Somebody Somewhere
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My anxiety level is only now coming back down to normal.
The thing is, the date goes so well!
Or, it does until Sam gives up on herself partway through.
Hollands Opusing just thinking about it.
The structure of this episode written and directed by Lennon Parham is a wonder.
The episode is bookended with conversations between the two friends.
The reveal that the person Joel hit was the tiniest, oldest woman and his what have I done?
reaction is top tier.
She keeps changing shirts, keeps messing with her hair, and finally she breaks down into tears.
We see exactly how nervous and scared she is but more important, we see her resilience.
Friends, she is still going on this date.
But Icelands nervous, too and he definitely combed his hair for this.
He is so into her.
Their little walkabout date is so awkward and wonderful.
I had to process.
What a thing to say!
Its great … until its not.
She starts crying and backs away.
Iceland is worried he upset her, but it wasnt anything he did.
Sam utters one devastating sentence as an explanation: Maybe I dont have the emotional infrastructure for this.
Ive never been more thankful that Sam and Joel have already planned to do in-person tuck-ins that night.
The evening starts by addressing Joels current mental state, which is, uh, not great.
Whats wrong with wanting a little bit more?
When Sam brings up religion, he really starts crying.
She thinks he should go see Pastor Deb, even if he feels like hes burned that bridge.
Why doesnt he just try and see what happens?
Whats the harm in trying?
But soon Joel turns the heart-to-heart to Sam.
He wants to know about her life.
And she finally opens up to him about Iceland and the date and the kiss.
I just keep thinking about what if he got to know me … how could he want that?
The speed with which Joel responds, How could he not?
Full disclosure: I am tearing up right now just writing about it.
Everybody needs a friend like Joel.
This is not news, but it deserves to be repeated.
Joel turns Sams advice around on her: Why dont you just try and see what happens?
Thats the good stuff.
Sometimes I just wanna be a bad, bad boy!
Fred tells Joel and Sam when hes caught picking up a cheeseburger and fries at the Chef.
Fred Rococo forever!!
Why am I so proud of Tricia for being so good at her job?
When she practices her cancer-research fundraising-event presentation for Mitch with Sam, I just wanted to hug her.
Its that mama bird energy this show brings out, Im telling you.
While I cant hug a fictional character (yet), Ill settle for Sam and Tricias manifest chant/gigglefest.
Well, if you dont like Clair de lune, youre an asshole, right?
