A Million Little Things Review: Save The Date (Season 1 Episode 3)
On A Million Little Things Season 1 Episode 3, “Save The Date,” Eddie’s secret affair with Delilah comes to light, leaving the other friends utterly bewildered. By the way, it is Gary’s birthday but as much as he dislikes his own birthday, he has a more irritating situation to worry about.
JAMES RODAY, DAVID GIUNTOLI, ROMANY MALCO (ABC/Eike Schroter)
People make mistakes. That is what Maggie thinks of Eddie and Delilah’s secret affair. This is very true, but is it a mistake if it happens countless times, to the point where the two of them have actually fallen in love?
How does one react to a situation like that? How do you secretly date your friend’s wife? Could it be the reason the friend committed suicide?
These are very tough questions to answer but it is important to consider how the friends deal with the grand betrayal.
Surprisingly, Gary, who seems like the easy-going one, is the most pained, and his entire reaction is priceless. This is exactly how one is expected to react to a situation like that. Rome, on the other hand, stays in character by deflecting, trying to make light of the situation.
ROMANY MALCO (ABC/Eike Schroder)
Notice the contrast between the characters. Unlike Rome, Regina has no problem displaying her annoyance with Delilah.
It is difficult to excuse the secret affair even though Delilah claims that Jon was never really there for her because prior to Jon’s death, we never got to see his interactions with his wife. In the same vein, Jon has always been presented as a man of the people. Everything about his memory has been presented as perfect so far. He even planned a surprise birthday groove for Gary. What wrong could he possibly do?
That is one snag still haunting this show. On Season 1 Episode 1, we were drawn directly into the drama. The show didn’t water the ground for the audience to understand the basis of the different relationships on this show. Hence, Delilah’s claim does not resonate as it should because it lacks the required premise.
ROMANY MALCO, ALLISON MILLER (ABC/Eike Schroter)
Delilah’s claims and Eddie’s situation have a correlation. In Eddie’s case, Katherine is the workaholic, and she has always appeared uncaring, and withdrawn from Eddie until this episode reveals why.
If everything happens for a reason, we can safely assume that Eddie’s relationship with Delilah started as a result of Katherine always being away at work. However, does Katherine deserve to suffer for working to make ends meet for her family?
This is where the conflict sets in, and why this issue should not just be jettisoned after this episode. It will require a healing process, a long road to recovery. Most especially, how will the friendship be mended? Since Eddie is in love with Delilah, what happens to his wife?
JAMES RODAY, DAVID GIUNTOLI (ABC/Eike Schroter)
When Gary playfully jokes about Delilah choosing Eddie and not him, it leaves a sour taste, akin to glorifying the illicit affair. Here’s hoping that the little cake-cutting, bonding session doesn’t signal the end of the issue.
Eddie and Delilah need more than tears to remedy what has happened. One can’t help but wonder whether Jon would have survived if Eddie had answered his call on that fateful day.
Like Rome says, Jon’s death can be attributed to a million little things but the fact that it could be connected to betrayal from his friend, is mind-boggling.
A Million Little Things is brave for portraying this cheating storyline that runs on moral territory. Even without the moral view, it is still a delicate subject, especially since there is a mysterious death involved.
ROMANY MALCO (ABC/Eike Schroter)
Situations like this can tear friendships and families apart, and I’m curious to know how they navigate through it without diminishing the likeability of the two characters involved – – Eddie and Delilah.
Generally, the actors deserve commendation for displaying very believable emotions on this episode. Worthy of note is how Maggie doesn’t act as hurt as the other friends, given that she never met John, and so cannot relate as deeply as the others.
ALLISON MILLER (Eike Schroter)
Speaking of Maggie, her dynamic with Gary is very interesting and shows potential. It is obvious they are beginning to fall for each other but both have lingering baggage from the past, preventing them from moving forward. How long will their slow burn last? Will they work out in the end?
Everything happens for a reason
Jon’s death, the cheating…is A Million Little Things trying to explore the meaning behind this saying? Friendship is a million little things, such as moving forward after a scandalous betrayal. But will this friendship truly survive?
What did you think of this episode of A Million Little Things? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Reviewer Rating:
User Rating:
A Million Little Things airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.
Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Cynthia Jones
Cynthia is a Sociologist but most especially, a TV enthusiast, with an undeniable attraction to authentic storytelling and powerful portrayals. Her interests also revolve around discovering ways of achieving social change through strategic strides in movies and television. Though she can barely strike a vocal note, she has an endless love for music and her piano is her bff.