Physical Season 2 Episode 9 Review: Don’t You Want to Get Better
Sheila Rubin finally seeks treatment on Physical Season 2 Episode 9, “Don’t You Want to Get Better,” but at this point in the series’ run it seems fair to ask: is this too little too late?
Don’t get me wrong, this installment is full of people—including Sheila herself—finally saying many of the things we’ve wanted someone, anyone to say to our protagonist since the show started. It feels as though she finally displays some self-awareness about how much her self-hatred has damaged her and those she claims to love.
And, as per usual, Physical is at its best when it’s confronting the harsh reality of living with an eating disorder, and the way that recovery isn’t always (and really can’t be a straight line). But some of the episode’s feel-good moments feel weirdly unearned. Particularly because we don’t really get to see Sheila work for any of them.
For one thing, though Sheila’s self-hatred remains as apparent as ever, she doesn’t actually display anything that seems to resemble remorse for any of her actions, which would go a long way toward softening her character and displaying real growth.
I mean, a simple I’m sorry (one that she actually meant) would go a long way, is what I’m saying.
The episode opens with Sheila actually attending the rehab retreat she skipped out on last week, but we breeze right past her decision to do so. Yes, we saw Danny figure out she wasn’t there, but we don’t know if she agreed to finally do this simply to placate him or if she actually felt like this was something she needed to do for herself.
And that’s precisely the sort of thing viewers need to see—which is why it’s so frustrating that Physical just skipped right over it.
But at least “Don’t You Want to Get Better” finally admits out loud what viewers have known all along—that the real villain of this series is Sheila herself. Or, at least, the caustic, terrible voice in her head that berates her every move.
And even if the rest of the episode presents a sort of shiny, happy version of therapy, one in which Sheila experiences an emotional rage breakthrough, and then subsequently spends about a week taking the process seriously, and begins questioning whether or not she’s meant to go back to the fitness business.
Another patient brings up the lie at the center of Sheila’s empire when they discover she has a workout video, much the way Greta did a couple of episodes back, claiming that Sheila’s essentially selling a version of herself (a look, a body type) that she’s only achieved through disordered eating.
Since is the second time the show has brought this up, one might think there’s something worth poking at here, about the way that the fitness industry feels so comfortable manipulating women and encouraging them to chase impossible dreams. But…nothing comes of it. Again.
Instead, the episode ends with Greta showing up to bring Sheila home and presenting her friend with a trunk full of fanmail from hundreds of women who claim their lives were changed by her aerobics tape.
Is anyone else frustrated that Sheila’s essentially getting rewarded for what is essentially five minutes of clarity with a prepackaged shiny new life purpose? Look, I want this character to grow and change, but also I want to see that change happen. Physical seems to think offhand lines telling me it did are enough.
I accepted a long time ago that I’m probably never going to like Sheila very much. She’s a pretty horrible person and has shown little interest in becoming a better one. But I’d like to at least understand her story and where it’s going.
Stray Thoughts and Observations:
- Sheila does not deserve Greta in any way is what I’m saying.
- We love to see The Americans‘ Allison Wright thriving.
- Two episodes in a row with no John Breem! We stay winning!
- The idea that Danny feels he somehow has a right to be angrier with Sheila now that he knows who she slept with than he was when he initially found out about her infidelity is infuriating. (Don’t get me wrong he absolutely has a right to be angry that she cheated on him but this just feels gross.)
What did you think of this episode of Physical? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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New episodes of Physical stream Fridays on Apple TV+.
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Lacy Baugher
Lacy is a pop culture enthusiast and television critic who loves period dramas, epic fantasy, space adventures, and the female characters everyone says you're supposed to hate. Ninth Doctor enthusiast, Aziraphale girlie, and cat lady, she's a member of the Television Critics Association and Rotten Tomatoes-approved. Find her at LacyMB on all platforms.