Platonic Season 1 Episode 9 Review: Slumber Party

The upper hand in their marriage changes from Charlie to Sylvia on Platonic Season 1 Episode 9, “Slumber Party.”

It’s nice to see Sylvia out of hot water for once, but it’s short-lived and comes with some anxiety.

Charlie’s error may be severe, but the comedy surrounding it that follows is funny enough to power through the heavy  uncomfortableness at the start of the episode. 

First off, Sylvia’s reaction to Charlie telling her—which I’m so glad he did right away—is hilarious. The little emotional journey she goes through in such a short scene works so well because of Rose Byrne’s comedic timing.

It edits together very nicely and makes it a highlight of the episode for me. 

Sylvia: Would you like me to put the song, “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” on? Would that help you remember?
Charlie: It actually wasn’t that song.
Sylvia: What song was it?
Charlie: “Red Red Wine.”
Sylvia: UB40?
Charlie: Yep.
Sylvia: UB-serious? Oh my God, I just got full body chills from embarrassment for you. Wow. 

The gossip chain of how Will finds out about Charlie’s work indiscretion is comical, too—everyone is thrown off by the dry-humping. Each little discussion of it cracks me up. 

These Seinfeldian moments are the show’s strongest asset and I love when they’re allotted time and space within the story. 

Just as it’s nice to see Sylvia on the other side, as the injured party who deserves retribution, Charlie’s groveling throughout the episode is rather satisfying as well. 

Sylvia really makes him pay—a pizza/slumber party with six kids, one of which has never slept over before, is a nice touch—and there’s a point I worry that if she keeps it up, it will backfire on her and the tables will be turned between her and Charlie once again. 

By the end of the episode, Charlie and Sylvia have an honest heart-to-heart about not only Vanessa and the dirty dancing and dry-humping but Charlie’s insecurities about Will. There is no upper hand now, they’re back on equal footing as partners.

Thank God. I think I needed this smoothing over as much as they did. 

The storyline of Will and the differences he has with his business partners is beginning to stretch thin.

I agree with Sylvia and Andy that they don’t see eye to eye on much of anything, but I can also sympathize with Will and understand his stubbornness in the situation. 

It puts everyone in a tough position, and I’m not sure what the ideal outcome would be. It’s an opportunity to take the story in a number of directions, and considering this is the penultimate episode of Season 1, could set-up the mood of the seasons to come. 

I, for one, would like to see the series continued. The humor is the main draw for me. That and the chemistry Byrne and Seth Rogen have between them to play such a believable pair of friends. 

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

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New episodes of Platonic stream Wednesdays on Apple TV+.

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