Mr. Corman Review: Don’t Panic (Season 1 Episode 2)

Anxiety attacks can often feel like a giant fireball is hurtling towards the earth and there’s nothing you can do about it. That is how Mr. Corman depicts its titular character’s panicky spiral on Season 1 Episode 2, “Don’t Panic.”

The cartoon-y space flight that brought Season 1 Episode 1, “Good Luck,” to its close ties in the flaming asteroid in the clear yet gloomy San Fernando Valley sky at the start of the second episode. It weaves the two episodes together with an anxious thread while exploring mental health in a fantastical way.

Showing that fireball at the beginning creates an uneasiness right off the bat. It gives a sense of impending doom that is so very real—that hopeless feeling coupled with an unidentifiable demand for urgency without the means to resolve any problem, whether a resolution is achievable or not.

As a person who struggles with anxiety, I can tell you that this is an effective way to portray that feeling—so much so, that it is somewhat triggering. That gong/chime sound effect is especially distressing.

After Josh (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) gets back home, having called in a sub for the day, there is a crash sound outside his apartment, like maybe that apocalyptic sign was real. Alas, it is nothing, but that doesn’t mean the panic goes away.

In fact, it is built upon by the irksome situations that arise for Josh throughout the rest of the episode. Money troubles that bring up family problems, the inadequate U.S. health care system, and frustrating calls with customer service are all contributing factors working against Josh and his ability to get through this anxiety attack.

He talks to his friends about how he is feeling, but in a general and kind of impatient way that is not conducive to treating his affliction. Josh begrudgingly lets his roommate Victor, played by the wonderful Arturo Castro, be a weighted blanket for him—like, literally, he is the weighted blanket.

Get you a friend who will cinch a blanket around you and lay on top of you when you see how expensive weighted blankets are.

Other things Josh tries include asking his friend, Brian (Alexander Jo), for medicinal help and a pay-what-you-can breath work course. The latter makes for a funny scene followed by a poignant one.

Trying to figure out the appropriate amount to “donate” for the class is quite relatable and comical, almost like it belongs in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Josh approaches it in a very Larry David-like way, but in his own tepid manner.

Like Season 1 Episode 1, “Good Luck,” this episode of Mr. Corman ends in a thought-provoking scene. Josh goes along with the breathing exercises with a lot of skepticism, but when he sees the older woman next to him moved to tears by the process he softens and openly participates, going as far as holding her hand to make her feel less alone.

It’s still too soon to tell, but the fact that the first two episodes have several unexpected, ruminative moments is encouraging.

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

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