Younger Review: Post Truth (Season 4 Episode 1)

Kelsey finally knows the truth about Liza, and she’s not going to get over it any time soon.

What’s so interesting about Younger is that the premise is one I never expected to be able to last very long. At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a story that can go beyond one or two seasons.

But as we see on Younger Season 4 Episode 1, “Post Truth,” the story has become so complex, and Liza’s lies have gone so deep, that it feels like we haven’t even scratched the surface yet. Everything just gets more and more complicated.

Maybe part of that is because Kelsey has only just now learned the truth. While the love triangle we can’t help but get caught up in is important to the story, what’s more important is Liza’s friendship Kelsey, so her finding out the truth is pivotal. The rift between the two of them feels more significant than any conflict Liza and Josh could have.

It’s also pretty uncomfortable to watch.

Kelsey stops Liza from telling everyone the truth at work, but not because she’s trying to be helpful. It’s because she knows that at this point, the truth getting out about Liza’s real age could only hurt Millennial.

Instead, she thinks they need to “create some alternative facts” — a pretty pointed reference that fits well with the episode. I’ll get to that in a second.

Even though it’s coming from a place of self-preservation (“business” as Kelsey later points out) it’s so satisfying to see the way Kelsey deals with Emily and turns the blackmail into a way to further Liza’s lie. There’s a reason Kelsey is so successful — she’s freaking brilliant, and she’s fearless.

She’s also incredibly loyal, which is what makes this betrayal hurt that much worse.

Kelsey: That in there was business. I don’t think that I can ever forgive you. You broke my heart.

She also has a reason now to bond with Josh. She doesn’t know about what happened Charles — Josh says never to ask about that night again — but the two of them bond over being hurt by Liza.

I don’t know if we can expect anything romantic between them. On some level, that could be an interesting turn, but I hope they’re just going to lean on each other as friends.

And, from the shocker at the end of this episode, as roommates. That moment is a jaw-dropper, you guys. But quite frankly, it makes sense, and I’d certainly rather see Kelsey living with Josh than with a stranger in a one-bedroom apartment.

It’s going to make things complicated, either way.

Charles is still oblivious, which seems to be a bit of a relief for Liza. They can talk about books and Hemingway, and even though she can’t fully be herself, he’s almost an escape for her at this point. If only he knew how much the two of them *actually* had in common. They are “victims of unsynchronized passion.”

Meanwhile, Imperial has a new potential client, and she looks awfully familiar…

Played by Kristen Chenoweth, the Washington “spin doctor” has a plan for a book that ultimately turns the definition of truth on its head. In her mind, truth is what you make it. You just have to say something loud enough and often enough that people will believe it’s true.

Not only is her timing significant in terms of what Liza is dealing with — so much so that she nearly announces the truth of her age in the conference room after listening to this woman talk — but it’s also decidedly drawing a parallel to our current political climate.

It’s not necessarily subtle, and it doesn’t need to be, but it works so well. (Something Peter Hermann discussed in our recent interview.)

Charles turns the book down, despite how much it might actually help the company.

Charles: I don’t want to contribute to the idea that truth is whatever you’re comfortable with. Even if it means taking a hit to the bottom line. I guess I’m just old fashioned that way.

It really makes you wonder how he’s going to respond if he ever learns the truth about Liza, doesn’t it?

What did you think of this episode of Younger? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Younger airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on TV Land.

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