‘Everything’s Trash’ Recap: ‘Catching Feelings Is Trash’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Everything’s Trash’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that folks that are currently single can agree upon, is that the dating world is a strange and sometimes uncomfortable place. But not for the reasons that one might expect. Because while a lot of folks would love to blame online dating and the speedy nature in which it brings people together, apps are not the reason that people are struggling to find a partner in life. No instead, a lot of dating woes in the 21st Century relate to a changing of the guard for starters. Since people finally understand what they want in a partner and won’t settle as so many claim they should do, not to mention those same folks have figured out if dating is right for them or if the causal life is more pleasing to their soul and well… like it or not, raised standards and an understanding of what we want, can create chaos, as do other factors.

The kind that just so happened to be explored in the next episode of Everything’s Trash on Freeform. for ‘Catching Feelings Is Trash’ is a story that saw Phoebe and Hamilton accidentally reunite on the street and in doing so… they felt that draw that enabled them to spend so many romantic nights together. In fact, their attraction was so strong… that Hamilton posed quite the idea to Phoebe. In that, they should flat out try dating for a bit. Something that Phoebe was skeptical of at first, despite how well it went, but eventually she realized… she really liked him, and they genuinely shared a connection and perhaps the time had come to leave the casual lifestyle behind and try a regular relationship and that is precisely when this story explored some of the other factors that are making the dating world so difficult in this modern day and age.

Because not only did Phoebe get called out for continuing to keep her honest feelings for Hamilton a secret to keep their budding love away from the prying eyes of her brother and the campaign (something she did rectify), but Hamilton also just so happened to neglect to tell Phoebe that he has a child, and that he keeps his relationships a secret from his child. Despite chiding Phoebe for doing something similar. Which are acts that make it clear that the biggest problems with modern dating… is a lack of honesty and communication. A reality that comes forth from the fact that we are afraid to be hurt, afraid to be vulnerable and afraid to be open with those we care about. Because modern love is more about concepts than the work, and until we collectively realize we need to put in the hard work to make a relationship work… these are the problems we will run into, and the behaviors we will take part in.

Which made for some fascinating and poignant commentary, and some familiar and frustrating moments for certain and what is amazing is that this episode had more to offer than just engaging commentary on modern love. For this also a story that explored the broader concept of self-love, specifically to know our worth and value and express that. Which was handled by Malika. Since she came to discover, with Jessie and Michael’s help… that she and Phoebe were woefully underpaid as podcasters. A discovery that initially motivated her to just let it be and go after a bigger payday during their next contract negotiation. But kind words from those around her, made her realize that she and Phoebe do amazing work. The kind that they should celebrate on a more personal level often and be compensated properly for, and that allowed for her to push for a bump and ponder upon moving the show to get their worth.

If anything, this was just the show’s most intimate and brilliant episode to date, and that’s saying something when one considers how many incredible topics it has already explored. But this episode just let loose and went above and beyond to ponder upon some powerful subjects that we all deal with on a daily basis, and kudos to the show for offering up such a raw and powerful examination on the nature of modern love and what it takes to love and appreciate ourselves and once again… this episode leaves u hungry for more of Phoebe and Malika’s adventures. For their journey of discovery has become a journey of self-discovery for the audience, where we ponder upon the lessons here and how they relate to us and that’s something quite special, and it will be fascinating to see what part of the human condition this show is going to tackle next week, in the most entertaining ways imaginable, of course.

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