Paul encourages Jimmy to seek help. Brian and Derek take Sean to look for a new place. Gaby struggles with her guest list for Thanksgiving. Jimmy takes Paul's advice about Alice. Liz finally finds her purpose. Gaby hosts Thanksgiving dinner.
"The Drugs Don't Work" was written by Neil Goldman and directed by Randall Keenan Winston
Jimmy is the character who would benefit the most from therapy. Others have acknowledged him as being good in his profession. However, his insistence on helping his patients outside of the office has always been driven by his ego. It helps him feel good. Yes, his patients benefit from his actions. That allows him to operate with a sense of legitimacy. He was even able to cite sources for the ethical benefits of this method. It was more important that his tactics took on a name of their own. He isn't the only therapist with a big ego. Paul has one as well. He remains grounded in the work. He creates firm boundaries. He's present for the people he cares about even though he is struggling too. The medication to treat his Parkinson's is becoming less effective. He fears he is running out of time. He absolutely projects that onto Jimmy. He's also telling his friend what he desperately needs to hear. Jimmy is inching closer to a breakdown. He doesn't need to invite Louis into his life. That's not the source of his pain. It's all wrapped up in his inability to forgive himself for letting down Alice. She has shown emotional maturity this season. She has made mistakes too. She recognizes that she is steady enough to no longer require therapy. She reaches out to others when she needs support. She's no longer afraid to ask for that help. Meanwhile, Jimmy proudly boasts that he won't call Paul if things get bad. He wants to prove his mentor wrong. He doesn't want to believe it. He is in total denial. The world hasn't stopped either. Many people are moving on with their lives. Jimmy remains stuck. He repeats patterns knowing how destructive they can be. That's the only way for him to either numb his feelings or receive catharsis that he is actually doing something well.
Jimmy is the character who would benefit the most from therapy. Others have acknowledged him as being good in his profession. However, his insistence on helping his patients outside of the office has always been driven by his ego. It helps him feel good. Yes, his patients benefit from his actions. That allows him to operate with a sense of legitimacy. He was even able to cite sources for the ethical benefits of this method. It was more important that his tactics took on a name of their own. He isn't the only therapist with a big ego. Paul has one as well. He remains grounded in the work. He creates firm boundaries. He's present for the people he cares about even though he is struggling too. The medication to treat his Parkinson's is becoming less effective. He fears he is running out of time. He absolutely projects that onto Jimmy. He's also telling his friend what he desperately needs to hear. Jimmy is inching closer to a breakdown. He doesn't need to invite Louis into his life. That's not the source of his pain. It's all wrapped up in his inability to forgive himself for letting down Alice. She has shown emotional maturity this season. She has made mistakes too. She recognizes that she is steady enough to no longer require therapy. She reaches out to others when she needs support. She's no longer afraid to ask for that help. Meanwhile, Jimmy proudly boasts that he won't call Paul if things get bad. He wants to prove his mentor wrong. He doesn't want to believe it. He is in total denial. The world hasn't stopped either. Many people are moving on with their lives. Jimmy remains stuck. He repeats patterns knowing how destructive they can be. That's the only way for him to either numb his feelings or receive catharsis that he is actually doing something well.
At times, the deteriorating state of Jimmy's life threatens to derail the entire episode. His arc follows such a swift downward trajectory. He has to fall now in order to find some resolution in the finale. Several of the character arcs reach those pivotal moments. Gaby is forced to choose if she wants to invite Derrick deeper into her life. She's physically incapable of doing so. That means she too repeats patterns. She pushes him away until he becomes aware that things should end. She didn't realize she was doing that. She doesn't know why she behaves this way. It results in a breakup. Elsewhere, Brian and Charlie are notified that Ava has changed her mind. She has decided to pick them as the parents for her unborn baby. Everyone is happy for them. They celebrate the good news. The couple is ready to take this next step. Meanwhile, Sean isn't ready to move out of Jimmy's pool house. It's not what he wants his life to be forever. He is given an incredible opportunity by Derek. He doesn't accept it. He can't explain why he feels this way given how strong his life is at the moment. He doesn't need an explanation. He will be ready eventually and more opportunities will arrive then. Everyone has the freedom to make the right choices for themselves in the moment. All of that delicate character work occurs. Everything still builds to Jimmy being completely detached from reality. He eventually makes that fateful call to Paul and breaks down. It's emotionally grueling. He can no longer rely on his coping mechanisms for support. He has to admit he needs help. That action is commendable. The hard work is just starting. He can no longer deflect from these feelings. He only causes more harm in doing so.
Grade: A
"The Last Thanksgiving" was written by Bill Lawrence, Neil Goldman & Brett Goldstein and directed by Bill Lawrence
Alice loved how her dad would always help others. When she asked him to help Louis, he refused. In that moment, she saw the imperfections within Jimmy. He fears he let her down following Tia's death. He blames himself for being a bad father. He can never forgive himself for his actions. He's too ashamed to be honest with her. And yet, Alice has plenty of good memories with her dad. Even during the darkest times, she knew he loved and cared for her. That was evident in his actions too. Moreover, it's healing for him to reach out to Louis. It's something he needs to do. That didn't necessarily have to be true. Jimmy didn't need to have a relationship with Louis. He couldn't place limitations on Alice either. She reached out to her father for help. The season closes with him finally listening. It comes in a desperate moment of need too. The family is surrounded by loved ones at Gaby's Thanksgiving dinner. Every single character is going through something. They each have big emotional moments in this finale. The momentum draws a parallel between that raucous environment and Louis' isolation. His one friend turns on him after learning he killed someone while drunk. No matter how much progress he has made everything will still change once that information is known. He can't escape it. He believes the only way to do so is through death. He has contemplated it before. He has leaned on Alice for support. His emotional well-being can't be dependent on an 18-year-old. She has a lot of maturity. This is simply too much to ask of her. Jimmy isn't exactly solid right now either. However, he has the tools to help. That's what is needed. It just requires reaching out for help. Louis did that even though it seemed impossible for Alice to respond. Her phone addiction was actually beneficial. Alice forgave Jimmy and Louis. Now, they both have to do so within themselves. That's the only way they survive.
Alice loved how her dad would always help others. When she asked him to help Louis, he refused. In that moment, she saw the imperfections within Jimmy. He fears he let her down following Tia's death. He blames himself for being a bad father. He can never forgive himself for his actions. He's too ashamed to be honest with her. And yet, Alice has plenty of good memories with her dad. Even during the darkest times, she knew he loved and cared for her. That was evident in his actions too. Moreover, it's healing for him to reach out to Louis. It's something he needs to do. That didn't necessarily have to be true. Jimmy didn't need to have a relationship with Louis. He couldn't place limitations on Alice either. She reached out to her father for help. The season closes with him finally listening. It comes in a desperate moment of need too. The family is surrounded by loved ones at Gaby's Thanksgiving dinner. Every single character is going through something. They each have big emotional moments in this finale. The momentum draws a parallel between that raucous environment and Louis' isolation. His one friend turns on him after learning he killed someone while drunk. No matter how much progress he has made everything will still change once that information is known. He can't escape it. He believes the only way to do so is through death. He has contemplated it before. He has leaned on Alice for support. His emotional well-being can't be dependent on an 18-year-old. She has a lot of maturity. This is simply too much to ask of her. Jimmy isn't exactly solid right now either. However, he has the tools to help. That's what is needed. It just requires reaching out for help. Louis did that even though it seemed impossible for Alice to respond. Her phone addiction was actually beneficial. Alice forgave Jimmy and Louis. Now, they both have to do so within themselves. That's the only way they survive.
Jimmy has so much support. Paul is an incredibly blunt about what his colleague must do. He fears he is running out of time. He's not as brave either. He's a coward who leans on his meds to prevent the world from seeing his declining death. He can't hide from it. He has to embrace the people who love him. The party is full of them despite him attending under duress. He is once again driven somewhere he doesn't want to go. He no longer has control. That requires a strong support system. He sees it plainly too. This dinner isn't about him. He wants to fade into the background and behave however he wants. Yet his declaration of gratitude is the most moving moment of the event. The future is uncertain for all of them. Some have found new purposes. Brian and Charlie are expectant parents. Liz has agreed to be their nanny part-time. She loves being a mom. She shouldn't feel any shame in that. The people who once made snarky comments have embraced her fully. She is willing to share rocks with each of them. That extends to Jimmy too. He may be frustrating. His heart is often in the right place. He steps up when it matters most. He helps others in need. That's easy to do in ongoing relationships that have lasted awhile. It's much harder with something new. Gaby has to reckon with the fear of not being the caretaker. Derrick doesn't need her to serve in that role. It's a completely new dynamic that she doesn't know how to handle. They each have a choice of whether to commit to it knowing growth must still occur. Derrick ultimately brings the family together. Gaby needs that support. She can't have tension with her mother. And yet, she disappointed her by refusing to let her move in. That was a major betrayal for Phyllis. She feels shunned and forgotten. She's still loved though. Gaby needs her. She requires her own space too. Everyone is learning as they go. Not everything is going to be perfect right away. It's a delicate process. One with many ups and downs. Yet these characters all have the maturity and good intentions to figure things out eventually. That's the hopeful message of the season despite the many turbulent moments along the way.
Grade: A
