Younger Review: The Debu-taunt (Season 6 Episode 8)

Younger Season 6 Episode 8, “The Debu-taunt,” is another home-run in a string of episodes that this season has hit out of the park. The truth about Liza’s age has finally come out to the public and Younger managed to pull this reveal off in a way that is both surprising and extremely satisfying.

With Diana being the last to know the truth, Younger takes the necessary beats to make sure that the relationship between she and Liza is written with as much care as any of the other connections on the show. 

So much happens on this episode of Younger that I am genuinely shocked that it’s still only half an hour long. 

Liza and Charles also take a big step forward before they’re forced to take several steps back. The love birds revel in some lovely domesticity and Liza offers to pick up some parenting duties for Charles’ girls. I was beginning to wonder about both Charles’ and Liza’s children during the previous episode, and lo and behold I get my answers here. 

This is the kind of content I have been hoping for between Charles’ and Liza, so it’s really gratifying to see the two of them grappling with these parts of being in a relationship in contrast to the uncomfortable external factors that had me worried earlier in the season. 

Conveniently, this storyline ropes Pauline Brooks back into the narrative as well. Pauline continues to be a fascinatingly complex part of this show because while almost everything she does creates obstacles for Charles and Liza’s relationship, she’s also never in the wrong. 

Pauline is the one who was lied to after giving both Charles and Liza far more trust and kindness than either of them had really earned. 

We are rooting for Liza because this is her show, we want her to be happy with Charles because their love story has spanned almost the entire series. But their lies, no matter how necessary, hurt people. Pauline has every right to expose Liza the way she does. 

The thing is, in an ideal world Pauline and Liza would actually make an amazing pair of friends. They both have so much in common and they understand each other in ways that few others do. It’s sad to see their small burgeoning connection fall apart because Younger manages to make us sympathize with both of them. 

Before things get too chaotic, however, Charles asks Liza to move in with him and I can’t help but swoon over it. 

Now that they are both on equal footing I feel like this relationship is finally getting the chance to breathe. Watching them flirt and move forward with the power dynamics removed from their relationship is really heartwarming. 

Liza: Are you asking me to shack up at the coffee machine?

Charles: Why not? If you’re going to keep one coat at my place, why not keep them all there? Why not spend every morning waking up together?

Unfortunately for Charles and Liza, this particular relationship milestone will have to wait.  When Pauline learns the truth, and that both of them kept it from her, she challenges him on their custody agreement. It’s the more selfless decision to put their plans on pause while that gets sorted out and I’m glad to see them choose what’s best for the girls over rushing to be together. 

Charles: I should have been honest with her about you from the start.

Liza: You were just protecting me. 

When Pauline reveals the truth about Liza’s age at the debutant ball, Diana is the first to jump to her defense. While we know that it’s because Diana doesn’t know the truth that she is the only one reacting like this, it speaks volumes on how much she’s come to love, trust, and care for Liza over the years. 

Diana instantly threw herself into the line of fire to protect Liza and knowing that this is how she learns the truth is more than a little heartbreaking. 

When Younger first began Diana was little more than a two-dimensional bitchy boss. But we’ve watched her become a key member of this family over the last six years. She’s someone who doesn’t share her heart in the ways you’d expect, but when she does share it the love she has is deeper than you’d ever imagine.

Diana: I’m fine, I just lost trust in humanity as a whole, but other than that I’m fine. 

Miriam Shor delivers a series-best performance on this episode as she effortlessly displays the maelstrom of emotions going through Diana as she processes the fact that not only has Liza been lying to her, but every other member of their little found family knew before she did. 

Her love for Liza is at war with her feelings of complete and utter betrayal. 

These two care for each other so much, and all of that love and everything that they’ve gone through together is so present in this final scene. Diana’s heartbreak is so clear, especially when she believes that she’s been played. She’s still open to hearing Liza’s explanation because she has to know that it wasn’t all a lie. 

Liza reciprocates her feelings and affirms that apart from the necessary lie that got her the job, everything else between them was real. Through her pain, Diana completely understands. She’s hurt, but she gets it, and she gives Liza another chance. 

I’m really excited to see how this relationship grows going forward now that Diana knows the truth. I hope that their friendship only continues to become stronger. I am thrilled that Diana finally knows, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way for that reveal to play out. 

As a final note for this episode, I am also a massive multi-shipper, so I am living for the phone call between Josh and Liza. I’m honestly so glad that even though she’s with Charles, Josh is still someone Liza can confide in and feel safe with. Whether or not they’re together romantically, they matter to each other and he is always, always there for her. 

Liza: How much time you got?

Josh: However long you need. 

OTHER THOUGHTS:

• Pauline’s speech actually makes my heart race.
• Lauren calling Liza ma’am is hilarious. More Lauren, please! 
• The fact that Enzo is the only one that Diana wants to speak to after her panic attack is so soft. This relationship might be the healthiest one on the show and I love it with my whole heart. 
• Liza is still Diana’s maid of honor! Excuse me while I go start a Pinterest board for this wedding. 

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

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Younger airs Wednesday at 10/9c on TVLAND.

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