When Drew's condition worsens, he needs to make sure Gina is still serious about donating her kidney and winds up making her an offer she can't refuse.
In 2019, the television industry aired 532 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of CBS' B Positive.
"Die Alysis" was directed by James Burrows with story by Heide Perlman and teleplay by Greg Malins & Darrin Bragg
Serious effort is made here to expand this world of characters. It provides more areas for this story to occupy and explore. Drew didn't believe he was going to need dialysis because he had lined up a kidney donor right away. And now, he has to have several sessions a week. That gives him a support group of sorts with people who are going through the exact same process. As such, they can navigate him through the ups and downs of this entire situation. It's important for him to show up on time for his treatment and for him to respect the nurse caring for him. He may ultimately have it lucky because Gina is willing to donate her organ. The other people in the room aren't so lucky. The friends and family in their lives are too selfish or unmotivated to make this sacrifice for them. That's unfortunate. It means they live in ambiguity waiting for some stranger to die just so they can get their organ. It's grim and gruesome. It's their reality though. Of course, Samantha presents as someone trying to control her image and never project herself as weak. She has to command strength at work. That means no one can know she is the one receiving treatment for her failing organ. Meanwhile, Eli's glory days are possibly behind him. He won in the Super Bowl. That's an accomplishment that really doesn't impress Drew or Gideon. However, these relationships are now important because they immediately provide Drew with people to interact with. His world can't be consumed by worrying about Gina or caring for his daughter, Maddie. Sure, that seems likely to comprise most of his stories. However, the expansion of his world is also necessary. It's important for him to expand his horizons. He wants to just stay in and read a book. That brings him pleasure and joy. Facing death may force him out of his comfort zone. He may try things he never would have been willing to do previously. Of course, he is still awkward whenever someone tries to force him to do something different. He is perfectly fine with how he lives in this world. He doesn't need to know his neighbors. Meanwhile, Gina is much more open and loving. She gives so much to the people she cares about. She is willing to explore and see all the potential any environment may have for her. That may not make her the most dependable person. Drew needs her to stay sober for a couple months. He needs this transplant to work for him. He believes the only way he can secure Gina's health is for her to move in with him. Now, that too presents as the show still figuring out its central premise. It's one thing for this friendship to primarily be about the kidney transplant. Drew may always worry about Gina. However, she isn't a daily part of his life. Now, that completely changes. She becomes a part of his home because dangerous people are after her. Again, that broadly highlights how she has made some unsavory choices in her life. She is still fundamentally a nice and genuine person. She doesn't want to accept the kindness of strangers. It's still the best decision for her to make though. She is nudged in that direction by Norma, who also helps ground Gina in this world while offering a frank opinion on just about everything in her life. This is all necessary development in order for this world to fill lived in. That allows the audience to buy into the concerns of these characters. We need to go along this journey with them. The setup is still fundamentally happening. The show still has virtually no clue what to do with Kether Donohue and Sara Rue. That remains disappointing. Moreover, the need for Drew and Gina to suddenly live together is seemingly more necessary than Drew having a conversation with Julia about bringing a new woman into their daughter's life. That is a serious conversation. One that needs to happen but one that is also built around the secret with his health that he is withholding from Julia and Maddie. It's all a little too needlessly complicated. But again, the show is moving in a positive direction by giving more reasons to invest in this overall world. That's a key and welcome development.
Serious effort is made here to expand this world of characters. It provides more areas for this story to occupy and explore. Drew didn't believe he was going to need dialysis because he had lined up a kidney donor right away. And now, he has to have several sessions a week. That gives him a support group of sorts with people who are going through the exact same process. As such, they can navigate him through the ups and downs of this entire situation. It's important for him to show up on time for his treatment and for him to respect the nurse caring for him. He may ultimately have it lucky because Gina is willing to donate her organ. The other people in the room aren't so lucky. The friends and family in their lives are too selfish or unmotivated to make this sacrifice for them. That's unfortunate. It means they live in ambiguity waiting for some stranger to die just so they can get their organ. It's grim and gruesome. It's their reality though. Of course, Samantha presents as someone trying to control her image and never project herself as weak. She has to command strength at work. That means no one can know she is the one receiving treatment for her failing organ. Meanwhile, Eli's glory days are possibly behind him. He won in the Super Bowl. That's an accomplishment that really doesn't impress Drew or Gideon. However, these relationships are now important because they immediately provide Drew with people to interact with. His world can't be consumed by worrying about Gina or caring for his daughter, Maddie. Sure, that seems likely to comprise most of his stories. However, the expansion of his world is also necessary. It's important for him to expand his horizons. He wants to just stay in and read a book. That brings him pleasure and joy. Facing death may force him out of his comfort zone. He may try things he never would have been willing to do previously. Of course, he is still awkward whenever someone tries to force him to do something different. He is perfectly fine with how he lives in this world. He doesn't need to know his neighbors. Meanwhile, Gina is much more open and loving. She gives so much to the people she cares about. She is willing to explore and see all the potential any environment may have for her. That may not make her the most dependable person. Drew needs her to stay sober for a couple months. He needs this transplant to work for him. He believes the only way he can secure Gina's health is for her to move in with him. Now, that too presents as the show still figuring out its central premise. It's one thing for this friendship to primarily be about the kidney transplant. Drew may always worry about Gina. However, she isn't a daily part of his life. Now, that completely changes. She becomes a part of his home because dangerous people are after her. Again, that broadly highlights how she has made some unsavory choices in her life. She is still fundamentally a nice and genuine person. She doesn't want to accept the kindness of strangers. It's still the best decision for her to make though. She is nudged in that direction by Norma, who also helps ground Gina in this world while offering a frank opinion on just about everything in her life. This is all necessary development in order for this world to fill lived in. That allows the audience to buy into the concerns of these characters. We need to go along this journey with them. The setup is still fundamentally happening. The show still has virtually no clue what to do with Kether Donohue and Sara Rue. That remains disappointing. Moreover, the need for Drew and Gina to suddenly live together is seemingly more necessary than Drew having a conversation with Julia about bringing a new woman into their daughter's life. That is a serious conversation. One that needs to happen but one that is also built around the secret with his health that he is withholding from Julia and Maddie. It's all a little too needlessly complicated. But again, the show is moving in a positive direction by giving more reasons to invest in this overall world. That's a key and welcome development.
