‘Grand Crew’ Recap: ‘Wine & Journals’ & ‘Wine & Tastings’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

GRAND CREW -- "Wine & Tastings" Episode 210 -- Pictured: (l-r) Aaron Jennings as Anthony, Nicole Byer as Nicky, Carl Tart as Sherm, Echo Kellum as Noah, Justin Cunningham as Wyatt -- (Photo by: Jordin Althaus/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Finale of ‘Grand Crew’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There comes a point in our lives, where we hope… that nothing changes in our lives. For we are beings that love consistency and comfort and when our lives are going great, and everything is perfect and in place… that’s when we have that hope and that’s when we savor every moment that surrounds us. Because it feels like we’ve made it, that perfection has been achieved. But alas, that hope is nothing more than fleeting. For life is and will forever be chaotic and constantly in motion, and it will present us with new challenges and opportunities that change our dynamic deeply and move us into phases and chapters that we didn’t know were waiting for us. 
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Which can be trying times indeed, the kind that will leave us out of sorts and in need of a lifeline to hang onto. Which more often than not, will be our closest and most cherished friends. Because they always know how to lift us up and help us in our time of need, and we know how to do the same for them and well… the struggles that come with the seasons of change and the need for great friends surrounding us when they arrive is top of mind today… simply because the season two finale of Grand Crew on NBC focused heavily on that. Because following Fay’s exit, the winds of change were blowing through the world of the Crew and that forced all of them to lean upon one another and help one another move into what was on the horizon.

For instance, Anthony had the opportunity to buy a house after all these years, one that was perfect for him and that… led to some worries regarding change in both ‘Wine & Journals’ and ‘Wine & Tastings’. Because it meant that Sherm was going to lose more than just a roommate, but a best friend, and even Anthony was struggling to handle the reality that he might enter into a new chapter in his life that wasn’t comfortable or sensible and for a time, Sherm used that to his advantage. To talk him out of buying the house. But a stern talk from Nicky and his own conscience, helped Sherm to realize that he couldn’t hold Anthony back. He needed to help him, encourage him, and embrace the unknown… and he did. Which led to Anthony getting the house and more surprises along the way. 

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GRAND CREW -- "Wine & Journals" Episode 209 -- Pictured: Echo Kellum -- (Photo by: Jordin Althaus/NBC)

Because Wyatt and Kristen were pondering upon children after all thanks to an extended visit from Wyatt’s niece, and Sherm… well he finally enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime when he and the Crew were invited to a prestigious wine tasting event by the very sommelier that watched a genius steal Sherm’s ideas. All in the hopes of showing Sherm he had a palate like no other and could do wonders with it, and while he didn’t win a special competition that Noah signed them up for, he got an invite to go to France. Giving him a shot to learn the craft and change his life and he pondered deeply upon that since it was going to shake up his life. Speaking of shake ups… Anthony also lost his job, after buying a house no less and well… all of this change should have scared everyone because it was just so much, so quickly.
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But instead… the Crew all rallied around one another. For there was support for Wyatt and Kristen to become parents and embrace that new journey and Anthony received support to just… enjoy life for once and his new home and his new chapter and Sherm, was nudged forward to take that sommelier class overseas. Because this might be his calling, and he might find newfound happiness in embracing what he knows best and well… that was a powerful way to end season two. For change really was the central theme of the entire season and to see the Crew lift one another up and constantly support change in a healthy manner, was beautiful. Because that’s how we truly grow in life, with our Grand Crew at our side, cheering us on and us cheering them on, and that’s what we should all strive to have. Friends like these, so that we never feel alone or lost and are always secure in the knowledge that someone has our back. 

However, while that made for one satisfying ending to this season, make no mistake about it, this finale was still as hilarious as they come. After all, Noah’s adventures with a woman that was his sexual superior was legendary from a comedic standpoint, as was Wyatt’s struggles with a picture book and the whole wine tasting finale was just nuts. Especially when Nicky did her best to shield Anthony from the truth with her own wallet. If anything, the sentimental nature of this episode, and the jokes made for a perfect finale. One that really did an amazing job of closing one chapter while starting the opening lines to another and hopefully we get to see that next chapter via a third season… and beyond. Because this really is a special show about the ties that bind us to the family, we choose for ourselves and television needs more of every wonderful component that this show about friendship and wine, and the ups and downs of life… has to offer. Until next time.

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