HBO
When we last saw Jamie and Rachel, Jamie was reeling from Rachel’s decision to leave with director Mark Thompson. This week, their on-again, off-again dynamic takes them to Houston, where they’re set to collect Rachel’s belongings for the journey back to Los Angeles. As the plane prepares for takeoff, Rachel is already sweet-talking Mark over the phone and suggests a group outing with him and Jamie once they return to LA. This only reinforces our suspicions that Rachel is a bit self-centered (and perhaps a tad unstable), adding yet another tally to her questionable character.
Jamie meets Rachel’s parents, who surprise him with a gift from their recent trip: a Mexican version of Rogaine, purportedly more effective than the American kind. Jamie feels a mix of embarrassment and disbelief—this is how Rachel describes him to her family? However, he quickly regains his composure when her parents mention that Rachel considers him her emotional support in LA. Interesting perspective, Rachel.
That evening at a local bar, things start to spiral out of control. While Rachel is busy reveling and flirting with a rugged stranger, Jamie is busy chatting with her best friend, Lily. When Lily invites Jamie to the dance floor to teach him some moves, Rachel, feeling competitive, grabs a random guy and pretends to be enjoying herself with him. A playful dance-off unfolds, with both Jamie and Rachel trying to show they can have fun without each other. It’s a classic high school movie moment, but Jamie flips the script when he realizes he doesn’t need to compete; he’d rather enjoy the moment with Lily. Ouch—Rachel’s disappointment is palpable as she watches Jamie and Lily dance.
In a twist from last week’s events, it’s Jamie who suggests spending the night at Lily’s place, but Rachel insists on taking him back to her home, even honking the horn to disrupt any potential kiss between Jamie and Lily. Rachel is starting to embody the archetype of “That Girl,” the one who may not want you but doesn’t want anyone else to have you either. In the car, Jamie accuses her of being “the ultimate cockblock” and she counters, insisting it’s just too weird for him to sleep with her best friend. Jamie declares he’s fed up with Rachel calling the shots and asserts that if he can’t be with Lily, she shouldn’t be with Mark. They ride home in tense silence.
Meanwhile, back in LA, Mike has planned a romantic evening at a fancy hotel for him and Claire, but the pressure proves too much for their fragile relationship. Claire calls Rachel from the bathroom, desperately asking for help to avoid intimacy with her husband. Rachel responds with some tough love, pushing Claire back to the room, where Mike awkwardly reassures her that it’s okay if they don’t have sex (though it’s clear he disagrees). Instead, they end up watching a silly movie together.
Just when it seems like they’ll settle for a platonic evening, Claire suggests they go ahead and have sex anyway. The scene is tough to watch—Mike awkwardly adjusts pillows while Claire struggles to find comfort. He can’t maintain his arousal, and the camera captures the clumsiness and lack of chemistry between them. They erupt into a fierce argument, with Mike frustratedly declaring he’s not a “young stallion anymore” and needs Claire to stop talking so he can find his groove. He accuses her of dreading intimacy and shouts that he, too, is tired of the same routine after a decade together.
By the end of the episode, there are some reconciliations—sort of. Mike and Claire express their desire to avoid divorce and agree to attend couples therapy. Rachel offers an awkward apology to Jamie, jokingly asking if she can “make it up with a little handy.” They share an uncomfortable hug, and Jamie ends up crashing on her couch, letting out a resigned sigh.
And we, the viewers, share in that sigh. This series continues to deliver relatable portrayals of adult relationships, complete with all their chaotic intricacies. My expectations for Mike and Claire are low—he’s overly sensitive and lacks charisma, while she seems to be searching for something more exciting. It appears inevitable that Rachel and Jamie will share that long-awaited kiss, yet I can’t help but feel frustrated with Rachel after this episode; Jamie deserves someone who appreciates him fully, like Lily, rather than just viewing him as a project.
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In summary, this episode captures the complexities of relationships, illustrating how miscommunication and mismatched expectations can lead to tension. The characters’ struggles reflect the reality of navigating love and intimacy, making for a compelling watch.