A Million Little Things Review: Non-Essential (Season 3 Episode 5)
Maggie’s inconvenient pregnancy is the most intriguing element of A Million Little Things Season 3 Episode 5, “Non-essential,” and a surprise pregnancy is a very basic plot twist. So, at least it’s committed to mediocrity.
COVID-19 in itself is a natural and relatable obstacle to weave into arcs, but A Million Little Things insists on forcing the issue so much it’s damaging.
Maggie’s predicament exemplifies this perfectly. When you’re living in Oxford for a fellowship during a pandemic, even the beginning of one, it makes absolutely no sense to book a doctor appointment outside of the country.
The U.K. must have more than one hospital. Even if all of them are full, she seems to feel fine before her appointment. At this point, wouldn’t a doctor say that waiting a few weeks or even months for a check-up during a global pandemic is fine?
A Million Little Things wants Maggie back in Boston and gets her there, but we can almost see the cross-outs on the script pages that are proof that someone worked too hard to make it happen.
The same can be said for Delilah being stuck in Paris. The pandemic is a good enough reason to keep her there. Her father’s hip being broken completely disengages me from the story. Stephanie Szostak is not even on-screen; there is no need for A Million Little Things to work so hard.
Rome’s movie being shutdown is a similar problem. We’re as invested in “Invisible” as Rome is, so our dreams are crushed with his. But if the movie has to be shut down, must all our hope be ripped away by the end of one episode?
Delays would be a slow burn, but undoubtedly more effective and realistic. It’s just absolutely gutwrenching and unbelievable that Rome’s dream is just…over.
The table read among friends is the best scene of the episode, but what is Rome going to do now? His predicament is the saddest, but the most annoying is the lease situation at someday. restaurant.
I’m not sure if we already knew it was having legal issues, but if we did, the fact that I forgot is indicative of messy storytelling more than anything.
I couldn’t care less that there is trouble, and it’s not because I don’t care about Regina, Delilah, and Katherine (I also forgot she had an office upstairs). The trouble comes too fast and disappears too fast, we are literally not given time to care if we wanted to.
But the most ridiculous element of that story is Jon’s part in it. He’s dead and hasn’t been on screen in a very long time. I truly don’t care that the lawyer opposing Katherine is the person he talks to before his suicide.
If you care so much about Jon, where have you been?
It’s disappointing that Katherine gives Jon so much credit for Regina, Delilah, and Katherine making their dreams come true. Securing the building before his death was kind of him, but they’ve done all the work.
White men don’t need to be given the credit for women’s work in life, death, or on TV. That drags A Million Little Things down further than Eddie’s relapse plot.
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.