Gretchen, realizing she doesn't really have any adult belongings, takes the gang on a trip to the mall. Jimmy uses this opportunity to gain some writing inspiration. Meanwhile, a newly single Lindsay recruits a hesitant Edgar to help her pick up guys.
"Crevasses" isn't as uproariously funny as the season premiere was. And yet, the humor of Jimmy and Gretchen learning to live together is still very strong. They have chosen to make this commitment together. Neither one is trying to get out of this arrangement or relationship. They are happy with the way things are. But they still require a little bit of maturing as their relationship becomes more serious. The season premiere showed the two of them determined not to become ordinary people. This episode forces them to think about those normal things - belongings each of them needs, a way to make money, etc. And yet, the familiarity of it all doesn't detract from the story. It remains just as funny as always because it's these specific characters doing them. That's the appeal of this show. The characters are unique and so much fun to watch on a weekly basis.It's very amusing that everything Gretchen owns is just stuff she has accumulated over the years. Her one true belonging is the food processor from last year. That's her one item as a mature and responsible adult. Everything else she either steals or has for her own pleasure. She is still just living out of garbage bags. She has moved into this amazing house with Jimmy and Edgar. It's a major upgrade from her apartment that she burnt down last season. But she hasn't made this house hers yet. Part of that is Jimmy's fault. He sees himself as the owner of his house and enjoys how he has meticulously decorated the place - even though he doesn't know which drawer in the kitchen has the Bloody Mary supplies. But more importantly, Gretchen has avoided actually getting items for herself because the thought of it is so daunting and terrifying. That's a fantastic place to find comedy.
So much of this episode takes place at a mall. All of the four main characters go there for very different reasons. Lindsay is trolling for a new guy and manipulating Edgar into helping her. Edgar is so infatuated with Lindsay that he'll do anything she says. Jimmy needs new inspiration for his next book. But Gretchen is faced with the biggest responsibility of everyone. She needs to purchase items in order to make her and Jimmy's house feel like a home for both of them. It's something she has never done before. It takes her a long time to build up the courage to actually walk into the store. She deflects with thoughts about puppies and other things in order to avoid going in there. She would much rather continue to speed through the mall on handicap scooters with Jimmy. That's a lot of fun. That's where their relationship is at its strongest. But they both have to do these very serious things as well. It's daunting for both of them. They both come to some pretty big revelations and they all came about because they spent a day at the mall.
Gretchen makes it into the store only to be immediately paralyzed with fear. She has no idea where to start or what she even wants or needs. A nice saleswoman hands her a list of supplies college freshman should get and things start to click for Gretchen. She is no better off than a kid who is leaving home for the first time in regards to what one needs in order to survive in the world. She is an adult who has been on her own for awhile. She does have a steady job. But she's not completely responsible. Nor does she know how all of these things will make her a better functioning human being. She has gotten by with what she has for so many years. She doesn't think she needs anything more. She's amazed at all the great thing the store has to buy. But she runs away as soon as it becomes too real for her.
Gretchen doesn't want to just be living in the crevasses of Jimmy's home. She wants to make it as much her space as it is his. He has to be willing to let her do that too. He has to admit that things may not be as easy as he wants to believe they are. He needs to realize he needs to make sacrifices - whether it's accommodating to Gretchen or taking some writing jobs that are beneath him until inspiration finally strikes for a new book. He spends the entire day at the mall and all he can come up with is making every character a secret Nazi. He needed to realize that he had to compromise in order to make things good. He's not happy to take those copywriting gigs but he's willing to do so. He's also willing to give Gretchen a lot more space at the house. A gesture that she takes and runs with as far as she can - to the point where Jimmy is left with just a nightstand.
The Lindsay-Edgar subplot wasn't as great as the stuff happening with Gretchen and Jimmy. Lindsay has realized that Edgar is willing to do anything she asks. Meanwhile, Edgar is too hopelessly pining after her to realize just how much she is using him. She asks him to be her wingman. She makes him take her to a sports bar and get guy's attentions for her. Fortunately, the other guys at the bar are more aware of what she is doing and help pull him out of her trance for a little while. He spends the day talking to a cute bartender while she just eats lots and lots of ribs. Both are enjoyable experiences but they weren't what they came to the mall to do. Afterwards, Lindsay is still willing to just manipulate Edgar and Edgar is still willing to come as soon as she calls for help. It's not the best story but it still works because of the appeal of the characters.
Some more thoughts:
- "Crevasses" was written by Stephen Falk and directed by Alex Hardcastle.
- It's very funny that Jimmy and Gretchen both react in disgust to hearing about what Paul thinks love is suppose to be. That's not how they view it and it's very delightful to see.
- Apparently, Jimmy and Gretchen think tomatoes & tomato juice and carrots & celery are the same thing.
- Even with a bunch of rib sauce on her face, Lindsay is still trying to flirt with guys. Even more so, she actually takes her profile picture on her new dating app with the sauce still there. It's also impressive with where she got sauce - according to Edgar.
- The funniest scene in this episode was probably the opening sequence where Gretchen, Edgar and Lindsay are playing Trivial Pursuit and getting all the answers wrong - some accidentally and some on purpose just to piss Jimmy off.
- Gretchen: "Polish. It's where poles are from. You'd love it there Lindsay."
- Lindsay: "Q's are like the elbows of letters."
- Gretchen: "I don't know Jimmy, I really like that poster. Look at that cat. He's so cool."
