Mr. Corman Review: The Big Picture (Season 1 Episode 10)

Mr. Corman takes its final bow on Season 1 Episode 10, “The Big Picture.”

Philosophic questions are posed to the viewer throughout the episode. Optimism challenges pessimism. We’re forced to look at the big picture.

These things come up in the course of a zoom date. And every moment of it is awkward, at times painfully so, but I think that is the point.

It’s successful in making the audience feel the high tech-tension through their screens filtered through ours. It is actually wretched and tough to get through some of these parts. 

The date has its ups and downs, but ends well. They have breakfast over zoom the next morning, and it does not. It really doesn’t seem like a good fit between the two of them.

Having this be the kick in the butt he needed to finish his song is enough of an ending for me. The bit at the end where Josh (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) leaves a message for Emily (Jamie Chung), apologizing is unnecessary, and makes the ending have less of an impact. 

Emily seems a tad insensitive to Josh’s experience with anxiety and depression, telling him it’s not severe unless you couldn’t work for weeks on end.

Her theory about straight, white males having a harder time adjusting to the setbacks and struggles that come with living in a pandemic is an interesting one, and it certainly applies to a lot of men, but I don’t think Josh deserves to be in that category.

A good portion of the episode is done in split-screen. Two talking heads on computer screens can make for boring viewing, so thankfully, Mr. Corman gets creative. This creativity is what I have come to expect with the show, but what’s done here doesn’t live up to the other episodes.

The fantasy imagining of their in-person date has that pop-up storybook feel like it’s had before, but even that element is subdued. The whole thing kind of feels like I, myself, went on this awkward, tedious zoom date.

And if that’s what all this inventive and mysterious storytelling from the past nine episodes has led us to, then I feel a little let down.

Although, I think I get the overall message. Josh needed real drums to complete his album, he couldn’t create that sound at home. Once he gets out and goes to a recording studio, he’s able to finish it. 

Real human connection is something you can’t achieve at home by yourself. Josh is able to move forward in his life once he has thoughtfully connected with Emily.

The philosophy of Mr. Corman is one of its greatest assets, and while it is there on this finale episode, it is dulled greatly by the dullness of the date.

Extra Credit:

• Victor’s describing his COVID stress dreams is disturbingly accurate.
• “It feels so transactional.”
• “Maybe that’s why you don’t finish things.” Why do I feel so attacked?

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Mr. Corman Season 1 is now streaming on AppleTV+.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

25 Most Incredible Series Finales of the Decade