‘Good Grief’ Recap: ‘Hot Water’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Good Grief’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
Stories that revolve around starting over in life via a second chance of any kind… tend to be quite brisk in nature, and it makes sense as to why. For these are stories that should be inspirational in nature, and nothing gets our spirits soaring, quite like watching someone attack that second chance with drive and determination and a gusto that leaves us ready to go after anything and everything in life, when we close the book or turn of the television or leave the theater. But while those stories do indeed leave our spirits soaring through and through, they do not of course, properly showcase what the second chance in life actually looks like.
​
Because that wouldn’t be quite as inspirational now, would it? For the road toward another opportunity is paved with doubt and worry and failure for that matter as well. Not to mention, sometimes it seems as though we are going nowhere since second chances don’t work on a schedule or feature carefully crafted moments that teach us powerful lessons to build upon. We just live, and we take everything one day at a time, because that is all we can do. If anything, a more realistic look at what a second chance in life looks like is top of mind today, simply because it was put on full display in the next episode of Good Grief on Sundance Now.

For when we catch up with Gwen in ‘Hot Water’, she’s just trying to survive. For she knows she is at a crossroads and there is little she can do in these early days, but her best and hope that is enough. Which brings forth some fascinating scenes with Gwen. Where we watched her go the extra mile to help with the business when needed and work to grow it as well. All because she was trying to see what sticks at this point and if making life a little easier for someone whose husband passed away in the night or setting up a commercial shoot for the funeral home gives her that direction down the line, so be it. And it was just refreshing to see Gwen settle in and try… after spending weeks just fighting everything. 

Which really did make for a realistic examination of this topic and that realism was extended well beyond Gwen’s actions. For this is a story that saw Ellie offer an apology and regret for being so wound up over every little thing in the business and it is also one that saw the crew get closer. For Gwen and Beau continued to toy with their love and Sharyn was also eager to host everyone at her place for a little ‘Spa-BQ’. Where everyone could just enjoy some good food and good times and just kick back and live a little and get to know each other better and really, that sequence and everything involving Gwen, really did lead to one satisfying episode.

One that felt real through and through and of course, brought forth the laughs. Because watching these folks film the commercial and use wild accents and inadvertent threats of death was just hilarious. But the realism is what matters most here. Because it made this episode about life and the pursuits of happiness that we chase, and it will be fascinating to see what Gwen learns from these moments and what this little bonding exercise does for the team. Because this is the first time, they were friends and not coworkers and that can go a long way for people when they’re fighting hard to gain that second chance or grow a young business. Until next time.

---

Powered by JustWatch