Jimmy spends the day with a patient. Brian crashes Gaby's date. Liz heads down a dangerous path. Jimmy faces Alice's secret. Liz and Derek are at a crossroads. Paul worries about his health.
"Get in the Sea" was written by Kyra Brown & CJ Hoke and directed by Randall Keenan Winston
Liz was in trouble the moment she started hanging out again with Mac. It was completely innocent when she just ran into him. That allowed Derek's hatred to be highlighted for once. This was the sole person he doesn't like. That made it even more dangerous for Liz to keep seeing him. She made that choice. Now, she has to live with the consequences. It's exactly as Paul spells it out to her. She has an unexpected run-in with him too. She knows she's doing something wrong. She tries to cover it up. It doesn't work. He can predict everything that's going to happen. He isn't surprised. Liz was still incapable of stopping it. She doesn't get any credit for sharing the truth with Derek either. That allows him to explode. It doesn't matter how long the kiss was. He felt betrayed the moment she confessed. She has to face the repercussions. Derek has supported her through a lot. He has a fun, playful banter with the entire group of friends. They make jokes at his expense. However, he always remains supportive and encouraging. Now, he is given the time to take things personally. He expresses how their relationship has always been off balance. It's because of all the attention Liz needs. She demands it. And now, things are in turmoil because of it. Fortunately, they are surrounded by therapists who can potentially help. Even that isn't a guarantee of improvement. This happening at this point in the season though indicates the possibility for closure though.
Liz was in trouble the moment she started hanging out again with Mac. It was completely innocent when she just ran into him. That allowed Derek's hatred to be highlighted for once. This was the sole person he doesn't like. That made it even more dangerous for Liz to keep seeing him. She made that choice. Now, she has to live with the consequences. It's exactly as Paul spells it out to her. She has an unexpected run-in with him too. She knows she's doing something wrong. She tries to cover it up. It doesn't work. He can predict everything that's going to happen. He isn't surprised. Liz was still incapable of stopping it. She doesn't get any credit for sharing the truth with Derek either. That allows him to explode. It doesn't matter how long the kiss was. He felt betrayed the moment she confessed. She has to face the repercussions. Derek has supported her through a lot. He has a fun, playful banter with the entire group of friends. They make jokes at his expense. However, he always remains supportive and encouraging. Now, he is given the time to take things personally. He expresses how their relationship has always been off balance. It's because of all the attention Liz needs. She demands it. And now, things are in turmoil because of it. Fortunately, they are surrounded by therapists who can potentially help. Even that isn't a guarantee of improvement. This happening at this point in the season though indicates the possibility for closure though.
Unlike Derek, Jimmy doesn't get a moment to let out his rage over being betrayed. He sees Alice and Brian with Louis. They are meeting behind his back. It doesn't matter that they just agreed to tell him the truth. Jimmy is just as devastated. He clings to a hot streak. He needs to believe he is helping everyone he meets. He pumps himself up. He needs the validation of others. He has to know he ranks highly on the list of Gaby's hottest sexual partners. He coerces his friends into agreeing. He runs with that mentality. He helps others. He forces them to be brave. He also helps mend Alice's friendship with Summer. That's crucial as well. He isn't entirely oblivious. He is knowledgable in his profession. He is still going through a lot. He's not unique in that regard. He can't recognize it in the final moment. Right there, his pain has to be prioritized. That's insightful storytelling as well. None of this is presented with easy solutions that can be wrapped up in the span of an episode. Honest communication can happen. That's what Brian and Charlie need as they reckon with receiving a baby in a day. They aren't ready for that commitment. They need to process things together. Brian can't go off and lean on his friends for their advice. He has to talk things out with his partner. That's the mature thing to do. These characters thrive on communication. They have fun. But they can't hide from their pain either. They make mistakes. They have busy lives. That disrupts many of their plans. They remain on solid ground despite the peril that awaits them. They recognize it while still living in a comfortable sense of the world.
Grade: A-
"Last Drink" was written by Sasha Garron and directed by James Ponsoldt
For the first twelve minutes, it appears as if the episode will detail the time leading up to Tia's death for all the characters involved. It presents many of the characters with details that inform their lives both then and in the present. Much of this story is already known. However, the evolution is apparent too. It's more than just highlighting the parallels between Jimmy and Louis. They are happy in their lives. They both self-destruct after the accident. Louis pushes his fiancé away. Jimmy fails to be there for Alice. Unfortunately, the show doesn't stay intensely focused on this dynamic throughout the episode. The fallout of everything between Liz and Derek is important too. It also creates an overwhelming sensation over the course of the episode. That's in addition to Paul's latest health setback. Everything is tied together. These characters have ongoing lives. Everything doesn't stop because Jimmy has to confront Louis. Alice believes it will be cathartic for her father to forgive him. That's actually easy. Of course, it's conditional as well. He only forgives Louis with the promise he'll never have to see him again. He doesn't want his daughter or friends hanging out with him either. He essentially gives Louis permission to be free once more. He doesn't have to linger over this one moment any longer. The story still requires the characters to forgive themselves. That's much harder. They made mistakes. They don't believe they are capable of moving past them. They are unforgivable. Everyone is dealing with drama and turmoil too. That can't explain away their actions. Paul offers hope. He chooses to keep Jimmy in his life. He matters to him. He's scared of what the future holds. He wants to be there for the people he cares about for as long as he can. It's meaningful. But again, it's a lot to delve into in one episode.
For the first twelve minutes, it appears as if the episode will detail the time leading up to Tia's death for all the characters involved. It presents many of the characters with details that inform their lives both then and in the present. Much of this story is already known. However, the evolution is apparent too. It's more than just highlighting the parallels between Jimmy and Louis. They are happy in their lives. They both self-destruct after the accident. Louis pushes his fiancé away. Jimmy fails to be there for Alice. Unfortunately, the show doesn't stay intensely focused on this dynamic throughout the episode. The fallout of everything between Liz and Derek is important too. It also creates an overwhelming sensation over the course of the episode. That's in addition to Paul's latest health setback. Everything is tied together. These characters have ongoing lives. Everything doesn't stop because Jimmy has to confront Louis. Alice believes it will be cathartic for her father to forgive him. That's actually easy. Of course, it's conditional as well. He only forgives Louis with the promise he'll never have to see him again. He doesn't want his daughter or friends hanging out with him either. He essentially gives Louis permission to be free once more. He doesn't have to linger over this one moment any longer. The story still requires the characters to forgive themselves. That's much harder. They made mistakes. They don't believe they are capable of moving past them. They are unforgivable. Everyone is dealing with drama and turmoil too. That can't explain away their actions. Paul offers hope. He chooses to keep Jimmy in his life. He matters to him. He's scared of what the future holds. He wants to be there for the people he cares about for as long as he can. It's meaningful. But again, it's a lot to delve into in one episode.
Moreover, it's difficult to believe that bringing all of the children home to surprise Liz will address the underlining issues. Everyone is aware of the mistake she made. Gaby comforts Derek. She provides therapy too. He realizes he messed up by not listening to his wife. She was drowning. He thought she would pull herself out of it like she always has. And yet, she continues struggling with her identity. In the past, Brian dismissed her as a mom. That label applied to Tia as well. They were capable of being strong friends. It took awhile for Liz to become a part of the friend group. She belongs with them. She has always been willing to step up and care for others in their times of need. She makes her opinions known. She judges others. Yet people love her. She's a complex individual who knows what she wants. And now, she's faced with the unknown. She can't explain her own behavior. Derek doesn't know how to respond either. He sees the efforts Mac put in to notice her. Derek acknowledges his failures. This family has the potential of coming together and remaining strong. It can't just be fixed through one action though. It requires ongoing thought. Hopefully, that's the direction the story pursues. It's an uplifting note. One that highlights the strength of these characters. Liz may not like everyone knowing her secret. It allows them to be there to support her for once. She needs to be cared for sometimes as well. They can't dismiss her actions. They can try to understand and cope. That requires maturity and self-reflection.
Grade: A-
