'Blunt Talk' Recap: 'Is This All Because I Didn't Call You?'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

Perfection is something that is incredibly difficult to achieve when it comes to storytelling. After all, there's not a writer or director out there that can truly please everybody. Somehow, or in some way the plot simply doesn't resonate with an audience member, or the story doesn't quite wrap up the way that someone saw it play out in their mind. It's not a bad thing by any means, it's simply a fact of life in the entertainment industry. But once in a great while, a particular story gets everything right and believe it or not, perfection is actually achieved, as was the case with the season two finale of Blunt Talk.

That may seem like a bold statement, but it's a correct one. Because 'Is This All Because I Didn't Call You?' simply did everything right when it comes to the conclusion of a story. Every single plot thread introduced this season was resolved, which is no easy feat. The vibrant characters of this show wrapped up their respective story arcs and the season long theme of love and what it does to us was brought to its logical end as well and of course...it did all of this by never once straying from the laughs, which it brought forth in spades, starting from the opening moments of the show where we picked up immediately after last week's episode, with Walter and Harry in drag, their backs turned to Margaret Rudolph with a gun pointed at their heads.

It was a tense opening to say the least, but thankfully some quick talking and quick thinking from the group allowed for a clean exit from the wild party and that's where the first round of laughs arrived, because you haven't lived until you've seen Patrick Stewart and Adrian Scarborough running in heels. But, after their side splitting escape, Walter got down to business, turning over the raw video he recorded of Margaret at the party to the L.A.P.D. so they could open an investigation into her activities before turning his attention to getting back on the air and that's where Jim had quite the epiphany. Sure Walter was suspended from hosting the show, but being a guest, well that was a whole different matter, setting in motion a wonderful plan to get Walter on the air, one that everyone participated in, regardless of the fact that Bronson was at UBS to protect his interests in Rudolph Global, and well...that teamwork paid off. Walter was able to reach the people of Los Angeles and get Proposition 68 passed, see Margaret arrested for her crimes and even get a little payback on Bronson for the insults he threw Walter's way since the CEO was forced to step down due to his suspicious ties to Rudolph Global.

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Now normally, I spend a fair amount of time on the plot when it comes to these recaps, but a special episode calls for a special recap, one that spends a little more time examining all the things that went right this episode, especially when it comes to the fact that everything was wrapped up so sweetly because...Walter freaking did it! He brought a criminal to justice, he did something to change the world and that's a huge deal. Especially when you consider that a year ago Walter was high as a kite, driving through the streets of Los Angeles singing along to 'Miss Cindy' before literally busting balls and it's evident now that fateful night was a fine wake up call. He has grown into a man looking for something more in life. He set out to be a real journalist and leave something behind for future generations and he pulled that off, regardless of the risk he stuck to his guns and it paid off in spades.

What made his grand accomplishments equally as amazing is the sheer fact that the team came together to ensure that Walter was successful in his endeavors. There were no questions, no debates, just blind trust in their friend and together...they worked wonders. But what I loved most about this episode, was how it wrapped up the thematic concept of love and its effect on all of us. Rather than give us a hollow ending, where somehow Walter found love like so many did this season, he remained single, but cognizant of the fact that without love, and the madness it drives us to, he never would find himself surrounded by such a wonderful surrogate family and that's when it hit me. Love was merely the device to the story's true over-arching theme...life. This was a season designed to remind the audience that we should take every risk, regardless of the pain or suffering that may come our way because without those things we will never grow, never be more and most importantly...we may never experience wonderful and majestic moments that will fulfill our lives in ways we never thought possible.

It was simply a magical way to end this episode and this season and I have to admit that it was handled in such a classy and beautiful fashion that the closing image of Walter, surrounded by those he loves, celebrating their victory and their lives will remain as one of the most wonderful moments I've ever seen on television...and it absolutely brought tears to my eyes. Either way, Walter saved the day and there's no cliffhangers to be found here, just a wonderful and uplifting conclusion to a wonderful story and my thanks go out to Executive Producer/Writer Jonathan Ames for being the driving force behind such a lovely tale, and Patrick Stewart, Adrian Scarborough, Timm Sharp, Dolly Wells, Jacki Weaver, Mary Holland, Karan Soni, Romany Malco and every other actor that appeared on this show for their stunning performances that helped bring  this majestic world to life; and most importantly my thanks to Starz for allowing a show filled with hope to take the airwaves in an era where gritty stories rule and I certainly hope that Blunt Talk is picked up for another season because television needs more shows like this, ones that relate to their audience and inspire us every step of the way. Until next time.

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