Pivoting Review: D-Day (Season 1 Episode 5)
Even after watching Pivoting Season 1 Episode 5, “D-Day,” all the way through, I’m still not quite sure what the titular and personal holiday our ladies celebrate is about, apart from lying in bed and wearing their teenage daughters’ clothes.
Episodes without a lot of plot developments can instead give us the opportunity to see a show’s characters a bit more in-depth. We do get some of that here, but I wouldn’t say that we learn anything we didn’t already know.
I’m not sure what to make of Amy agreeing to have a random neighbor she’s never met take care of her kids for the afternoon. Her learning curve as a mom is established well by now, but this serves only to make her weave a frantic web of lies. Also, I wish she appreciated Gloria more.
It’s another episode big on second-hand embarrassment, in less and more effective ways. The former comes through Sarah parading around in cut-offs to impress a young co-worker named Tanzy who she has a crush on.
On the surface, it should be sweet, and Tanzy is beautiful, but Sarah just winds up totally out of her element with her coworkers again. It is a little refreshing that this time she does so by acting completely unlike herself, though she does manage to toss in a comment about Tanzy’s age in the end.
I really do love Sarah, but I worry the show’s going a little too hard in her difficulties to relate to others. It’s still coming across with as much condesention as awkwardness on her end, and it’s something that she needs to address along the way to giving her the happiness she deserves
Speaking of, um, personal satisfaction, I’m far more appreciative of the way Jodie’s storyline is handled, even as it makes her a kind of outcast in her own friend group again. Since we might as well be open about it now: female masturbation doesn’t get enough positive coverage on TV.
Yes, it’s handled in slapstick form. When I talk about effective uses of second-hand embarrassment, I am absolutely referring to the scene in which she tries to hide from her teenage daughter that a vibrating makeup compact is not being used for its intended purpose.
At same time, we’re genuinely meant to realize that Jodie’s missed out on something by never having enjoyed such things before and that we should appreciate how much she gains from them now. Women are still shamed for even thinking like this, are there are real consequences to that.
We do get more of the dynamics between all three main characters that are the best part of this show, but I wish we got growth from more than just one of them during the episode. Thankfully, I have no reason to doubt that growth will come in time.
Other Notes
- So, about the whole “Jodie kissing Henry” thing. Where did that go? Also, I’m not sure having Dan barely ever exist is the right way to deal with the possible fallout.
- Henry remains entirely too good a person, though. It’s a bit odd that he has no concept of paying babysitters. Perhaps Gloria gets direct deposit.
- Amy shrieking “You’re not my table!” while reliving her waitress days when strangers tap her on the shoulder is hilarious and deeply relatable to anyone in the service industry.
What did you think of this episode of Pivoting? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Pivoting airs Thursdays at 9:30/8:30c on Fox.
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Caitlin Wyneken
Caitlin is an elder millennial with an only slightly unhealthy dedication to a random selection of TV shows, from PBS Masterpiece dramas to some of the less popular series on popular networks. Outside of screen time, she's dedicated to the public sector and worthy nonprofits, working to make a difference in the world outside of media.