The gang celebrates Alice's graduation, as Jimmy struggles with unresolved feelings. Liz and Derek differ on what their future should look like.
Jimmy is sensitive. His loved ones use that as a way to build others up. It tears Jimmy down in the process. He has spent his life expecting more from his father. He carries this resentment even though he has never expressed his disappointment with Randy. Paul doesn't click with Randy when Alice introduces them. Their love for her is really the only thing they have in common. She sees both as her grandfathers. In that moment, Paul is more than willing to declare Jimmy as an excellent therapist. He needs Randy to know that his son is incredible. Paul doesn't extend the sentiment to Jimmy. He expects him to already know. He doesn't need to hear it all the time. Jimmy wants that appreciation. He wants to be noticed. He needs more from his loved ones. Instead, everyone appears to be leaving him. It all happens quickly. Some were planned. Alice is graduating and moving to college in a couple of months. Paul is moving in with Meg in Connecticut. But now, Sean has accepted Derek's offer to live in his investment property, Brian and Sutton are going with Charlie on a temporary work assignment in Tennessee, and Liz plans a European vacation for Derek before they become grandparents. Gaby will still be around. However, she's transforming the office into her trauma center. That means Jimmy will have to find someplace new to practice. It's all completely overwhelming. Jimmy unravels at the person he isn't even truly mad at.
Alice isn't bothered by Randy missing her graduation ceremony. She's satisfied with the time they spent together in the days leading up to the event. Jimmy expects this moment to become a core memory. It's certainly emotional. It's absurd too when Jimmy pulls out a cardboard cutout of Alice as a baby. It's embarrassing and charming at the same time. Emotions were expected to come out in unexpected ways. Alice doesn't let Paul take over her party as his farewell to the group unnoticed. She calls it out. It's fun when everyone demands a hug from him. It's even funnier when Julie accepts Gaby's offer to make out. She delights in the camaraderie of this crew just as much as everyone else. She also serves as the catalyst for this reflective moment in Jimmy. An innocent comment makes him realize all of this is tougher on him than Alice. His daughter is thriving. She didn't have the best high school experience but she made it through. She survived. Jimmy remains a work in progress. It's scary. He has no certainty in his life moving forward. He has sought so much from these friendships. Now, everyone is leaving before they are completely satisfied. It's a conversation centered around Jimmy's demands. He's frustrated. He doesn't appreciate being called sensitive. That sets him off. He affirms that he can take it. Yet he leaves things unresolved with Paul out of spite.
It's effective how the show weaves towards that final act. It sneaks up on everyone. Jimmy certainly wasn't expecting it to happen. Parts of it were included throughout the season. Others just randomly happen. That's how quickly life can change. Gaby preaches the importance of making sacrifices for the people you love. Liz and Brian receive that message. They adjust accordingly. They will embark on the next chapter of their lives surrounded by love. That's all they need to be happy. Life is short as Derek frequently points out. It's not healthy to carry any resentment. He wants a life of adventure. That's not too big of an ask. Jimmy should find a way to be fulfilled with what he does without needing others to lift him up. He can't rely on his loved ones to support him. He missed out on so much life when Tia died. Others stepped up. They cared for Alice. He had to become present once more in order to move forward. That's the direction he needed to pursue. Their validation can't be the only thing keeping him going. He has to be satisfied with himself. He doesn't feel that way. And now, he will be all alone. Those feelings come to the forefront. They can't be avoided. Obviously, the show has been renewed for another season. This is only the penultimate episode of this one. So much still has the potential to happen. This gang is bound to come together again at some point. Yet the show started as a character study of Jimmy. It's fitting that everything revolves around that conflict once more even though the rest of the ensemble is so fleshed out at this point. They don't need him for validation or purpose. It's so encouraging and meaningful when it's received though.
