I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a show title that sums up the shows content quite so well. That being said, for a pilot, the episode isn’t bad. With four main characters, they have four stories to introduce, but I thought they actually did pretty well with weaving everything together.
As is typical of a pilot, the majority of the episode is just an introduction to our characters and the storylines which will carry the season. Karen is a psychologist who was sleeping with one of her married patients prior to his death. We see their relationship through a series of flashbacks. Come to find out this patient was one of the founding partners of the law firm where Savi works. Savi and husband Harry are trying to have a baby, but fertility issues intervene. This is further complicated by the advances of Savi’s work partner, Dominic. Savi’s sister Joss is a free spirited, not-gonna-be-tied-down real estate agent. While her intentions are good, she is a tad over zealous in her efforts to help April, the recently widowed, newly single mother get back in the dating game. April's daughter Lucy has a birthday party, which leads to the introduction of single dad/new love interest Richard.
I have to say, going into watching this, I expected the show to be just a kind of ‘overly soapy’-‘nothing but sex ’-‘guilty pleasure’ type show. Let’s be real. In many ways it is. However, there is something about it that intrigued me to keep watching. The show also manages to incorporate some real and genuine stories into the mix such as the couple dealing with fertility issues, and the newly single mother trying to get back into the dating game. By no means is it the greatest show ever made on television, but it did exceed my initial expectations.
Now seems as good a time as any to add my thoughts on the actual content of the episode. So, spoilers are to follow. I guess we can start with Harry and Savi. While I understand why Harry was upset about the fertility issue, I think he kind of overreacted, and was unfair to Savi in her attempts to get him to open up to her. That being said, sleeping with a coworker is not the right way for her to handle the situation either. They both dealt with the situation poorly, but cheating is definitely the worse of the two reactions, in my opinion. By Dom going along with the affair, I kinda feel like he was taking advantage of Savi’s emotional state - being upset and not thinking rationally. That’s just a lame move, man. Also, what does it say about a person, when they are willing to knowingly participate in an affair like that? Sorry Dom. You didn’t win me over buddy. Yeah, it’s a tv show, and the title implies these kind of situations will inevitably happen. I’m not so naïve as to believe otherwise. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t have an opinion about these situations and the characters involved.
Karen. What are you doing? First of all, having an affair with a patient just screams stupid. It’s like the whole teacher dating student bit that so many tv shows use. It’s just annoying. Speaking of teacher student, she’s now basically getting attached to said patient’s son. Why, when you had an affair with his father, would you find it appropriate to provide counseling to him? Can you say conflict of interest? Not to mention Savi’s repeated warnings to stay away from the family. Come on now. On top of this, there’s the whole thing with her apparently illegally prescribing morphine. I felt like knocking my head against the wall every time new information of the details surrounding Karen’s affair were revealed.
The April story is probably the most unique of the episode. I guess that’s the best way to phrase it. I mean, there aren’t many shows that play on the idea of getting prank calls from your dead husband. Pretty convenient having a best friend who happens to be a lawyer that knows people who can trace phone calls for you. I’m not sure whether to take that as real life, or chalk it up to plot convenience. My knowledge of what lawyers can and can’t do doesn’t extend that far. For the record, Richard is adorable and sweet, and April needs to keep him around. Even if it doesn’t last, he’s one of those “great first boyfriend” type guys who would be good for her as she eases back into the dating world. Plus, it seems like they like each other, so there.
Joss doesn’t really get any major storyline in this episode. She does seemingly form a friendship with Alex, one of her clients. She also moves into Savi’s pool house to avoid being tied down by her boss, Mac, who essentially tries to buy her a house. I personally think that’s a smart move for many reasons, the least of which is the shady factor of a married man buying his mistress a house. Joss and Dominic actually share some similar qualities in this episode. However, I feel like the episode tries to make Joss a much more likable version of the “mistress/whatever the male descriptor of that is” figure. Joss’ affair is with a guy who doesn’t seem to have any obvious issues with his wife. It’s just presented as a carefree fling. Plus, we never meet the wife. With Dom and Savi, it’s a guy sleeping with someone who is clearly distraught and having relationship issues with her husband, someone we actually see and get to know on screen. Looking at it from that perspective, there’s also this undercurrent suggesting that men cheat for sex and women cheat for an emotional connection. I’m not sure how I feel about that statement. I don’t believe that this is necessarily true, but it does add an interesting dynamic for the show to consider why people cheat, and it is something that I believe they explore later.
So. I may have just way overanalyzed the show, but as a film major, sometimes I just can’t help myself. Like I mentioned, on the surface the show is just your average “sexy, soapy, guilty summer pleasure.” Looking a little deeper, however, I think there are some interesting and genuine stories to be explored. I think people are often quick to judge, purely because of the name of the show and the way it is marketed as the “sexy summer soap.” I mean, had it not been for the fact that Alyssa Milano is in it, I never would have looked twice at the show for that very reason. So my thoughts are, give it a chance. I think you’ll find there’s more to it than you’d think. I’ll keep reviewing the rest of the season 1 episodes as I can. Hopefully I’ll be able to knock some more out before the season 2 premiere on Monday. Thanks for reading!
Best Moment:
April and Richard in the store after the failed first date. He’s so charming and adorable. I love him.
Best Quote(s):
Joss: Don’t tell me you’re reading those sad old lady blogs “I’m barren. Does that make me less of a woman?”
Savi: We do not mock infertile Myrtle.
(At the funeral)
Savi: April and I must have left you a hundred messages. We thought you died. (Realizing what she just said) Oh. I am so sorry, that was so rude.
April: I’m so sorry.
Richard: You should be. I bought a new shirt and everything.
April: Really?
Richard: No.