A Million Little Things Review: Miles Apart (Season 3 Episode 6)

Maggie makes a powerful choice on A Million Little Things Season 3 Episode 6, “miles apart.” Sadly, one character’s choice doesn’t instantly make a whole episode powerful. The execution of “miles apart” as a whole is underwhelming. 

Abortion storylines are rare on TV, and when we see them, watching someone actually choose to terminate a pregnancy is rarer. A Million Little Things is doing important work through this arc, but the story isn’t told with enough care. 

One reason is that the people around Maggie are dealing with equally important issues. Rome is depressed or lost because his movie shut down, Regina is already feeling the impact of COVID on the restaurant industry, and Eddie is in the midst of his addiction. 

Life can be that hectic and sad sometimes. But because A Million Little Things chooses to pile all of these issues on everyone at once, we as viewers don’t have the emotional capacity to give each issue the focus it deserves. 

The actors’ performances suffer a similar fate. The cast does its job well enough, but because the episode is so packed, no one stands out for their amazing dedication to their craft.

In other words, a lot happens on the episode, but none of it is particularly memorable. 

It’s also irresponsible to use an abortion to move a love triangle forward. But when Gary goes to see Maggie and spots Jamie at her door, that’s essentially what’s happening, whether it’s intended or not. 

Maggie’s choice is the reason Jamie comes to Boston, which means everyone’s feelings are about to get tangled deeper. We’re already watching a woman struggling with her decision to get an abortion… it’s manipulative to throw Jamie in at the end for some kind of shock value.

Darcy tells Gary to go be with Maggie. They are going to have uncomfortable discussions about it later, but subtly it should have been valued over plot twists. Women fighting for their rights deserve better. 

Gary leaves Maggie with Jamie and every choice he makes for her on the episode is a mature one. No characters are to blame; this is just messy execution. 

Maggie’s plot is executed only slightly better than Eddie’s. I’m getting so tired of him blaming his drug addiction on his accident. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be in pain like he is with no access to meds, but that doesn’t excuse this poor disability representation. 

Tyrell is the best character we encounter, and it’s unclear if we’ll ever see him again. 

A Million Little Things drowns in a mediocre sea, and it’s disappointing to admit that because Maggie’s story, in particular, has unrealized potential. 

To protect its creative dignity, it should take a lesson we’ve all been forced to learn during the pandemic. Sometimes, it’s necessary to slow down and focus on one issue at a time.

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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