Mr. Mayor Review: #PalmTreeReform (Season 1 Episode 9)

Mr. Mayor Season 1 Episode 9, “#PalmTreeReform,” closes out its first season with a marginally better episode, but lacks finale flair.

Nothing about this episode says finale. In fact, if you didn’t know the show was ending on this (like me, oops, but also, yay!), you would think it’s just another average, kind of boring, slightly more tolerable installment of a sitcom that still hasn’t found its sweet spot.

There aren’t any interesting reveals or shocking cliffhangers, or really anything to set it apart from the other eight episodes. One of the main plotlines is that Jayden is sweet but gullible (we been knew) and Mikaela and Tommy realizing he is a human being with feelings. The other is Neil using both Arpi and his daughter for his agenda on palm tree reform. 

I mean, Yawnsville, amirite?

Jayden’s big announcement is supposed to be provocative enough for a first season finale, I guess. Because it can’t be the palm tree reform thing, right? Or can it?

The fact that I cannot discern which storyline is the main one and intended to be sufficiently significant for Mr. Mayor‘s first finale is a problem.

If the show hadn’t spent the entire season dumbing down Jayden and making him a ridiculous caricature, this plot might’ve held more weight. There is no reason that Jayden can’t be a complex character who is gullible and silly but also has a unique savviness. 

It is aggravating to see the potential for something great miss the mark so widely. 

The biggest redeeming quality of the episode, not to mention the series as a whole, is Arpi. Why couldn’t it have centered around her rather than an old white guy? I love Ted Danson—he’s actually an old white guy I don’t have a problem with (and, believe me, that list is short). This concept just isn’t the best vehicle for him.

Arpi is at her full intensity on this episode and it is so fun to watch. It’s nice to see her interacting with Orly, too—it makes for a good dynamic.

Arpi: Orly, thank you for having my back. The future is female!
Orly: Actually gender is a construct, but I’m still rooting for you!

If nothing else, Mr. Mayor has given me Arpi Meskimen played by Holly Hunter, and that’s not too shabby.

I can think of worse things. 

Stray Observations:

• Nice appearance by Ed Begley Jr. as Mayor Chat‘s host Chet Danville.
• Orly’s school has an official Tik Tok.
• What about a spin-off series with Arpi and Ms. Adams? 
• “Wait. What was I furious about before?” Arpi is so relatable to me.
• “There’s only one thing I like less than workplace hugs, and that’s not following the agenda!”
• “Right, Mystique?”
• “I’m tanning for two.” Okay, Samanthee is terrible but also pretty funny. Patty Guggenheim did an excellent job with this character.
• “Is that a Netflix show about sexy teen suicide or?”

What did you think of this episode of Mr. Mayor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Mr. Mayor airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.

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