What I’m Watching: Loot (Season Finale)

Loot: Season 1, Episode 10 “The Silver Moon Summit” (B+)

There were plenty of things that could have gone wrong at this summit, and I think Molly drinking an entire class of fully brown water on stage and then having to run to the bathroom was pretty formidably spectacular. She made a major pivot after that misstep, joining a panel and declaring that she was going to start giving away all her money. That is going to make for an interesting season two, especially given the latest predictable development, which is that, despite Arthur wanting to talk to her and theoretically confess his feelings, she woke up in bed next to John. Being there for Molly when she’s not doing well is hardly a badge of honor, and now that most of her colleagues know that Arthur likes her, it may undo some of the progress she’s made in being relatable. Nicholas calling Arthur the living embodiment of an Olive Garden breadstick somehow didn’t feel as mean as it could have, but Nicholas and Howard were not at all happy to learn that Arthur had ended things with Chelsea. It’s not as if things haven’t been awkward so far with that romantic tension at work and Molly trying too hard to suppress it only to start dating someone who seemed nice but is ultimately all about the world she’s trying to leave behind, so I suppose it can’t get much worse. This show is fun and seems to have plenty of room to grow, and so I’m looking forward to seeing where season two goes.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Maya Rudolph

What I’m Watching: Loot

Loot: Season 1, Episode 9 “Cahoga Lake” (B+)

Nicholas does go to absurd lengths to prepare the perfect experience for Molly every day which she definitely doesn’t know has been so carefully calibrated and curated. Nicholas yelling at famous chef David Chang to do better was a particularly entertaining moment of that. The successful approval of the zoning project was cause for celebration on Sofia’s part, but Molly had to face the harsh reality that it was still four years away from being put into effect and that there were many constituents who were not at all happy with her. After they hurled a number of cruel insults at her, Arthur stepped in to protect Molly from being pied in the face, but then Jean-Pierre just showed up and whisked her away by helicopter. He’s trying to pull her back into the world that she’s starting to escape, and opting only to send the fancy champagne she had promised she would share with Nicholas since she was jetting off with Jean-Pierre was an unfortunate decision that’s going to have reverberations in their relationship. It was great to see Howard step in to be there for Nicholas as he worked through his inability to emote and the challenge of having to cry on stage. Finally answering Tonya’s calls and breaking up with her was a satisfying moment, though it’s possible we’ll see more of her again. Nicholas and Howard hugging and declaring each other best friends was very sweet, and it’s nice to see how that relationship has evolved since its start.

What I’m Watching: Loot

Loot: Season 1, Episode 8 “Spades Night” (B)

It’s great to see the underdog and “nice guy” getting a boost of confidence after doubting that he might be able to win over the woman he likes, but unfortunately that’s playing out at the same time as Molly seems to be pretty happy with Jean-Pierre. Though we only saw him giving her a strawberry Kit Kat made only from Japan at the start and then texting her a picture of the lavish gift that he had for her the next time they saw each other at the end, she did express that she was feeling very good. Hopefully, some time spent with the family that she hasn’t had a chance to see in a long time will make her more down-to-earth and appreciate the less exotic appeal of someone like Arthur. Howard, as usual, didn’t completely think through his plan to get Renee to like Molly, but she managed to endear herself after the new table misstep by just opening up and telling the truth. It was good to see Kym Whitley from “Made for Love” as Renee and Britney Young from “GLOW” as Kelly, the cousin whose close friendship with her roommate was interpreted as a secret relationship by her entire family. I like that Sofia getting a delivery of flowers to the office with a salacious note inspired Arthur and Nicholas to get so invested in her relationship drama, and for them to confront her and then offer differing perspectives on which of them she should choose.

What I’m Watching: Loot

Loot: Season 1, Episode 7 “French Connection” (B+)

It wasn’t the fact that Jean-Pierre’s first language is French that made Molly’s is-it-a-date with him such a frustrating experience, but rather that he just couldn’t make it clear if he wanted to be with her romantically or if he just really, really wanted to work with her. It was fun to discover that Sofia is apparently an excellent Internet stalker, one of the many elements of her out-of-work personality that deserve more of a focus down the road. But it still took time for her to figure out that Jacqueline wasn’t in fact his girlfriend, and then he had to go ahead and ride on a horse to show her that he was actually interested in her romantically but hadn’t been sure about whether or not to make a move. Sofia did seem to pick up on Arthur coming in to ask about Molly, so hopefully there still might be a chance for the two of them down the road. Nicholas and Howard’s friendship took an unexpected turn when Nicholas realized that Tanya was not in it for the long haul and tried to warn Howard, only to find out that Tanya was on the phone with him testing whether Nicholas was a dangerous element to have around because he might try to share the truth with Howard. I liked Howard’s line “Here’s a movie I haven’t seen, Get Out!” but it does spell trouble for his romantic future and is definitely going to make things uncomfortable at the office.

What I’m Watching: Loot

Loot: Season 1, Episode 6 “The Philanthropic Humanitarian Awards” (B+)

It’s good to see that not all impulsive decisions end up being the wrong ones, as the surprise donations turned out to be an extremely well-received effort that drummed up some much-needed good press for Molly and everyone else. Getting invited to the gala was a true opportunity for Molly to be recognized for her achievements separate from John, but then he had to go and show up there. Revealing to her that he was the one who had set it all up to give her a win was not what she needed, but she did a good job of resisting his cruel taunts, including that it was way easier to give money away than earn it. She also managed to get very much under his skin by going over to take a picture with both him and Hailey in front of everyone, and it was sweet to see how the whole team was there to depart with her when they realized that’s what would be best. Being asked to collaborate by the vodka magnate was a confidence-boosting moment, one that will surely make John jealous but can also just be about her and what’s good for her at the moment. Arthur being so intimidated by his programming hero was an opportunity for Howard to really process how older people saw him and how he doesn’t want his life predetermined. The term “six-billion dollar prison” feels extremely privileged and not terribly in touch with the way most people live, which was surely purposeful since Molly has already started to evolve beyond that.

What I’m Watching: Loot

Loot: Season 1, Episode 5 “Halsa” (B+)

This episode cleverly changed things around so that Molly and Arthur’s would-be relationship won’t be able to happen because Arthur moved on too quickly, though she didn’t exactly leave the door open for any chance at romance when the press started to get ideas about them. Arthur’s uncertainty about getting rid of the painting was an entertaining start, and though he’s sad about being alone, I think he’s also become accustomed to his routine, which is going to change now that he has someone new in his life. After new best buds Howard and Nicholas were dubious about letting Arthur “be their third,” as he put it, they were ultimately both just impressed that he was able to pick someone up IRL, a term that he had never heard but which the less generally social Sofia knew. Having that news thrown in Molly’s face was definitely not what Arthur wanted, and that weird high-five/hand-holding moment was quite awkward. Leaving the office for a mental health day did not seem the smart choice when there was so much work to be done, but I guess this show really is just as much about Sofia learning to loosen up as it is Molly getting to see how she doesn’t necessarily belong in the world where she used to live. Finding out about a wives’ trip that she was no longer invited on because her ex-husband’s new flame went was a harsh wake-up call, and she responded in an immature way that’s going to force her to find new support systems.

What I’m Watching: Loot

Loot: Season 1, Episode 4 “Excitement Park” (B+)

It’s not a surprise that Molly had no idea that she owned most of the theme parks in the Philippines, and it’s really just inconvenient press that one of them got stuck upside down for hours, theoretically under her watch. Arthur was sweet to offer to go through all of her assets, and the “First American Heritage” name for the art museum was a red flag that turned out to be nothing. But the flirtation that had been apparent earlier got even more intense, but it reached the point that they got noticed by paparazzi and described as an item. Molly greatly overcorrected to ensure that there weren’t any misconceptions, no longer laughing at his jokes when he came into her office, but that package she had sent back before she started worrying about such things was indicative of how she felt. Arthur isn’t likely to forget those feelings either, which should create plenty of tension around the office. Sofia wasn’t happy to have her zoning meeting hijacked by questions about Molly’s involvement, but hopefully that attention will still mean more focus on the project, with ideally just the right level of contribution in terms of unqualified support from Molly and little else. Nicholas and Howard’s friendship has continued to blossom, much to Nicholas’ horror, but Howard did manage to motivate his new buddy into going in for the audition and then turning around to really give it a shot when he tried to bail early before actually trying.

Take Three: Loot

Loot: Season 1, Episode 3 “Hot Seat” (B)

This episode didn’t wow me all that much since it felt like things were predictably going to implode since Molly hadn’t ever done much press and couldn’t possibly have learned everything she needed to know in such a short amount of time. There could probably have been another way to do things, but that’s not how it all shook out, and instead she ended up going on “Hot Ones” and sweating out her feelings in a way that didn’t go well at all. I haven’t ever seen that particular show but I feel like I’ve seen short clips that suggest it could be an entertaining opportunity to see a celebrity in an unusually vulnerable form or a complete disaster. It was good, throughout this whole process, to see Sofia benefit from the absurd luxury in which Molly lives, enjoying the opportunity to request the food she wanted and especially a drink that would make her very happy. I was also excited to see Dylan Gelula from “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and “S#!%house” as Hailey, John’s new girlfriend who I do hope returns again. I’m not sure how to feel about the newfound friendship between Nicholas and Howard because they function at such different levels, and Howard seems even more oblivious to how the world really works than Molly, which is saying something. What does intrigue me is how Arthur showed up to give Molly desperately-needed glasses, the latest example of an interaction that felt much more flirtatious than I think it should have been given the nature of their professional relationship.

Round Two: Loot

Loot: Season 1, Episode 2 “Bienvenidos a Miami” (B+)

It’s going to be quite an adjustment for Molly to understand what life is for those who don’t have access to whatever they want at any moment, but she’s already starting to change her perspective. Maybe it was being around her new coworkers that showed her how much the people she used to associate with primarily were out of touch with what actually mattered, namely the need to not have anyone else dining even in their vicinity, to the point of buying out the entire roof so they would be forced to move inside. Bringing the whole team to Miami under the guise of a bonding retreat turned out to be a big mistake when weather grounded them in Oklahoma City and it was revealed that she just wanted to go to the party, but having them all show up at the bar next door, even Sofia, was a sign that they were willing to consider that she might have something to offer if they gave a chance. I am enjoying seeing Michaela Jaé Rodriguez as Sofia after watching her in a more serious role on “Pose,” and it was great to see that Molly knew exactly what to do to present her in the best light when she interrupted her meeting about zoning with the council member so that she could simply lighten the mood and give her unconditional approval to the woman who knows what she’s doing best. Opening with all the staff enjoying that extremely excessive pool was a fun start, and they seem to generally be happy with their admittedly out-of-touch boss.

Pilot Review: Loot

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