‘Good Grief’ Recap: ‘Empty Nest’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘Good Grief’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
Something that is genuinely fascinating about stories that feature the fresh start in life, is how little they say about the catalyst moment when a person begins to choose to move forward and start over. Sure, there are big events that prompt it, such as a major life change, or heartbreak and/or loss. But the exact moment when someone realizes they can have a different path with some serious work eludes storytellers when honestly it shouldn’t. Because there really is a genuine moment that opens our eyes and informs us of the need for change and knowing what that might be, could help someone when they are struggling to find direction.
​
But thankfully, not all stories subscribe to that edict. Since the next episode of Good Grief on Sundance Now provided that particular moment for Gwen and it could not have come at a better time. For early on in ‘Empty Nest’, Gwen was still… in her dark place. For she was still mad at her mom for kicking her out and for doing little to welcome her back in. But she did recognize that perhaps she should try and be better to the point where she made an attempt to apologize to her mother and Stu, only to lose her temper when she found out why she was tossed onto the street in the first place. Which kept her soul bubbling with fury, that was until… an important moment took place at the parlor. 

For while Ellie was uh… enjoying some quiet private shower time with the plumber, Gwen was forced to help out a client. A nice woman named Robin who had arrived at the parlor to make plans for her own funeral. For she was dying of cancer and did not want her family worrying about such matters. A move that brought Gwen to tears and also… allowed for her to spend time with Robin and learn about her unique perspectives on life. Such as how important it was to live in the moment and just enjoy life and let anger go and that touched Gwen so deeply, that it awoke something within her. In fact, one could say, that was ‘the moment’. Where she gained perspective on her life and where it was going and what needed to change.

Which was quite the breakthrough for certain, one that was oddly reinforced by Ellie’s actions in this tale. For while Gwen was hiding in her sister’s closet to scare the crap out of her, because why not? Mom showed up and talked negatively about Gwen, and Ellie… came to her sister’s defense. And was quick to point how mom did some toxic things when it came to parenting and was taking part in some toxic behaviors now and that… blew Gwen away. Because for some time now she has felt akin to a screw up and failure and believed that no one had faith in her. But her sister did, and that too… seemed to change her demeanor and set the stage… for growth and a push to finally start over and find her true north.

But what matters more, is that the moment such an epiphany took place was present here. Making it clear that such moments do matter, and we should reflect and celebrate upon them when they become apparent. For they help us to focus on what we need and can guide us when we feel we are lost and that made for one beautiful tale. One that went a little lighter on the comedy here, but that’s not a bad thing. Because at this point we are vested in the family’s growth and the growth of the parlor and getting all that here… was just as good as a gag and well, now that Gwen is moving in the right direction at last, it will be interesting to see what kind of person she starts to become in the season two finale. Until next time.

---

Powered by JustWatch