A Million Little Things Review: goodbye (Season 1 Episode 17)

So much happened A Million Little Things Season 1 Episode 17, “goodbye,” I don’t know where to start. PJ seems like he will lead us into every other story in a twisty kind of way. 

Let’s start with PJ. This kid Rome is helping through his depression is Barbara Morgan’s son. His dad is Jon’s former roommate who died in the September 11, 2001 American Airlines Flight 11 crash. Jon didn’t get on the plane thanks to a woman named Sophie.

PJ thought Mitch was his dad until now because he watches Jon’s video goodbye to Barbara and learns that she was dating Jon’s roomate Dave and pregnant when he died. 

Before I continue I want to be clear that my job is to critique this fictional episode of TV. I’m not trying to desensitize the events of that day or be disrespectful in any way. 

For this to be the Barbara Morgan story is very fitting. By the season’s end, I had run out of ideas for who she might be. Who she actually is feels so hard to process because it’s so real and tragic. But it works so well because her story, while tragic, has the subtlety to it. 

She’s not a former mistress with a secret family trying to blackmail him. She’s not a bitter secret sister who reveals Jon’s real identity. These are the sensationalized answers that typical dramas might go for. 

A Million Little Things has not tackled every issue they’ve decided to take on flawlessly. But, they do make sure the stories they tell feel real. This group of friends has some heartbreaking issues, and each and every one feels like it could be authentic to someone’s life. 

I’ve never reached the level of sadness that Jon feels on the day he takes his life. Part of me wonders how he could plan it — why he lived with his pain for 18 years and decided to take his life when he did. Was it because of Eddie and Delilah? How could he just leave his kids? 

Jon is just a fictional character. But it really is a lesson in judging someone’s sadness. Jon’s reasoning is hard for me to process. I don’t understand it, especially because he had a family who might have helped him cope. But whether Jon’s reason for committing suicide is “good enough” is not for me to judge. 

Shifting gears slightly, the show didn’t have to try so hard to throw us off of Barbara Morgan’s trail. Her story doesn’t let me down in the end, but looking back, all of the red herrings for who she is and who Jon really is feel cheap.

Less is more. They didn’t have to make me wonder for a second if Jon might lead his secretary into a sex den that he had once taken Barbara Morgan to, you know? 

This Flight 11 story was once a theory floating around for how Jack dies on This Is Us but I still didn’t see it coming. 

Let’s talk about Mitch for a minute. It’s understandable that he loves Patrick (PJ) and wants to protect him. But, just as all of the red herrings for Jon and Barbara’s relationship feel unnecessary, Mitch doesn’t need to be such a jerk. 

His fears have merit, as PJ now knows who his father is. Still, his tone is so angry it really did make me wonder if Barbara is safe with him.

He could’ve faked confusion or been honest about his fears and the story would still be interesting. If Mitch is a part of next season hopefully he’s more human, less villain for no reason. 

Moving on…Eddie and Katherine’s cliff is better than expected. They won’t ever work if Eddie doesn’t tell Katherine the truth. The fact that Katherine doesn’t find out via a misplaced note or text is respectful and mature storytelling. It’s almost enough to prove that Eddie really does want Katherine. 

As long as the whole truth is on the table (like, literally put it all out on your sex table, guys) I support them. “Ship” is a strong word. Support works fine.

Before I give too much credit to the story — Katherine did find out about the affair because of Eddie’s phone. So, of course, they can’t repeat a storyline in the same season, especially the first one. 

One aspect of all of these cliffs that is so wonderful is that they don’t give viewers a minute more of the story. Let me explain. 

Eddie and Katherine’s story could’ve paused on Katherine’s face right after Eddie gives her the news. Delilah’s labor could’ve paused with the nurses announcing that the baby is in distress. Even Rome and Regina’s could’ve ended on a more concrete “me or a baby” ultimatum.

Either of these alternative cliffs could’ve been created with different editing. They probably would’ve made me more anxious about next season which is what some shows want to achieve.

These endings give me a bit more peace and make me feel excited about next season, even though few characters have any real closure. 

Gary and Maggie are the only ones who got a truly happy ending, and they definitely deserve it.

Both of them are responsible for keeping most of their other friends literally sane. It’s Maggie’s job — she’s very well within her rights to tell these new friends they need to seek out actual therapy. Sometimes she tries, but she never did follow through. 

And Gary “the rock” Mendes. Even while dealing with Maggie’s cancer, his biggest struggle this season is mourning Jon’s death. So, the scene at Jon’s grave where he is finally saying goodbye feels so satisfying. Gary deserves that goodbye. 

Maggie is right about him probably helping her through cancer because he is guilty he couldn’t help Jon. Hopefully, this issue doesn’t leak into their relationship too much.

It does mar their move-in a little bit. But as he tells Jon, Maggie is his “reason.” I think his love for her is very genuine. So, hopefully, his “goodbye” to Jon is enough closure for everyone. 

This would be a great place to end. But Rome and Regina’s marriage is in trouble for no reason, so I want to throw this easy solution into the universe.

Rome keeps saying he wants to “raise a person” and Regina seems to be against raising a “baby” more than anything. 

Both of their stances are valid. But adopting or fostering a teenager is the most logical compromise right? It’s such an easy solution that it’s surprising someone didn’t think up this option during the episode. 

This is where I leave you for the season, at least. The A Million Little Things season finale is a gorgeous tribute to what the show stands for, though there are many important issues they need to return to in Season 2. That’s about all viewers can ask of any show, especially a new one. 

So cheers to the friends, and cheers to Jon for essentially being the reason you have read all the way through this review. 

What did you think of this episode of A Million Little Things? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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A Million Little Things airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.

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