Work in Progress Review: 162 (Season 1 Episode 3)

On Work in Progress Season 1 Episode 3, “162,” Chris and Abby’s relationship takes a big step at the end of a day of socializing together as a couple.

This episode is stressful.

But stressful in a way that is fun to watch. Stressful in a way that Abby’s anxiety permeates the barrier of the television screen and makes you feel it, too. It is felt acutely, but it is not a burden.

We are getting acquainted with Abby’s mental health issues just as Abby and Chris are getting acquainted. Although, they are more open through their progress, and we just get little glimpses into Abby’s mindset.

Over the course of the day and the episode, Abby and Chris attend three social functions. As someone with social anxiety, this is an extremely stressful situation, and to add to that Chris begins a countdown to the end of the day when, as he bluntly informs Abby, they will have sex with each other for the first time.

Considering that Abby hasn’t slept with anyone in seven years (“lucky seven,” says Chris, looking on the bright side), this news and the intermittent reminders throughout the day put a considerable amount of pressure on Abby. Not to mention that she needs to disclose to Chris that she has the herpes virus and the last partner she had did not react well to that information.

On Work in Progress Season 1 Episode 2, “176, 172, 171,” the flashback to meeting this partner, Melanie, was a nice memory. Here, not so much. Despite Abby’s concerns, Chris is nothing but receptive and comforting. They have a tactful ongoing discussion which includes Chris telling Abby about his boundaries in regards to intimacy.

Chris really knows how to listen and talk to Abby, and to see that in the context of queer romance is refreshing.

It is executed in an inspired approach that combines the seriousness and the comedy of the situation. Important information is exchanged and they are both safe to speak freely. That doesn’t mean that it needs to be devoid of humor.

While in a ride share with the chatty Escape Room Woman, Chris texts Abby from the backseat, continuing their conversation about sexual limits and needs. Abby’s reactions are hilarious as she tries to be polite to the stranger and respond to the blunt texts from her date.

The way the show exhibits texts can come off kind of gimmicky, but this technique is starting to fit in nicely with the comedic atmosphere. I can really relate to Abby’s use of a GIF response at this moment. 

And later, it is used in an even more engaging way. The screen is mostly black during their sex scene. A knocked-over lamp provides a quick illumination, but then, cleverly, so does Abby’s phone screen. 

This is an accurate representation of our modern way of communicating, and it is paralleled with the healthy communication Abby and Chris have regarding sex.

Each episode so far has had some sort of unexpected element, and on this episode it is the appearance of “Weird Al” Yankovic. He is a bizarre, alternate-reality version of himself married to Julia Sweeney. (They are not married in real life, but I had to look it up because it is so random I thought it might be true.)

Julia: For your information, he’s really actually not all that weird. In fact, he’s fairly boring. Aren’t you, Al?

Like, Julia’s Pat character from Saturday Night Live, some of Weird Al’s humor has been offensive in the past, and Abby takes this opportunity to address that. A lot of teachable moments come about so organically on Work in Progress, and I hope that becomes a mainstay.

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

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Work in Progress airs Sundays at 11/10c on Showtime.

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