
Rise Review: Totally Hosed (Season 1 Episode 9)
Theater has always been about finding your own strength of character. For Rise Season 1 Episode 9, “Totally Hosed,” that rings especially true. We see it mostly in the female characters, with the exception of one out of the blue contender.
I must say that I found most of this episode to be boring exposition leading us into next week’s finale and opening night. However, there are moments that really strike me, and I am sure it’s the same for audiences everywhere.
The most emotional part of this episode is definitely the closer look into Robbie’s life with his mom. This whole season we have only ever seen her in her long-term care bed. There has been no explanation about what is going on with her.

Until now.
This is the perfect moment to add this information into the story. It works best for Robbie, as well as for us.
It’s easy to see that Robbie is going to be deeply affected by this development going into his opening night. For the last few weeks, he has struggled to hone in on the raw emotion of Melchior finding out his girlfriend and best friend are dead.
His mom going into palliative care due to her battle with ALS is certainly going to be that trigger he needs. While it may seem exploitative to make such a move, it’s actually genius.

For Robbie to truly stand up and be the best performer, he needs to experience tremendous loss. Watching his mom deteriorate, despite her immeasurable strength and will, is that exact moment he needs. He can take that pain and transfer it into Melchior.
We haven’t really seen much of Robbie’s mom all season, but even in the background, she is a standout. “Totally Hosed” really showcases just how much strength she possesses. Here is a woman suffering from an excruciatingly painful disease, and yet she still manages to smile and enjoy being with her son.
Even in death, she is full of life.
Another death is mentioned on this episode. It’s the demise not of a person, but of an idea. A bond.

I’m talking about the Mazzuchelli family and their foster son, Maashous. It’s been a tough road for all of them, but last week saw the return of Maashous’ mom. This puts Gail in a tough spot.
Even though she was resistant to Maashous’ presence in her home at first, she has come full circle. She doesn’t want to lose him.
Though she may not say it out loud, you can clearly see it in her eyes. It’s where her character really lies — in her love for a child that isn’t hers, to begin with.

It’s my hope that her daughter’s silent push for adopting Maashous will steer her in the direction she truly desires. Becoming part of the Mazzuchelli family is the best move for Maashous too. It’s a move that will benefit him both socially and mentally.
We can’t talk about Maashous without also speaking of Rise‘s other lost soul, Lilette.
Lilette’s strength of character and self is what has moved this sometimes lackluster storyline along. It’s clear that she is not a person bound to the mistakes of her mother or willing to let those mistakes define her.

It’s really hard to break the cycle, but Lilette doesn’t just break it. She decimates it. When Robbie steps in to offer his help, she vehemently turns him down.
Her passionate cry for independence actually stunned me. I couldn’t think, let alone speak, for a few minutes after that. It’s not often that girls her age find it within themselves to carry on, independent of any outside force.
Mrs. Strickland: You go through hell and end up in a better place.
This desire for individuality and respect is what really strengthens Lilette’s understanding of Wendela. I can’t wait to see the emotional depth she can now add to her.

Just because Lilette asks Robbie not to stand up for her doesn’t mean she can’t be there for him when he needs her. It’s a beautiful reversal of gender roles. Having Robbie come to her after the news about his mother redeems him tremendously.
Up until this point, Robbie has been portrayed as “that football guy.” Now, thanks to Lilette’s love and compassion, he is slowly melding into the type of person worthy of taking on the Melchior name.

This leads me to my final woman empowerment moment this episode. It may have taken nine episodes to really happen, but it finally did!
All season long, we’ve sat back and watched as Mrs. Wolfe let Lou come storming in and take over the department. She let a man run her passion project.
I don’t know about you guys, but I have been anxiously awaiting the moment she’d blow up at him. While Lou is definitely a passionate and caring director, he is still a man who stole a woman’s job.

Watching Ms. Wolfe — and trust me, I rewound and watched multiple times — tell Lou off for all the crappy things he’s done to her is richly satisfying. Rise is good at choosing the exact moment to pack the biggest punch. And two minutes from the end of the episode is obviously that moment.
However, as satisfying as it is to see all these female characters finally take it upon themselves to speak out, the best moment has to go to Simon. Hands down.

I said in my previous review of Rise Season 10 Episode 8, “The Petition,” that I am dissatisfied with Simon’s lack of Hanschen pride.
Simon: We believed in what you were trying to do. We showed up. Stayed late. We gave it our all. We trusted you.
Well, Simon must have read that and taken offense, because this week marks the beginning of a whole new Simon.
Gone is the sad, confused version of him. In his place is a radical, angry Simon. He is willing to fight for what he believes.

While Simon may still be miles away from completely accepting who he is, he is at least opening up about it now. He is acknowledging that he’s confused about some things, but that he’s willing to give it his all.
When Lou starts to cut away at what makes Spring Awakening what it is, Simon makes it his moment to shine. His words resonate long after he’s left the stage, because they are raw and honest.
With all that is going on at home, Simon could’ve easily dropped the musical or he could’ve stood idly by.

His blow up at Lou is a long time coming, and yet it’s completely out of the blue. Previously, Simon has shown no sign of speaking up at all.
As exciting and fun as his outburst is, I still can’t help feeling like Simon could be so much more if the writers were to give him a chance.
Spring Awakening is all about owning your life and your truth. Let’s just hope the students of Stanton High School continue to live their truth well beyond their days in the musical.
Further Musings:
- The fact that Lou now has a relationship with Gordy is all thanks to Maashous, which makes me smile. Gordy deserves the same love and attention from his father that Maashous gets.
- I really wish that moment with Simon and his father, where they have a heart to heart, could’ve strengthened their bond.
- Every time Lou suggested a change to Spring Awakening, my heart shattered a little bit.
What did you think of this episode of Rise? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Catch up with our review of Rise Season 1 Episode 8, “The Petition” right here.
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Check out the finale of Rise on Tuesday at 9/8c on NBC.
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