A Million Little Things Review: The Lunch (Season 2 Episode 15)
A lot can happen in a lunch hour, but A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 15, “the lunch,” is far too contrived for most of it to be believable.
Even when watching the most heartfelt storylines of the episode, the cross-outs on the script pages are visible in viewers’ minds. It’s almost as if the most predictable tropes are used to get characters into their conundrums.
When the circumstances aren’t predictable, it’s because they are so weak the idea is probably tossed in most writers’ trashcans.
Take Jake’s appendicitis, for example.
First and foremost, he’s not a character that viewers have known long enough to care about. The plot isn’t about him so much as it is about Sophie and Delilah bonding.
That much is clear, but it’s still absolutely ridiculous for Delilah to search up an employee’s address and go to his apartment to stop him from having sex with her daughter.
When Delilah gets there, her actions would be almost forgivable if she did stop Jake and Sophie from going too far. But appendicitis? There are no words for how weak that choice is. I check out the moment we see Jake on-screen in pain. Perhaps that’s heartless, but the truth hurts.
Gary and Maggie’s whole storyline is similarly yawn-inducing. The ending is particularly manipulative. Viewers have watched characters on TV secretly confess feelings about an ex to mutual friends for far too long.
A genuine twist on the idea would be to have Gary decide to step in for Larry. A genuine lunch between friends is a great way to re-establish a spark.
It’s not someday’s fault, but the plot that works best on the episode is the only one that doesn’t involve the restaurant at all.
Eddie mentoring a young musician has always made sense, especially if the alternative is him becoming a struggling wash-up and relapsing alcoholic.
Dakota is an absolute joy to watch! The notes she gets from the record label represent the feedback we now know (thanks to artists like Taylor Swift and Ke$ha) female artists receive all the time in real life. It’s inspiring to watch her combat every note, even if her rants are for Eddie’s ears alone.
She’s not wrong about her music and has every right to stand up for it. She shouldn’t do it at the expense of a record deal, so she needs Eddie on her side right now. The record company’s reaction to her is completely unfair and unprofessional — but that’s sexism for you.
On the other hand, it is a harsh reality that when Dakota signed to the label, she signed over some say in her music. She needs to face that reality without walking away every time.
At someday, the story that works best is Rome and his father’s. However, it’s quite convenient that a grumpy, depressed old man would decide to get up and go out after his son cancels lunch. Most fathers would just be angry and not speak to their kids for a while.
It’s a move done for TV, but since he’s there, it’s nice to see A Million Little Things address depression and therapy for everyone who needs it. That’s one topic at the show’s heart that’s not present so anyone can gain points for addressing difficult issues.
It’s also great to see Rome’s father proud of him. And a down-to-earth movie star with his priorities straight plain defies the usual trope, so credit is deserved there.
While one can’t help but be happy that Rome’s movie is moving forward, the meta storyline of a TV character telling his story through film or television within the show is overplayed.
We’d much rather see Rome and Regina’s adoption go through, but things are starting to get too rocky to trust Eve on that front.
A Million Little Thoughts:
- Thank goodness Derek is white, that was my biggest fear after A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 14, “the sleepover.”
- The way we are introduced to Derek is eye roll-worthy though.
- Did we know Gary works in the life insurance business? Either way, it’s refreshing to see that someone on A Million Little Things has a realistic job — especially because they don’t live in L.A.
- Katherine is always missed.
- Hugs for Maggie. Online dating is a nightmare!
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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 10/9c on ABC.
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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.