Lessons in Chemistry
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Calvin Evans is dead.
But, sadly, there is a way.
Shall we talk about the dog narration?
In the novel, letting Six Thirty narrate in different chapters works really well.
Its a seamless change in point of view.
Six Thirty gets real character development.
His voice is funny, its poignant, and it never feels awkward.
Perhaps its meant to soften the blow?
It feels a little ridiculous at the start.
However, the dog admittedly won me over in the end.
Am I a sucker?
But thats my problem, okay?
The smartest choiceLessons in Chemistrymakes, aside from getting B.J.
Novak to admirably perform Six Thirtys narration, is to not make the dog narration cutesy.
Six Thirtys story is a serious one with some complex emotions.
Guys, this dog is so sad!
Look at his sad face!
Look at how he wont eat because he blames himself for Calvins death!
Look at him missing his running buddy!!
If you have a dog, did you hug it after you watched this episode?
I dont recommend that second thing, but I do understand the urge.
He was trained to protect, but instead of being brave, he was constantly paralyzed with fear.
I was a coward and I hated myself for it, Six Thirty tells us.
No, seriously, have you hugged a dog today?
We relive the highlights of their story through Six Thirtys eyes.
He believes he found a purpose through them.
He promises to protect them.
He fails at that, too.
Someone get this dog into therapy, kindly, I am begging.
Hes there as she goes to Calvins funeral and sits alone in the front row.
Six Thirty cant protect her from that.
Six Thirty saying that he couldnt smell any of Calvins smells in that lab gutted me.
Am I having a mental breakdown over this dog?
She smashes things, she cooks, she ergs, repeat.
He cant fire her.
But Elizabeth knows thats not even remotely true.
Donatti knows it too.
If you think thats the worst thing Donatti could do to Elizabeth at the moment, buckle up.
Guess what else hes up to?
Its so devious and slimy and awful; Donatti is just an outright villain at this point.
But the fallout of Calvins death and Elizabeths pregnancy isnt all bad.
The biggest silver lining is that she begins to form a friendship with Harriet.
A friendship is born!
Harriet isnt the only person from Calvins life who offers some support.
So, he writes her a prescription to come join him down at the boathouse in one year.
So, Elizabeth Zott has lost a lot, but shes gained some things too.
She finds an engagement ring in his lab coat.
Its crushing (for both Elizabeth and me, to be honest).
Six Thirty has one idea: He gets Elizabeth to take him outside.
And then sure enough, youll be home.
Six Thirty and Elizabeth put one foot in front of the other and they begin to run.
Calvins heart was even bigger than his intellect, she tells him.
He was the warmest person I knew, she says.
But its too late, and Ralph did use actual quotes from colleagues.
Controversy is good for selling papers, he tells her.
We find her alone in the lobby, almost doubled over in sobs over the loss of her friend.
Aja Naomi King is so, so good here.
Lets not totally write off Fran Frask just yet.
Did you see her taking in everything Elizabeth was saying during her infuriating meeting with Donatti?
Maybe well make a feminist out of Fran after all.
