A Million Little Things Review: Writings on the Wall (Season 3 Episode 2)
A Million Little Things Season 3 Episode 2, “Writings on the Wall,” is a cohesive episode of television, even if we have to stretch to make the title relevant.
Cohesive is fine, but A Million Little Things still relies on its typical yawn-inducing devices and potentially offensive tropes to create drama.
So it’s not reaching amazing heights, to say the least.
While I am a wheelchair user, I’ve been disabled my whole life, so I don’t exactly know what it’s like to go through the stages of grief that Eddie is going through before he reaches acceptance of his current abilities.
I do know, however, that when disability is represented on TV, it’s often depicted as shameful, and this episode could be used as a prime example of that.
Mobility devices do get left in different rooms sometimes, that is realistic enough — but this doesn’t mean it’s the right choice. Especially not if the point of your character being stranded is to have him pee himself and then feel shame about it. That’s a childish choice.
The goal is to have Eddie realize he needs more help by the end of the hour. There are a million little ways to accomplish that goal without having Eddie pee on himself in the process (pun intended).
It’s impossible to say what “would really” happen in that situation. Or, what “should’ve been” done. But because disability is so scarcely portrayed on TV, there is an extra level of responsibility that productions should hold themselves to.
If Eddie is at the point in recovery or rehab where he can be home, he has some tools to help himself. He should use them.
Dialogue about all of the reasons why he decides to sit in his pee instead of trying to get to a phone or his chair is the easy choice, not the authentic one.
To be frank, all of the Saville’s are throwing pity parties for themselves and I don’t want the invite. A Million Little Things needs a disability consultant on set if Eddie’s miracle isn’t happening soon. (Please, definitely insert an eye roll here.)
Plus, the man at their door at the last second of the episode is the millionth example of emotional manipulation throughout the series.
Most dramas use it, so A Million Little Things is not alone. It does use the “shocking twist” device on nearly every episode. We are beyond “numb to it.” I’m just not sure a phrase exists to describe what we are.
It’s a shame because when natural drama does occur for characters, it’s wonderfully executed.
The state of Rome and Regina’s marriage is heartbreaking. Failed adoptions happen all the time, so it’s not hard to put ourselves in their places. And both of them have valid reasons for feeling like they do about what happened to them.
It’s not hard to picture ourselves in that situation as we’re watching — but it is hard to decide what we would do to fix it.
So, it’s sad to watch Rome and Regina navigate this because there are so many ways it could end. But I also hate watching the best couple on the show lose their shine.
Christina Moses and Romany Malco elevate content that’s already good, but it’s sad that so many other stories on the show can’t quite compete as far as intensity.
Gary’s long-distance love triangle is tolerable. It’s at least unique that Maggie is abroad and Gary does have chemistry with Darcy.
The key to sustaining a love triangle is not to tip the scales to one side too much. By that standard, this is still working but there is something bland about it.
Maggie and Jaime bonding over the contents of the unopened chest adds levity to the episode and I do actually believe they’re connecting.
Jaime sharing the memory of his school play costume shame after his mom’s death is the specific detail we need to feel closer to a new character.
Plus, the advice he gives Maggie about “keeping your mind where your body is” is good and a thread that runs through a few plot lines.
A Million Little Things can be confusing to watch sometimes because of the disparity in the quality of the stories.
It’s something that can be remedied, and a good first step would be to stop using Eddie (and an able-bodied actor) to portray antiquated stereotypes of disability.
A Million Little Thoughts:
- A Million Little Things creator DJ Nash puts a movie based on Rome’s life on a show about his life and it seems like overkill.
- Using a Maroon 5 song on an episode where they’re referenced is cute.
- Sophie’s memory of Jon is sweet.
- Delilah and Sophie’s bonding scene is genuine and fun. Sometimes we just need to hang out and eat prosciutto with our moms.
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.