A Million Little Things Review: Mixed Signals (Season 2 Episode 3)

Almost everyone has a “date” on A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 3, “mixed signals.” Of course, there’s Andrew and Delilah’s date that’s not a date. Eddie and Katherine have a pool date, and Danny has a date with destiny at his high school musical audition. 

Even Regina has a date reckoning with a few harsh realities. 

It’s a huge step for her to put an official face to the donation she gave to the sexual abuse charity. She should be proud of that. 

The road she has to take to get there is unfortunate, for sure. But let’s be honest: Andrew is no match for her. She fact-checked that story like the boss that she is.

Andrew’s alpha male power moves push her out from behind the curtain she’s using to protect herself from the trauma of the sexual assault she experienced as a child at the hands of her uncle. 

But she’s strong enough now to earn the accolades she deserves in the culinary world and to own the trauma that has made her the woman she is — for better or worse. 

Regina’s strength also helps Rome own the story in his screenplay. He’s not selling out for commercial success, nor should he.

The script makes his very fake producer friend cry. That’s all of the proof Rome needs, and thankfully he figures that out. 

Suicide is an important topic that the media should address more often. A Million Little Things is, at its core, a show about suicide.

If Jon didn’t die so tragically, there would be nothing to watch. It’s only Season 2, but hopefully the team always remembers their beginnings. Viewers respect that kind of storytelling. 

We should also be proud of Rome. I know I am. 

Danny Dixon deserves a standing ovation — but maybe not for the reason you think. 

Yes, every Danny Zuko will go down in their school’s history books, so bravo on the leading role. But just showing up to an audition where you think you are competing with your ex for a role takes extra guts. 

Danny is 12. Often, on shows like A Million Little Things where adults are the focus, the kids’ love stories — even heartbreak — are lighter plotlines. 

Watching Danny admit to Gary how much Elliot hurt him makes me realize that Danny’s first heartbreak could never be used to lighten the mood.

He’s only out to his family, not to friends at school. And they stopped dating because Elliot isn’t out to anyone. 

That’s heavy, and there is no way to change those circumstances for Danny. It’s a perspective on what it’s like to be young and queer that I have never seen before or experienced. 

But just imagine not being able to date someone you have feelings for because they’re unable to accept a fundamental part of themselves that won’t change. 

It’s absolutely heartbreaking to think about having to deal with that as a 12-year-old. So, thank goodness for Gary. 

Through the audition prep and Danny getting the lead role he didn’t even try out for, the show is able to bring lots of light to the story in the end. But it’s not fair that young love has to be so hard for Danny. 

Speaking of supporting a kid (and possibly another Dixon kid at that!), we have to end with PJ and Rome.

It wouldn’t be surprising if PJ is Jon’s son. But Rome really and truly needs to find a therapist for that kid — one who isn’t Maggie — and get out of dodge. 

No matter who his father is, PJ really isn’t adding anything to the show. They might be pacing this story too fast or banking too much on viewers caring about the character.

A break from him and Barbara and her jerk of a husband (he just is, even if he treats his son well) is so welcome. Sophie deserves more screentime. 

Hopefully, PJ will go away for at least as long as it takes the DNA results from that sweater to get back from the lab. Speaking of the sweater: Is it just me, or did that thing come out of nowhere?

A Million Little Things is a This Is Us knockoff at its worst, and there will always be comparisons to draw. 

Jon is the Jack of the series and PJ is Jon’s next mystery for everyone to solve (or more likely just deal with). 

But lavish misdirects and reveals and cliffhangers are less successful on most shows than the people making them seem to realize. 

If A Million Little Things keeps its storylines shaped and sized perfectly for them, it will be fine. 

I know he is still an important part of everyone’s lives but on the best episodes of the show, I don’t have to worry about Jon. It’s entertaining enough to watch his friends deal with the obstacles in their lives. 

A Million Little Thoughts:

• I’m calling it now: Patricia is definitely not dating Eric. 
• They need to give us more flashbacks of Eddie and Katherine that don’t involve that sex table soon. 
• I’ve always felt indifference that was leaning toward affection for Theo, but he’s starting to get annoying. The show should bring a friend on for him. He’s very reliant on his parents on a social level… I’m not a parent, but it feels off.
• Wow, what Andrew said about Regina to the journalist is really low. 
• I’m intrigued by Gary’s mommy issues. Do we know if she’s dead or alive?
• Rome compromises for Regina and takes a directing job because helping her gives him the reason to do it. Does anyone else see a reciprocation and a baby in the Howard house in the future? Hmmm.   

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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