Camping Review: Going to Town (Season 1 Episode 2)

On Camping Season 1 Episode 2, “Going to Town,” the group splinters off when Kathryn and Walt make an unexpected trip to the hospital, and the rest of the gang hits a local bar.

The season premiere of Camping foreshadows that Kathryn will be front and center, and Camping Season 1 Episode 2 confirms it. After Walt and Kathryn’s overly coddled son, Orvis (Duncan Joiner), is knocked down by Jandice during a flag football game– one he’s not even allowed to participate in (Kathryn makes him wear a helmet anyway) –Kathryn goes berserk.

Kathryn and Walt head to the local hospital, and Kathryn carries her son inside, reminding viewers of Dustin Hoffman frantically racing through the NYC streets in Kramer vs. Kramer with his son in his arms following an accident.

Only Orvis isn’t crying or bleeding. He remains limp in his mother’s arms like someone who has learned it’s easier to give in than to fight the inevitable. Kathryn’s overreaction should come off as humorous, but Garner plays it so earnestly, it’s more exasperating than funny.

Kathryn is a helicopter mom on amphetamines. She’s in her element when she’s in the midst of a crisis of her own making. Walt’s only purpose appears to be trying to unsuccessfully calm his wife while tempering any offense she causes.

This trip to the hospital reveals a lot about Kathryn. She derives little comfort from the fact that Orvis is fine. Her concern for him immediately gives way to her own health issues.

It’s not just what she perceives to be lingering effects from her hysterectomy — a procedure she had five years ago — it’s her hyperbolic description of a never-ending array of aches and pains

Kathryn: I’m plummeting. Now that I’ve taken care of my son, my body is shutting down.

Viewers learn that, among many other things, Kathryn is a hypochondriac. She’s spent the better part of her adult life doctor hopping with an array of unnamed but supposedly serious afflictions.

This latest self-inflicted crisis leaves her in such agony, she can’t even stand to be touched by her husband. It’s not the first time she uses her health as an excuse to avoid any form of marital intimacy.

It’s obvious Kathryn suffers from some legitimate health problems, but she’s also got an out when she doesn’t want to deal with something, or in the case of Nina-Joy, behaves badly.

Kathryn lays in the hospital bed with her son, creating her own cocoon of misery. Even when Orvis insists he’s fine and comments his mother looks fine as well, Kathryn explains people may appear okay on the outside, but their insides are a ticking time bomb.

Kathryn’s attempt to protect her son from life’s often glum and unpredictable twists and turns is sure to turn Orvis into a neurotic mess if her behavior goes on unchecked.

Only two episodes in, and we want to shake Walt out of complacency. We know he’s going to hit a wall before the end of all this forced birthday fun.

Walt and Orvis may have to endure Kathryn’s dramatics, but the rest of the group decides to ditch the hospital in favor of a trip to town, starting at the local bar.

It’s in this environment where Jandice’s sway over everyone else really takes hold. Jandice may be the antithesis of Kathryn, but her compulsive need to yield to every impulse grows less endearing.

Day drinking should lighten up Camping’s dour tone, but it doesn’t.

There just isn’t anything amusing or lighthearted about abusive addicts relapsing, off-the-cuff conversational racism, or a woman who should be strong enough to defend herself and not manipulate her partner into doing it for her.

It’s understandable why these people don’t enjoy each other’s company but unclear why HBO thinks viewers will feel otherwise.

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

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Camping airs Sundays at 10/9c on HBO.

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