Genevieve decides to put herself out there and gets an unexpected result. Drea and Matilda reunite. Nicholas discovers the meaning of unconditional love.
In 2020, the television industry aired 493 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 Freeform's Everything's Gonna Be Okay.
"Cave Cockroaches" was written by Thomas Ward and directed by Josh Thomas
Genevieve is a phenomenal storyteller. She captivated an audience at a New York City club last season. That was impressive. This is a skillset that must be nurtured and appreciated. As such, it's easy to understand the rapturous response she gets from the family after they watch her first YouTube video about Joan of Arc. Of course, the audience only sees the ending where she talks about the sponsorship she has. That doesn't fundamentally explain the central thesis of the video. It's still entertaining because Genevieve is the star. She makes this product placement just as natural and charming as everything else she details in this story. However, she doesn't trust the reaction from the family. She doesn't accept their approval because she is fundamentally aware of the baggage they bring to their various relationships. She has opinions about the honesty and trust within the dynamics that are most important to them. She loves Matilda and Nicholas. That is never in question. But she also believes that love must have conditions. Nicholas shouldn't have to settle for something that annoys him in many little ways. That's where the focus is on their side of the conversation. From Alex's perspective though, he is at a complete loss following the news of his parents' divorce. He is trying to cope and needs support from the family around him. They are each too caught up in their own worlds to offer him that connection so he can express himself however he wants. He needs that. Right now, he is putting all of that energy into exercising and swimming. That behavior underlines something more going on in his mind. The family doesn't want to address that unless they absolutely have to. Nicholas literally has to be rejected by both Matilda and Genevieve in order to ask Alex how he feels about this specific issue. It's been weeks since the news came as well. Alex has needed support from his boyfriend. He wants to feel like a priority. This never comes across as a fight that will potentially doom them as a couple. It's still an important and necessary conversation to have. Nicholas is very selfish and doesn't want to dig too deep into the responsibilities he has to the people around him. He cares about Matilda, Genevieve and Alex. He wants things to be easy. That's not how life typically works though. He thinks he should be worried about Matilda and Drea spending too much time together again. The audience has the clarity of what that intimacy means for them. They are capable of having a greater conversation about their sexual identities. But the lines between romance and friendship are still incredibly blurred. They are given the freedom to make these mistakes. It happens within the comfort of this home. Meanwhile, Genevieve wants to occupy space beyond this place. Of course, that's a terrifying venture as well. She doesn't know how people will respond. She fears failure. That is inevitable though. That's a part of life. She doesn't have to cope with that though. Instead, her videos on YouTube are a success. It stems from just how captivating she is having a conversation with herself and dissecting the many conflicting emotions she feels about herself and her family. The criticism she offers doesn't immediately change things either. Everyone remains supportive of Genevieve. This video provides a greater glimpse at how she sees the world. Of course, they don't really take it to heart either. This is a huge expression on her part. And yet, people are still trying to tell her how to be. They think they know how she should fill space. That means people are going to have reactions to this content that she cannot control. She is flattered by the attention she gets from her peers and classmates. It can be overwhelming as well. She is uncomfortable when Barb and Nicholas' mother call. Those conversations still occur. She doesn't engage all that much. Those are simply bonds that she has accepted as part of her life. That acceptance doesn't have to be normal for her. But again, life is one of exploration. This feels like a way for her to continue that journey even though she is confined at home. She fills space. She is worthy of it. She is entitled to do with it whatever she wants. She welcomes Nicholas in when he needs it. She is also just as worthy when pushing him out because she needs time by herself too. She has some clarity in some regards. She is also a teenager learning what life potentially has in store. That can be nerve-wrecking but exciting at the same time.
Genevieve is a phenomenal storyteller. She captivated an audience at a New York City club last season. That was impressive. This is a skillset that must be nurtured and appreciated. As such, it's easy to understand the rapturous response she gets from the family after they watch her first YouTube video about Joan of Arc. Of course, the audience only sees the ending where she talks about the sponsorship she has. That doesn't fundamentally explain the central thesis of the video. It's still entertaining because Genevieve is the star. She makes this product placement just as natural and charming as everything else she details in this story. However, she doesn't trust the reaction from the family. She doesn't accept their approval because she is fundamentally aware of the baggage they bring to their various relationships. She has opinions about the honesty and trust within the dynamics that are most important to them. She loves Matilda and Nicholas. That is never in question. But she also believes that love must have conditions. Nicholas shouldn't have to settle for something that annoys him in many little ways. That's where the focus is on their side of the conversation. From Alex's perspective though, he is at a complete loss following the news of his parents' divorce. He is trying to cope and needs support from the family around him. They are each too caught up in their own worlds to offer him that connection so he can express himself however he wants. He needs that. Right now, he is putting all of that energy into exercising and swimming. That behavior underlines something more going on in his mind. The family doesn't want to address that unless they absolutely have to. Nicholas literally has to be rejected by both Matilda and Genevieve in order to ask Alex how he feels about this specific issue. It's been weeks since the news came as well. Alex has needed support from his boyfriend. He wants to feel like a priority. This never comes across as a fight that will potentially doom them as a couple. It's still an important and necessary conversation to have. Nicholas is very selfish and doesn't want to dig too deep into the responsibilities he has to the people around him. He cares about Matilda, Genevieve and Alex. He wants things to be easy. That's not how life typically works though. He thinks he should be worried about Matilda and Drea spending too much time together again. The audience has the clarity of what that intimacy means for them. They are capable of having a greater conversation about their sexual identities. But the lines between romance and friendship are still incredibly blurred. They are given the freedom to make these mistakes. It happens within the comfort of this home. Meanwhile, Genevieve wants to occupy space beyond this place. Of course, that's a terrifying venture as well. She doesn't know how people will respond. She fears failure. That is inevitable though. That's a part of life. She doesn't have to cope with that though. Instead, her videos on YouTube are a success. It stems from just how captivating she is having a conversation with herself and dissecting the many conflicting emotions she feels about herself and her family. The criticism she offers doesn't immediately change things either. Everyone remains supportive of Genevieve. This video provides a greater glimpse at how she sees the world. Of course, they don't really take it to heart either. This is a huge expression on her part. And yet, people are still trying to tell her how to be. They think they know how she should fill space. That means people are going to have reactions to this content that she cannot control. She is flattered by the attention she gets from her peers and classmates. It can be overwhelming as well. She is uncomfortable when Barb and Nicholas' mother call. Those conversations still occur. She doesn't engage all that much. Those are simply bonds that she has accepted as part of her life. That acceptance doesn't have to be normal for her. But again, life is one of exploration. This feels like a way for her to continue that journey even though she is confined at home. She fills space. She is worthy of it. She is entitled to do with it whatever she wants. She welcomes Nicholas in when he needs it. She is also just as worthy when pushing him out because she needs time by herself too. She has some clarity in some regards. She is also a teenager learning what life potentially has in store. That can be nerve-wrecking but exciting at the same time.
