Younger Review: #LizaToo (Season 5 Episode 1)

Our favorite summer dramedy has finally returned! Younger Season 5 Episode 1 #LizaToo deals with the #MeToo movement, both Liza/Charles and Kelsey/Zane, and drops perhaps the most inevitable plot twist of the series.

With Younger‘s setting being a New York publishing house within our own universe, it makes sense that they would tackle such topics as the #MeToo movement. I think the way that the show chooses to take on this subject is actually really clever and well done.

Choosing to use Edward L.L. Moore as their example of a sexual harasser is a logical choice within the universe of the show but it also shows that the people behind Younger have also learned since they originally wrote the character.

By having Liza, Charles, and Empirical press hold Moore accountable for his lewd and inappropriate behavior, the Younger writers are also holding themselves accountable. Sexual harassment is no joke and by going in this direction with these characters I hope that the show will continue to take this story seriously and see justice served.

I also appreciate the way that Younger manages to keep this storyline fairly light and very relatable. Moore is clearly a sexual predator, the type that is perhaps the most prevalent in our society. And he has already harassed Liza within the history of the show.

On “#LizaToo” Liza goes through what so many women go through when it comes to sexual harassment. We pass off disgusting comments and inappropriate advances, especially from men in positions of power, as just flirty old men being flirty old men.

But when Liza realizes she isn’t alone in being made uncomfortable by Moore’s behavior she finds the courage to tell Charles. Who in turn uses his privilege as the leader of the company and a man with as much if not more power than Moore to make a difference.

Seeing Charles follow through on standing with Liza and the other Pam Pam’s while being carefully aware of the complications of his own relationship with Liza is interesting to watch. Younger shows us the complicated feelings that both Charles and Liza are experiencing knowing that their relationship would be inappropriate while being aware that their feelings for each other are clearly reciprocated.

Another complication to Charles and Liza’s romantic relationship is the fact that his ex-wife Pauline is now firmly wedged into both their lives and determined to fix her relationship with Charles.

The thing about Pauline is that she isn’t a bad person, she isn’t the evil ex-wife trope at all. In fact, there are times you actually root for her, especially when it comes to the success of her book. One of the things that Younger does best is making you care for the characters.

We’re still rooting for Charles and Liza to get together, but we don’t want Pauline to be hurt in the process.

But Pauline may actually be the least of Charles and Liza’s worries now that Moore has revealed Liza’s true identity to Charles.

Charles finding out that Liza has been lying about who she is has been an inevitable plot point since the beginning of the show and their complicated relationship with each other. But I don’t think anyone expected this to be the way he found out.

In the past, Liza has had at least some control over how the people closest to her learned about her who she really is. And while she’s had some close calls, this is the first time she’s had zero agency in the revelation of her secret.

How will Charles move forward with this information? Will he confront Liza about it? How will it affect her position at the company and their burgeoning relationship?

OTHER THOUGHTS:

• Zane is kind of a brat. I want to like him, but I’m not much of a fan of in this episode at least in regards to the Moore storyline. His flirtation with Kelsey is kind of delightful, but I hope he sticks to her request that they each stay in their lane at work.
• Seeing the whole team at NYCC is really fun and I hope they get to do more things like that this season.
• The giant “COSTUMES ARE NOT CONSENT” sign hanging up when Liza speaks to the other Pam Pam’s is a great touch.

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

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

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