Younger Review: Girls on the Side (Season 5 Episode 10)

Younger Season 5 Episode 10, “Girls on the Side,” is all about double standards, hard truths, and knowing your worth.

This episode is a little bit heartbreaking across the board but in the end, the lessons our favorite characters learn are extremely important.

Liza comes face to face with all of the negative aspects of having to hide her relationship. Even though she and Charles are being open and honest with each other, their positions at work and the nature of their relationship keep them from being honest with everyone else.

Caitlin comes to town with a much older boyfriend in tow, and he’s a professor at her college to boot. Seeing this relationship, which is not only uncomfortable for Liza to see her daughter in but widely considered unacceptable, puts things into perspective for Liza.

Because of her lie, Liza is essentially in the same kind of relationship with Charles. She’s a “27” year old assistant editor in a relationship with the 40-something head of the company, in a relationship that has to be hidden mainly for his safety.

Caitlin: Talk about glass houses. I thought you’d be cool with this.

Caitlin coming home from her date dejected and exhausted from constantly having to hide her relationship immediately helps Liza to realize that they both deserve better.

However, legitimate their reasons for having to hide are, Liza does deserve better than having to worry if her relationship with Charles is real or not. Keeping it a secret keeps it from being real.

If no one knows, about them, and if they have to constantly lie about what they are to each other then it not only devalues their relationship but it creates an imbalance where the lies are more real than what they have with each other.

It hurts to see Liza walk away from Charles after they’ve literally just begun. But at the same time, I’m proud of her for knowing her worth and not settling for less. She believes in this relationship and she doesn’t want to see it squandered into the darkness because they have to hide.

Charles: It’s just not the right time.

Liza: Call me when it is.

If Charles know’s what’s good for him he’ll work on that timing as soon as possible, let’s be honest.

Meanwhile, things on #TeamJosh have thrown my heart for another loop.

Even though “Girls on the Side” ends with Josh covering up the tattoo he got for Liza, I somehow still have hope for their relationship. I keep telling myself I’m completely on #TeamCharles, but boy does Younger know how to lure me back onto #TeamJosh.

Josh has always been brutally and beautifully honest, especially when it comes to Liza. He’s adored her since day one and even when he’s been blindingly angry with her, he’s still loved her.

I love seeing Josh tell Liza what’s real and what isn’t. He pushes her to be honest with herself, to be the best version of herself. And she’s done the same for him, by encouraging him to pursue his dreams and commit to himself.

Josh and Liza bring out the best in each other even when, if not especially when, they’re fighting. Those fights lead to real moments of growth for both of them.

Josh: You don’t even know what real is anymore.

He may claim to be over her and done with that chapter of his life and their story, but there’s a part of me that still wants Josh and Liza to live happily ever after in spite of all of their differences. These two were good together, and good for each other, and what they had was real.

Liza isn’t the only one making sure she knows her worth. Diana finally stands up to Enzo’s mother after she makes her jump through hoop after hoop to prove that she’s good enough for her son.

What Diana and Enzo have is real, and it works even when all of their differences say that it shouldn’t.

Diana: We’re from two different worlds.

Enzo: You’re right, which is why I’m moving to yours.

After watching Diana live through a borderline abusive relationship on Younger Season 4, it’s both refreshing and heartwarming to see her stand up for herself and be loved by someone who genuinely appreciates her for who she is.

I truly love this relationship, it’s what Diana deserves.

OTHER THOUGHTS: 

• Liza tells Caitlin that she’s been lying about her age and dating her boss! These reveals are always interesting, but I’m thrilled that it’s really not a big deal to Caitlin.
• What did Josh turn his dragon into? Will Liza see it?
• What will Charles do about Liza’s ultimatum?

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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