User Reviews

I have for quite some time said that the women of the show always outdid the men, but in this episode's case, Bill broke that long running truth. The episode starts off comical though, a Christian couple seems to have infertility issues when in reality they think making a baby is literally just laying together, and from there we go into the usual stuff. The first thing being the issues Virginia is having with her kids which can best be described as single mother guilt. Her son is upset his father isn't around, and she is upset she can give him the time and attention he needs. Her daughter meanwhile seems strangely unaffected. But, the words of her son, some of which is vicious, cuts deep and him declaring he wants to live with his dad not only hurt her, but bring up the issue that his dad doesn't want him and the only one who does he hates. A complex which he is too young to take on, so she does for him.

Then comes the issues Ethan has with dating Vivian, which he does reluctantly for he fears a relationship after Virginia set such a standard. However, Vivian is consistent and insistent and though perhaps he still has cold feet, he seemingly is dating Vivian now. The girl who is his boss' daughter, the one he took the virginity of, and the girl who has been dreaming of him for years. But perhaps, as he tells Virginia he is dating her, this is just a means of trying to win her trust again, including him stepping in where George won't and take up time with her son Henry.

But what hits hardest in this episode is what goes on in Bill's family. Though we don't explore it fully, it is implied that something dealing with Bill's childhood trauma led to sleepwalking being a means of showing something is wrong. Of course, his mother liked to think of euphemisms for his condition, but he reminds her such wasn't the case and he is reminded that he wasn't the only one to suffer when it came to his father. However, nothing on her part is confirmed, just hinted at.

What really got me though is what happens between Bill and Libby. Thus far, Libby has had a good pregnancy without any issues, then at Barton's 30th wedding anniversary party, there is blood and they rush to the hospital. Now, thus far we have seen Bill be nothing but stoned face no matter the situation, but as he watches his wife frantic over a baby she thinks is gone, nothing changes. He remains methodical, and looking for answers, until she demands what is known now instead of later. With this, the only answer he can give is: Yes, their baby is dead. So we watch as she gives birth to their child and see Bill hold it for a second, perhaps realizing that despite his doubts, he may have liked being a father, but as soon as he realizes the baby is not alive or moving, he quickly hands it away. Thus we see that as much as Bill seems to be a bore, in reality he just has suppressed his emotions so much that he can neither show signs of sadness nor happiness.

However, at episode's end, the morning after delivering his stillborn child, he is back at work. This is despite his wife speaking on how often he abandons her in her time of need, while she stays for every fit he has, and he speaks on not even trying again because he doesn't want a repeat of what happened. Somehow within 20 or so minutes we get a whole new side to Bill and a feeling builds in your gut which feels as tense as I'm sure his mind is trying to hold back from showing that anything is wrong. But then Virginia gives him the chance, if not forces him to have a moment, and though he can't cry with her eyes open, he seems to weep like how he should have for every moment he kept himself from doing so over the years. In that moment, it is hard to not cry with him. For despite his character flaws, and maybe not going through the same situation yourself, just imagining everything from his child abuse to losing his daughter just feels so overwhelming for the character, it somehow spills into you.

Overall, though I wasn't fond of Bill in the beginning, the last two episode have led to a complete turnaround. I can't say Ethan is at that point yet where he is forgiven for slapping Virginia, but he continues to work toward it. One thing I have to say though is that this show will definitely be nominated for something. Virginia is a well done character, Bill has revealed himself and has gotten me to tears, and the supporting cast help the narrative immensely. Each character, with the rare exception, feels fleshed out even if they aren't given much, for it seems everyone is given a scene to make each bit of dialog count, and really, what more can you ask?