A Million Little Things Review: One Year Later (Season 2 Episode 17)
To borrow a phrase from the nation’s beloved Tom Hanks, an episode of A Million Little Things really is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re gonna get.
It’s either a beautifully nuanced work of art that feels close to the real human experience or an emotionally manipulative episode of TV that uses weak plot twists to shock for ratings.
Lucky for viewers, A Million Little Things Season 2 Episode 17, “one year later,” leans toward the former option as an episode honoring Jon’s life and death should. He’s the character we know the least about, and he hasn’t been on the series all season, but he is the reason we all tune in every week.
It’s a little early in the show’s life to be checking in on everyone’s growth, but these callbacks work surprisingly well.
Let’s start with Rome. We’ll never get tired of highlighting how important it is to tell stories about mental health struggles on TV.
His father Walter’s new battle with depression could feel recycled, but it doesn’t for a few key reasons.
First, depression and anxiety are hereditary. Secondly, Walter has just lost his wife; sadness is to be expected. Lastly, he’s just learned about Rome’s attempted suicide, it’s fresh for him.
Combined with the fact that Walter’s generation is resistant to mental health services like therapy, it all makes sense. The argument between Rome and Walter about Walter going to therapy is a great way to highlight how far Rome has come while also giving us more insight into their relationship.
It’s the absolute cutest thing that Walter expresses his appreciation for Rome by bringing over the same glow-in-the-dark stars that Rome had growing up for the baby. Hopefully, Walter gets the help he needs soon.
Moving from one healing relationship to another, Eddie and Sophie make up in the perfect amount of time. Sophie’s resentment hasn’t dragged on or resolved too soon.
It’s a little bit predictable that Sophie feels compelled to forgive Eddie because of a conversation she overhears between Eddie and her mom — but we can’t think of a better way to tell the story.
ALLISON MILLER, TRISTAN BYON
However childish Sophie’s behavior has been in the past, it’s incredibly mature of her to take Eddie to visit Jon’s grave.
As Rome says in his toast at dinner, when the tears subside after a loved one dies all we really have left to do is live in their honor. Jon has inspired all of his friends to live better.
But for a very long time, his kids have still been grieving their pain. So, it’s touching to watch Sophie heeding her father’s final wishes and starting to live better.
Anger is definitely more exhausting than forgiveness, but that doesn’t mean forgiveness is easy.
That brings us to Katherine because A Million Little Things is finally acknowledging how much of an outcast the group has made her in the past.
I’d argue that they still do, but since they gave her an office space to begin her practice, they can have a clean slate.
Katherine is the person in the group who most qualifies as a victim of her circumstances, so she deserves all of the nice things in life that she wants; a new law office (and make that rent free because one of the landlords owes her that much), a vow renewal — give her all of the nice things.
A Million Little Things has done a great job telling the story of a broken marriage in repair without ever really using divorce as a divisive crutch. Cheers to that and give Katherine all of the champagne she desires at this vow renewal!
A Million Little Thoughts
- Theo is a character A Million Little Things has struggled with writing. Good for them for bringing up his awkwardness very blatantly. He’s cute at the dinner and has an epic toast.
- Maggie telling Rome her Oxford news first feels so appropriate.
- The episode rating isn’t higher because it’s so hard to care about this new mysterious figure Alex who has something to do with Eddie’s sister who has come out of thin air.
- These people never work it’s so confusing.
- I like Gary and Maggie alone and together, but it’s strangely hard to care about their rekindling right now.
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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.