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In last week’s episode, we are able to see Caitlin (Jordan Kristine Seamón)’s side of the story. In this week’s episode, the perspectives of most of the characters blend together to paint a more comprehensive picture. One thing’s for sure—everyone in this show is mega complicated.
This review has some spoilers, so be sure to watch the episode beforehand!
It was inevitable that Caitlin and Fraser (Jack Dylan Grazer) were meant to be friends from the start, even if there were a few bumps along the way. Now, they’re inseparable. While they initially bonded over the fact that they’re different and nobody else could probably come close to understanding either one of them, we see just how different they are even from one another. Fraser’s lifestyle reflects the views that characterize Generation Z. Fast fashion is deplorable, gender is a spectrum, Ocean Vuong is amazing, and poetry is valuable because he only looks for “stuff that means something.” While Fraser looks to the abstract to cling onto anything meaningful, it’s not necessarily Caitlin’s vibe at the moment. Unfazed by Fraser’s loaded language, Caitlin responds with “Are my boobs getting bigger?” She hones in on the corporeal, only worrying about what she can touch and what’s right in front of her. And she isn’t wrong to do that. They’re two different people with their own big issues, but that doesn’t mean they can’t hang out in the meantime. They’re teenagers, after all.
Fast forward to later in the evening, Caitlin stays over at Fraser’s house for dinner and witnesses the tumultuous relationship between him and Sarah (Chloë Sevigny). Fraser becomes incredibly agitated over his failed meal that he meticulously cooked himself and takes it out on the entire household. After Caitlin leaves, Fraser grabs Sarah by the hair and pulls her head back, repeatedly telling her he hates her. It’s the same scene we saw in the first episode, Sarah takes Fraser’s physical assault and never raises a hand nor her voice at him. She even affectionately calls after him as he walks away, referring to him as “sweetheart.” Maggie (Alice Braga) also excuses his behavior by saying that he’s just a complicated person, but we see Sarah almost close to her breaking point when she tells Maggie, “It’s exhausting trying to be his mother and father all at the same time, all the time.” However, we all know that things won’t be any different anytime soon. In the early morning, Fraser barges into Sarah and Maggie’s bedroom while he’s hyperventilating due to a bad dream, knowing that Sarah will comfort him despite his previous hostile behavior. He calls her “Mommy” several times and dons a childlike demeanor. Sarah welcomes him to the bed with open arms and cradles him, all while forgetting Maggie is literally in the same bed. Each member of the family knows there’s a problem, but none of them seem ready to change nor truly about the issue at hand. Fraser continues to feel entitled enough to have his tantrums and abuse Sarah without expecting any punishment, while Sarah and Maggie take it with gritted teeth. They all tuck it away in the back of their minds, leaving it to a new day to sweep everything under the rug. It’s a constant emotional tug o’ war in the Wilson household, and Fraser seems to be on the winning team. But if they’re all obviously unhappy, then is anyone really “winning?”
Wilson drama aside, Caitlin’s also got her issues. Sam (Ben Taylor) breaks up with her, but she doesn’t have much to say about the matter, taking everything with stride. Britney (Francesca Scorsese) pulls some shady stuff by latching onto Sam immediately after he breaks up with Caitlin. Much like Caitlin during their breakup, Sam doesn’t have much to say to her at the Chioggia parade. Danny (Spence Moore II) also gets on her case and accuses her of always being the center of attention. He gets physical with both her and Fraser and has to be dragged away by Craig (Corey Knight). Meanwhile, Britney tries to keep the group together but ultimately ditches Caitlin for “being a bitch” because she chooses to spend most of her time with Fraser these days.
These characters are all quick to make Caitlin out to be the enemy but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Each character in this ragtag group of friends is as complicated as the next. Is Caitlin really the bad guy here, or does everyone choose to project their own issues onto her? Caitlin obviously served as the glue of her friend group, even if not everyone wants to accept it. In that case, blaming her would be their first solution. Either way, it’s hard not to root for Caitlin and Fraser’s friendship even more at this point.
This episode was a whole drama sandwich and then some, but Fraser and Caitlin’s friendship is the light at the end of the tunnel. We’re still early into the series, so viewers can expect things to get much, much more complicated. Who knows? You’ll have to watch for yourself every Monday night at 10 on HBO.
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