Perfect Harmony Review: No Time For Losers (Season 1 Episode 3)

Perfect Harmony Season 1 Episode 3 “No Time For Losers” is a solid outing for the the rookie series and a significant improvement over its predecessor.

In fact, watching the episode, which begins with the choir’s announcement to the congregation that they’ve won “Most Improved,” it feels like this was meant to be the second episode.

There’s fallout from Dwayne’s confession of love to Ginny as his friendship with Wayne fractures, and the group is working to find its new sound — and soloist — as it begins preparation for the regional competition.

Altogether, it would have made more sense to have it air directly after the pilot, as it provides some key character development and has a greater sense of momentum and fun.

Ginny (Anna Camp), facing extreme anxiety, doesn’t want to be singled out for the solo in “Ave Maria.” Buckling whenever she has to sing alone, she comes alive whenever she channels another persona. (That she describes her anxiety as so intense that her bra is wet even though she hasn’t washed it in a month is a nice touch. More weird one-liners, Perfect Harmony! It’s where you shine.)

While this isn’t necessarily the most unique storyline, it does provide an ideal showcase for Anna Camp to perform two excellent Dolly Parton covers (and who doesn’t love an excuse to hear some Dolly, anyway)?

Leaning into her alter ego, Darlianna Moonbeam, who she envisions was discovered at a Florida mall, Ginny finds her inner powerhouse as she sings “Here You Come Again” at Open Mic Night.

Camp does an excellent job letting us see the transformation from Darlianna to Ginny; it’s discernible when she’s finally confident to sing as herself, not as Darlianna.

Beyond the fact that it’s a great character moment, it’s a musical highlight as well. While the writing is somewhat uneven, one thing Perfect Harmony consistently does well is select and arrange songs that soar. This is no exception.

The Ginny/Arthur dynamic is increasingly enjoyable and it’s nice to see a female/male partnership that isn’t driven by romantic undertones. They’re positive influences on one another: Ginny’s sweetness makes Arthur (Bradley Whitford) feel more comfortable being vulnerable and honest and his brazenness pushes her to put herself out there.

Plus, they’re just naturally funny together; my favorite moment from this episode is when Ginny is utterly horrified at Arthur’s offhanded comment that her perfume smells cheap. The best part of the show thus far is this relationship and what they are able to offer one another so I hope Perfect Harmony capitalizes on that.

Friction between Dwayne/Wayne makes sense.

Dwayne (Geno Segers) has been harboring feelings for Ginny since high school and clearly has resented Wayne (Will Greenberg) for going after Ginny after Dwayne shared his plans to ask her to prom. This kind of longstanding unrequited love, plus the pain of feeling like your best friend has betrayed you, is a lot to unpack, especially because this has been a decade in the making.

That Wayne and Dwayne resolve their issues with each other over the course of one episode feels too fast and we, as an audience, are shortchanged a bit.

Realistically, would you really forgive your best friend for asking out your wife so quickly? Would you really be able to forgive your best friend for pursuing the woman you had a crush on? Perhaps — but it’s a missed opportunity for some heightened emotions — and hijinks! 

Once again, Perfect Harmony is guilty of rushing through story beats too quickly rather than stretching things out over a course of several episodes.

Overall though, this episode is an improvement over the last but there’s still some room to grow as the show finds its legs.

Stray observations:

• Is Shanice Williams ever going to get real dialogue?
• Line of the night: Upon being asked about the cleanliness of his home and his challenge to get a housekeeper, Arthur says, “People get suspicious when you ask them to bring a bunch of bleach down to the old houseboat at the end of  the road.”

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

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Perfect Harmony airs Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.

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