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

What I’m Watching: Julia

Julia: Season 1, Episode 7 “Foie Gras” (B+)

Ah, attending an event even though you’re very sick – hopefully something that’s going to be a thing of the past now two years into a global pandemic. Paul being laid up in bed and complaining nonstop was a great opportunity for comedy with Avis making multiple references to wanting to kill him and then rushing to clarify to the doctor that she wasn’t Paul’s mistress when he stormed out. But it was also yet another moment of unexpected dramatic connection that this show has delivered for its supporting characters, with Avis sharing with Paul why she wasn’t eager to go to the event. Paul’s retort of “Oh, you’ve died” to her saying that it just felt like he was dying was my favorite moment of that entertaining and ultimately endearing exchange. Julia, who tends to be rather unflappable, encountered a truly condescending French chef who started out by complimenting her before insulting her entire gender, and it was interesting to see how Judith went to advocate for Blanche to be kinder to her, which resulted in Blanche giving her a dressing-down of sorts that will make her consider the path she’s on currently with her career. Introducing her entire team by name was very sincere and genuine, and it was good to see Avis request to leave early to go meet her date and Russ step in to defend her when Betty Friedan talked down to her about what she was doing. The most heartwarming interaction of all was her ending scene with Fred Rogers, who didn’t introduce himself but made her feel perfectly comfortable when that’s what she needed most.

What I’m Watching: Julia

Julia: Season 1, Episode 6 “Breads” (B+)

Exhausted new parent Russ really is much nicer and more amenable to just about anything Julia says than the man we came to know previously, and, like so many, he had no idea that sweetbreads were not in fact some sort of pastry or donut but instead a far less appetizing part of the meat that only appeals to a select clientele. They were, however, far more authentically French, something that Julia felt she needed to do given the reshoot opportunity after being made to feel guilty by Simca. Having to skip her planned break meant controlled chaos for everyone around her, starting with Judith and Paul reluctantly teaming up to bake bread but then figuring out the perfect solution after a whole lot of experimentation. Avis and Alice had some interesting interactions, starting with Avis not realizing that a lack of pushiness was all that was preventing Alice from being helped at the market and leading to Alice breaking the news to Avis that they could now pay someone to do that job that she had until now been volunteering to do. Julia stepped in to fix it all and defend Avis to Alice, and then, when she went in to meet with Hunter and he pitched her on a second season, ensured that Alice got a full producer credit as a reward for all the unrecognized hard work she’s been doing. There’s no word just yet on whether this series will get a second season, but I’d happily watch more of this light culinary drama.

What I’m Watching: Julia

Julia: Season 1, Episode 5 “Crepes Suzette” (B+)

There is a certain rhythm that seems to have been established for this show-within-a-show, and I especially enjoyed the crew rushing over to sample the food as soon as cut was called. Julia being invited to San Francisco to do a promotional spot presented an interesting opportunity to go on the road and see how the greater public responded to Julia, and the eager fans waiting in line for the book signing was a great start to the trip. I couldn’t figure out where I knew the actor playing James Beard, and I now see that it was Christian Clemenson, the Emmy winner from “Boston Legal” who is great at disappearing into roles like this one. Julia had a good time with him even if he did push her typical limits – like going to a drag show where someone performed as her and even invited her up for a surprisingly sweet duet – and she also knew when to tell him that she was done, so that she could go back to the hotel and relax with a frustrated and abandoned Paul. While he was without Julia, Paul did have an opportunity to reconnect with Claire, which helped him to process his priorities. I liked that Russ was mistaken for Alice’s assistant by the San Francisco PBS guys, and he was unexpectedly honest about his initial doubts about Julia’s show being a workable concept. Alice and Avis bonding back at home was very worthwhile, especially since Alice didn’t find the support she needed in her mother ,who rather coldly reminded her that she was her mother and not her friend.

What I’m Watching: Julia

Julia: Season 1, Episode 4 “Petit Fours” (B+)

This whole situation with the article about Julia’s program that ended up complimenting her while putting down the rest of WGBH’s slate was an entertaining series of misunderstandings, one that best showcased a one-way conversation between Hunter and Julia when he suggested that she apologize to Albert for slighting him when she had never even been consulted about the article in the first place. Alice did do a remarkable job of hustling and trying to find other affiliates who would be interested in picking up the show, and though her coworkers were upset about it when they first heard the news, it was a monumental and important moment that was key to Julia’s career and the popularization of her brand. Julia also figured out a way to solve Albert’s ego problem by getting John Updike to come on his show, and though his visit wasn’t all that enticing at the start, Albert’s first question got him sufficiently interested and made him think about things in an entirely new way. Julia has such a simple manner about her, startled to be receiving calls at home asking about recipe substitutions and wondering whether she should consider taking steps to ensure her privacy and safety. Her trip to her Smith reunion was eye-opening, since everyone revered her and some, like Iris, appreciated her for much more than that. Supporting Paul at his opening led him to an important realization about his own career, one that should help him be the partner Julia needs at this juncture. Ending the episode on their relationship was sweet, but I think my favorite part was the excitement Russ and Avis had to show Julia the ceiling mirror technique they came up with to solve a few problems at the same time.

Take Three: Julia

Julia: Season 1, Episode 3 “Boeuf Bourguignon” (B+)

It seems incredibly obvious that the producer assignments are backwards, and that Russ should continue to work with Albert while Alice gets to team up with Julia. Yet there’s likely some wisdom to the idea of those who don’t see eye-to-eye on things collaborating since they’ll be able to make each other better and come at things from a different vantage point. That’s probably a more sophisticated and polite way of saying “My circus, my clowns.” Though Russ tried to let Julia down easy by showing her the numbers and how it all couldn’t possibly work, she was ready once again to casually offer up the money to pay for it all, something that wasn’t immediately possible on her end but which she figured out a way to resourcefully provide. Knowing that it was only temporarily is affirming, as is the fact that Paul happened to find something to do that would take him out of town so that he wasn’t constantly there. He’s certainly more supportive than Julia’s father, played by James Cromwell, who has his own ideas of what success means and what the gender roles should be in a relationship. Even if he didn’t mean it to be productive or helpful, Russ pointing out to Julia that she should structure the season like a meal rather than by course so that they didn’t have five soups in a row made a lot of sense, and I’m sure he’ll be endeared to her more and more as the show – the one featured and this one – go on. The puppets will certainly help.

Round Two: Julia

Julia: Season 1, Episode 2 “Coq Au Vin” (B+)

This show has a terrific cast, led by Sarah Lancashire as Julia, who does a great job of mimicking the real Julia’s voice but also of capturing her mannerisms. I particularly enjoy her interactions with Russ, who is set on her concept failing but who was unable to resist the appeal of her cooking even though he continued to insist that it was irrelevant to her marketability as a TV program host. It’s fun to watch Fran Kranz in this role after getting to interview him about his directorial debut with last year’s “Mass” and seeing how nice he was, a far cry from his obnoxious producer here. I’m also impressed with Fiona Glasccott’s performance as Judith, who believes strongly in Julia and knows what it feels like to continuously be told that women shouldn’t be taken as seriously as men, by the likes of Judith Light’s Blanche Knopf. Though Paul doesn’t always understand what support his wife needs, it was sweet to see him spring into action to hold the cue cards for her during the show and then get incredibly excited by her wine improvisation when she had to fill time because they were running a few minutes early. Given the hurdles and mishaps she had to endure while live on-air, she did a pretty great job working with what she had, and though I don’t remember the exact sequence of events, I’m looking forward to seeing her performance speak for itself and blow Russ’ expectations out of the water.

Pilot Review: Julia

Check out my one-minute take on every new pilot, which is embedded below and you can also watch by subscribing to movieswithabe on YouTube.

What I’m Watching: Californication

Californication: Season 7, Episode 2 “Julia” (B)

I was much happier with this installment than I was with last week’s premiere for a few reasons, though I still strongly doubt that this final season will prove to be the show’s most compelling. Its most positive sign was the fact that its mundane conversation moments were actually interesting, most notably the scene with all of the writers gathered around the table. Mary Lynn Rajskub of past and near future “24” fame, made quite an impression with only a few lines and a lot of vomit, and I’m sure she’ll follow that debut up with more of her winning personality in the coming episodes. Hank’s effort level for his work is about on par with what’s in been in the past, but the difference here is that he’s not showing off just for Karen, who only cares that he has a job of some sort, but for the newfound son who idolizes him and wants to be a part of it. Levon’s antagonistic behavior towards the cops didn’t do him any favors, but, surprisingly, insulting Rick’s past work seems to have earned him an instantaneous job. I won’t comment on Charlie’s rather public Viagra incident since it more than speaks for itself. I was excited to see that Heather Graham is the actress who will play Levon’s mom, though after this start, I’m worried it might be a rather boring performance. I’d hope that she’d be on par with Graham’s character in “About Cherry” rather than her lackluster bisexual in “Gray Matters,” a highly forgettable comedy I’m not sure anyone else saw from a few years ago.