Chatswinners And Losers

It probably doesn't thrill the producers of Suburgatory that the one thing people know about the show, even if they don't watch it, is that it's the one where it seems like the father and daughter might be fucking. So, given that this season has been peppered with references to this reading of the relationship between George (Jeremy Sisto) and Tessa (Jane Levy), it doesn't seem like a coincidence that it's ended with the two of them breaking up.

Incestuous joking aside (and, having seen every episode, I guess I understand why some viewers perceive inappropriate sexual chemistry between Levy and Sisto, though I don't see it myself -- honestly, the aspect of the show that gives that wrong impression of their relationship is probably the opening credits montage, so...maybe think about tweaking those static poses a little, producers, if any of you are reading this), this season of Suburgatory has presented remarkably nuanced portraits of various kinds of families, and consistently made surprising, compelling choices with their various storylines. The Shays started out a family with one star kid (Parker Young's Ryan) and one forgotten loser (Allie Grant's Lisa), but the reveal of Ryan's adoption and Lisa's steadily growing confidence has changed Lisa's relationship with her mother Sheila (Ana Gasteyer) in fascinating ways that feel very true to life. It would have been so expected for producers to soften Sheila's edges in order to make her act nicer to Lisa; it's so much more interesting that Lisa has earned Sheila's extremely grudging respect by showing her that Lisa has actually inherited Sheila's ruthlessness. And when Ryan and Tessa failed to jell as a couple due to their myriad differences in personality, producers didn't force them to find common ground: they showed how a couple can, believably, grow apart even if neither party wants to end it -- again, the more interesting choice.

Producers also deserve major credit for the way they've portrayed Noah (the great Alan Tudyk) and his doomed crush on housekeeper Carmen (Bunnie Rivera). A lesser show would have made a joke of the relationship, since Rivera is not exactly a conventional TV bombshell; certainly, we've seen plenty of fun made of non-skinny women, their own sexual desires, and the men who are attracted to them on, let's say, How I Met Your Mother (did you see it this week? A pretty woman wouldn't take off her puffy coat! What if, since the last time one of the series leads saw her, she got super-fat? HAR HAR HAR). Instead, not only was Noah's love for Carmen treated with respect, but she went on to spark up a relationship with a Chatswinite who isn't even a serviceperson. "Housekeeper" is what Carmen does, not what she is. And God knows that the more we saw of Noah's monstrous ex-wife Jill (Gillian Vigman), the more clear Carmen's appeal became.

But the most careful attention has been paid to the lead Altmans, obviously, starting with George's relationship with Dallas (Cheryl Hines). Though it's been obvious from the start of the show's first season that the mutual attraction between these two characters was headed somewhere, the end of their relationship last night felt earned. That's not to say that it's seemed wrong this whole time -- Sisto also has good chemistry with Hines -- and given what we know about his ex-wife Alex (Malin Akerman), the appeal of someone like Dallas, who is kind and loyal and fun, is obvious. But when Dallas told George, in the finale, that he's never really been in love with her, and you look back over their courtship over the season, you see how true that actually is. George wasn't just missing subtle cues; he was ignoring obvious signs and, over and over, not paying attention to Dallas's needs, from the silly ones up to the ones she obviously felt were important. She may be ridiculous in her dress and crystals store and whatever else, but Dallas has always been the kind of person who would not only name a dog Yakult but also hire a therapist for her, and George knows that and should have accepted it. Dallas can do better, and undoubtedly will.

Ultimately, what I appreciate most about this season is how much thought has gone into producers' handling of Tessa's mother Alex. Reuniting with an absent parent after his or her very long absence is a touchy thing, even if both parent and child desperately want to reconnect with each other. Resentments are hard to forget; old patterns are hard to break. It makes good sense  that Tessa would try hanging out with Alex's mother (Miriam Flynn) first; those stakes are lower, but still offer Tessa a way in. And it also makes sense that, having gotten a little bit used to the idea of actually being a mother again, Alex would be mature enough, at long last, to recognize what Tessa needs and offer it to her. Even though I'm sure Alex is not going to be a long-term fixture in Chatswin -- Akerman is going to be the titular lead in Sarah Haskins's Trophy Wife (though, yes, I know it's only a pilot, but if it doesn't get picked up, I will riot) -- but I like that she and Tessa are getting to know each other...and I hope George spends this hiatus feeling like a jerk.

What am I forgetting? Oh yeah: EPIC GIRL FIGHT.

At least Dalia (Carly Chaikin) can take the summer to grow her eyelashes back.