Platonic Season 1 Episode 6 Review: The Big Two Six
The age gap between Will and Peyton is the focus on Platonic Season 1 Episode 6, “The Big Two Six.”
It’s an interesting turn the Peyton arc takes by the end of the episode, but it benefits the overall story and serves as singular comedy, too.
The hint of trouble for the fresh romance between Will and Peyton was nice and subtle on Platonic Season 1 Episode 5, “My Wife’s Boyfriend.” The strengths of their budding relationship were showcased as well as the lighter side of the age gap caveat.
In fact, it did not just provide comic relief in an episode fraught with tension, but succeeded in getting the audience to root for the couple. The difference in age is quirky and endearing through the lens of that episode.
“The Big Two Six” shows the flip side, and does it just as comically as before.
Compare the charming thrift store melee of the previous episode with the choreographed dance Peyton and her friends put on at her birthday bash. The former Will describes as “so sexy and so gross” and during the latter he watches the juvenile performance in a state of complete horror.
Will actually doesn’t need Sylvia’s opinion to recognize the issues the age gap raises for him. We see a lot of what is Will projecting those fears onto Sylvia during this episode.
Sylvia’s reaction to this is great—she admits to finding Peyton to be too young yet adorable, and she ends up liking her, to a degree. Enough to (rightly) urge Will not to break up with her on her birthday, at least.
And, let’s be honest, she’ll probably be using her babysitter services regardless.
I particularly like how candid and truthful Sylvia is with Will here. It gets him to realize that the doubts and concerns he thinks are a direct result of his best friend’s unfair judgement are really what he’s been feeling all along.
It can be really difficult to recognize one’s own projecting, and it’s the sign of a really good friend, in my opinion, to be able to help facilitate that kind of self-awareness.
Especially considering Will’s own judgement is clouded with a new love haze.
So clouded he barely acknowledges the news of Sylvia’s new job. Even when she points it out to him.
Now I might be the one projecting, but I was kind of hoping she wouldn’t go back to work because it threatens to take quality Willvia time away from the story.
However, Platonic, in its short history, has already proven me wrong once before. I thought focusing on Charlie would be a mistake, but it led to an episode that I loved and gave five stars.
I’m going to be optimistic and say it’s the same situation; I look forward to being pleasantly surprised.
What did you think of this episode of Platonic? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Erin Allen
Erin is a former script supervisor for film and television. She's an avid fan of middle aged actresses, dark dramas, and irreverent comedies. She loves to read actual books and X-Files fan fiction. Her other passions include pointing out feminist issues, shipping Mulder and Scully, and collecting pop culture mugs.