Paul challenges Jimmy to show restraint with Sean. Derek introduces Gaby to a friend. Liz advises Brian about parenthood.
Jimmy refers Sean and Liz to Paul in order to work out their issues after Liz impulsively sold her half of the food truck business. Liz thought she was doing a noble thing by reuniting a family. She failed to talk about it with Sean first. And now, she regrets letting go of something she enjoyed. Meanwhile, Sean is sorry for how angry he got in response to the news. He saw Liz's good intentions. He simply still carries unprocessed trauma about his dad. Paul sees that clearly. That needs to be unpacked in their next sessions. Paul can't get Sean to open up. He wants Jimmy to stay out of the process. He doesn't believe Jimmy is capable of doing that. Jimmy showed maturity in allowing Paul to mend Sean and Liz's partnership. That friendship is back on solid footing quickly after their conflict. Jimmy could have tried to fix things himself. He knew it was better for Paul to offer that support even though he doesn't like Liz. That was true maturity from Jimmy. He doesn't often get the credit he deserves. He makes mistakes a lot of the time. He's willing to own up to the fact he got too attached to Sean. His therapy was jeopardized because of their relationship outside of the office. Paul asserts professional boundaries. He needs help too. Sean is in crisis right now. People have to be willing to set their egos aside in order to help him.
Sean bottles his animosity towards his father up while working alongside him. Their dream has been realized. They are running a food truck together. Everything is back to normal as Tim sees it. That's not even close to true for Sean though. It didn't take much prying from Jimmy to get the truth out. That isn't a bad thing either. Paul doesn't have to be hurt that Sean confided in Jimmy instead. Therapy should be a collaboration. Paul has to be willing to let go of some control especially given how his Parkinson's is changing how he takes notes. Sean was brave in reaching out for help. Tim refused to listen. It wasn't his problem. When that internal turmoil got worse, tough love was the only solution given. Sean had to take accountability for himself before he could be a part of this family once more. They weren't there to help him. Tim kicked him out. That was a devastating act of betrayal. That taints their relationship. It can't go unspoken. Tim wants to believe everything is good again. It isn't. Sean is still full of so much rage. Life didn't seem normal after he returned from military service. Jimmy and Paul have given him some tools to reintegrate into society and cope with its stresses. He remains in a dark place where he almost falls into a blind rage over a slight inconvenience.
Sean is surrounded by friends who are willing to push and encourage him. None of them are willing to give up on him. That wouldn't be productive. He requires more attention right now. He isn't the only one. Alice wants to act as if her hookup with Connor never happened. He can't keep a secret though. He believes he cheated on Summer. They act weird. No one digs any deeper to know why. Emotions are being bottled up though. No catharsis is easily accessible. Louis shows up trying to return Alice's wallet. Brian intercepts him before he rings the door bell. Brian offers reassurance that the family is doing better. They are still coping with Tia's loss though. He extends empathy to Louis as well. That's a shocking development. He spends the episode worrying about whether he would be a good father. That's a dream Charlie wants to achieve. Brian is awkward around dogs. He doesn't know how to care for anyone except himself. It requires an honest conversation with his husband about what steps they are willing to take. Jimmy and Liz know everything will be okay. They see the tremendous amount of empathy Brian has to give. They may not be understanding upon realizing he extends that to Louis. It's part of the complexity of this story though. Louis has reached out to Jimmy and Alice for something they aren't capable of giving him. Him confiding in Brian may be the only way to offer healing to all sides of this conflict. It just may not be seen that way if anyone gets the slightest hint of deceit.
These friends just truly want the best for each other. Their relationships are constantly in flux though. No conflict truly lasts over an episode between them. However, new problems quickly arise. Everyone fundamentally responds the same as they always have. They are growing as well. That's the purpose of therapy. The people on the other side of the couch don't always have the answers. They don't always apply them to their own lives. Sometimes the smartest and most compassionate person is the one without a psych degree. Derek wants Gaby to be happy. She's still mourning the end of her relationship with Jimmy. It was the right decision. She ended things. It still took a lot of emotional maturity to understand this wasn't what she wanted. She developed feelings that he couldn't reciprocate. Things are still weird in their dynamic. Moving on may require Gaby to pursue a relationship with someone new. Derek's best friend from his old job also has the same name. Derrick is a great guy. He and Gaby have easy and relaxed conversations. She trusts him in her house almost immediately. And yet, she too is avoiding unresolved issues. She doesn't want to deal with her sister and mother. She has to because her mother has been in an accident. Her refusing to answer her phone is weaponized against her by Courtney when delivering the news. That isn't healthy. Gaby obviously reacts with concern. She drops everything to respond. And yet, the trouble within this family was present long before this latest issue occurred.
