reason that he won’t stop pretending not to love her is because he’s not Noah doesn’t make him a particularly good man. It’s also not terribly fair to Luisa, but this was an episode of general female forgiveness for Alison as Helen too came to share a drink with her and barely lob any intense accusations her way. I think that Alison’s advice to Cole about trying to be a happy asshole instead of a miserable hero could work well, and coming from her, it means a lot considering how miserable she’s been for so long. Noah is obviously not the solution, but I think everyone on this show needs to decide what could really make them happy and stop focusing on what makes them unhappy.

What I’m Watching: Downton Abbey (Penultimate Episode)

Downton Abbey: Season 6, Episode 8 (B+)

With just one episode left to go in this show, it’s great that the runtimes are getting longer and almost all ground is being covered. The big event in this episode, which did have quite a few monumental developments, was that Edith finally aired her feelings about Mary. It was a horrible thing for Mary to force Edith to tell Bertie about Marigold in the most awful of settings, and though he’s a very kind man, he couldn’t accept the fact that Edith was going to keep it from him. I’d like to think that she would ultimately have told him before the wedding, but now Mary has ruined it all. Naturally, she just feels bad for herself, and somehow she ends up as the one getting married, with Edith being the bigger person and showing up for the ceremony. I’m sure everyone is hopeful that things will work out and that Bertie will return to take Edith back. Thomas’ suicide attempt was a sad inevitability, and it’s at least good that his actions have caused Robert and Carson to decide to keep him on for the time being. Mosley’s first class was a depressing disaster, and it was so nice to see him confess his servant class identity to his students and win their respect. Mrs. Hughes calling Carson her curmudgeon was sweet, and it’s an affirming sign that their marriage will last. Mrs. Patmore’s bed and breakfast being tainted by a scandal was an unfortunate and amusing obstacle, and fortunately that was quickly rectified by Robert’s immediate offer to help by visiting and being photographed. I have a feeling that the series finale will be great, and I look forward to watching it!

What I’m Watching: The Affair

The Affair: Season 2, Episode 8 (B+)

I’m glad to see that this show is sticking with its new style of barely retelling the same events but instead mostly covering separate ground with its different perspectives. We didn’t see much of Alison in this episode, and the only check-in clued us in to the fact that she and Noah seem to be doing much better in nearly every way, save for that one small fact that he almost cheated on her with his extremely annoying publicist, who felt that it was appropriate to text him that she had FOMO, prompting a hilarious scene in the bar with Helen asking the millennials what it meant. It’s good to see that Helen and Noah are getting back to a better place of coexisting, and it makes sense that she would want her divorce lawyer to defend him when he faced the threat of going to prison. They did have a great time together, and the most compelling part was when she bluntly said that this wasn’t her job anymore, and that she didn’t have to listen to and come up with a solution for his problems. Unfortunately, he was downing plenty of alcohol, and made the very unwise decision to confront the college critic who showed up to heckle him and share the news that he didn’t get the prize he so wanted. I think many viewers of this show consider Noah to be despicable, and it’s hard not to agree with that sometimes. His drunken fumble might be excusable, but his latest unapologetic foray into infidelity with a pregnant fiancée at home is not.

What I’m Watching: Humans (Season Finale)

Humans: Season 1, Episode 8 (B+)

I’m glad that this show will be back for a second season since there is obviously a much bigger story to tell here, and I think that these initial eight episodes really developed it from something which wasn’t fully accessible to a cool show with immensely dynamic characters. Niska giving the code to Laura to hold on to was the ultimate symbol of victory for the human-synth relationship, except for the fact that Niska actually took it with her as she begins her life as a human away from her synth siblings. Hobb implanting Fred with an innate loyalty to him that made him unwillingly transmit his location back to home base was an unfortunate turn of events, but luckily everyone decided that getting away would be in Fred’s best interest even if he couldn’t actually go with them. Karen also managed to find some semblance of happiness with Pete after deciding to betray her brothers and sisters, though I’m not sure how long that will last given their very precarious professional situations. I like the way this show has portrayed its intrapersonal relationships, and that, in its final two hours, it condensed a few plotlines into just one main stream of events, permitting all of its characters to appear on screen together. This show was much better than I expected it to be, and I’m glad that AMC opted to pick it up in partnership with another network and bring it back for next year. I look forward to watching it again in season two to see where it goes!

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Emily Berrington as Niska

What I’m Watching: The Affair

The Affair: Season 1, Episode 8 (B+)

The way this episode started out, I was ready to call it the best hour of this series so far. I might still, but Allison’s time at the hospital with her grandmother wasn’t as strong as much of what happened with Noah individually and with both of them earlier in the episode. Starting off with Noah being awesome at his teaching job gave us a chance to see him thriving, something that he hasn’t been allowed to do at any point yet on this show, and that was a treat. When he went to meet Helen at the restaurant, it wasn’t clear if they were still together or not, and it seems that they quite literally pretended to forget about his indiscretion, though his eagerness to go to the Hamptons to attend his father-in-law’s award did get Helen suspicious. They’re pretty blunt and honest with each other these days, as evidenced by Helen’s admission that she married Noah because he was safe and his response that the news didn’t surprise him. I’d vote for Noah’s attempt to give his son advice on math and bullies over Helen’s unsubtle “Are you bulimic” question to which she got a terrific response from her teenage daughter: “Yes, mom, take me back to therapy.” Noah’s alone time with Bruce was extremely interesting as the older of the two told Noah that he had a muse and she helped him write, and he regretted not keeping it going. Driving your mistress to the hospital so that she can see her dying grandmother is hardly romantic, but this affair is obviously not over. Even in Allison’s recollection, which mostly had to do with Cole stressing over selling the ranch and fighting with her mother over how to take care of her grandmother, the two of them said I love you to each other. Referencing Romeo and Juliet and how it only turned tragic towards the end couldn’t have been more foreboding.

What I’m Watching: Life’s Too Short (Series Finale)

Life’s Too Short: Season 1, Episode 8 “Episode 8”

This is a bit of an unceremonious sendoff for this show, which aired just seven episodes last year before returning with this one-hour special. The previous two series from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant both got two short seasons plus a super-sized special, but I suppose this will have to do. What’s strange about this welcome return is that its first three-quarters are relatively slow-paced and relaxed, and then its final quarter is rushed and takes everything back apart again. For Warwick to have a happy ending was never in the cards, and instead it’s much more appropriate that he be comforted at home by the kindhearted and loving Amy, who actually makes him happy, and that he decide to give up on his dreams because there was never much hope anyway. His friends and clients from Dwarves for Hire expressing that they need to have something to believe in, even if he’s going to ultimately fail, was great, and I love that they concluded that they couldn’t even afford a celebratory drink but were still joyful anyway. Val Kilmer’s self-portrayal was rather miserable, and his Batman costume stunt was on par with some of the more horrifyingly awkward moments on this show. It was endearing to watch Warwick’s crudely-assembled trio come alive, and to see the audience actually embrace their show. Most of the highlights of this episode, which was mostly satisfying, came from the eternally clueless Cheryl, so brilliantly portrayed by Rosamund Hanson. I may not remember this show in a few years, but it was relatively fun while it lasted.

Series finale: B
Series grade: B+
Series MVP: Warwick Davis and Rosamund Hanson
Best Episode: Episode 3