Thursday, January 30, 2020

REVIEW: 'Everything's Gonna Be Okay' - Genevieve Expresses a Concern About Alex to Nicholas in 'Silkmoths'

Freeform's Everything's Gonna Be Okay - Episode 1.04 "Silkmoths"

Nicholas is terrible at love! Genevieve's ambivalence about Nicholas' boyfriend Alex takes an unfortunate turn when the three go out together. Matilda wants to bake Luke a cake but takes her brother's advice.




In 2019, the television industry aired 532 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of Freeform's Everything's Gonna Be Okay.

"Silkmoths" was written by Hye Yun Park and directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg

It probably wasn't a good idea for Nicholas and Alex to bring Genevieve with them to drag bingo. To her, it isn't campy fun when the winner gets pelted with the cards from the losers. That is actually an embarrassing experience very reminiscent of how she was bullied at the start of the series because she got her period. She is still insecure and doesn't appreciate the more performative aspects of life. She would rather write poetry about her dog even though it twists around into being a story about her in the end. That makes her comfortable. She is still asking profound questions though. Matilda and Nicholas go to her for advice about their lives. This family always needs clarity from each other about how they should act in any given situation. It's unexpected when Nicholas prompts Alex to proclaim his love to him. Alex does so willingly though. He would basically have to love him in order to endure the torture of teaching Nicholas how to drive. That is a perilous experience at the start of this episode. It's funny as well. It shouldn't be in the moment. However, Nicholas keeps laughing because of the mistakes he makes and how they frequently freak out Alex along the way. It is enjoyable and further confirms just how charming his boyfriend can be. That's what he likes most about him. And yet, Genevieve gets into Nicholas' head about Alex being nothing but a charming personality. There is no depth beyond that. That is an issue the show faces as well. Alex can't be solely defined as Nicholas' boyfriend. Sure, each story has positioned him with the main characters in interesting ways that help construct the overall message for this specific family. He spends a lot of time with Nicholas after all. He has become a part of the family. That just runs the risk of him not having personal agency outside of these relationships. Nicholas, Matilda and Genevieve are seen on their own. They have their own interests. They can be self-involved. Alex isn't really like that. In fact, he is used to people liking him instantly. He is attracted to Nicholas because of his fighting spirit and determination to be liked no matter. Nicholas can be a lot to handle most of the time. And yet, his feelings are just as genuine as anyone else in the world. However, this episode builds to their eventual breakup because Nicholas fears he can't be in a relationship with a guy if his sisters don't like him. Genevieve makes her disapproval known here. It may just be her reacting out of spite. She deserves to have an opinion. However, she is still forming her personality as well. She is trying to figure things out. She remains constantly pressured by the world around her to fit into some specific mold. She is much more unique and complicated than that. She is embarrassed even after putting in all the work to make Nicholas' bedroom extra gay. It truly is a sight to behold. It shows that she wants him to be happy with his life here as well. He doesn't have to conform or give up what he wants now that he has this new responsibility. And yet, his mind may forever be persuaded by whomever voices a negative opinion. Genevieve brings up a point about Alex only being charming. And now, Nicholas can't see what immediately attracted him to Alex. That may not be a genuine issue at the end of the day. It's again Nicholas' head trying to convince himself that this isn't something that should work. He has to stop over thinking things. He tries his best to be accommodating to everyone involved even when it's difficult to process this breakup. Of course, Alex immediately has a date lined up. He can detail how awful it was when he and Nicholas get back together. That's the first step for him having a life outside of this relationship. The advice this family gives shouldn't always be taken. It runs the risk of creating complicated personal dynamics. But those may not be a big deal in the end. Nicholas and Alex are still in matching pajamas in bed together by the end of this episode. They are still solid. Instead, Matilda may be the one disappointed by the advice given because she fears she has lost an opportunity to win Luke over.