Written by John Edward Betancourt GROSSE POINTE GARDEN SOCIETY -- "Pests" Episode 102 -- Pictured: (l-r) AnnaSophia Robb as Alice, Ben Rappaport as Brett, Aja Naomi King as Catherine -- (Photo by: Mark Hill/NBC)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
When we last settled in to discuss the engaging new NBC series, Grosse Pointe Garden Society, we talked at length about how the series did an amazing job of presenting suburbia in a bold new light. For it truly spoke to how it has become a church of sorts, where absolution is given for our transgressions and where sins are repeated because of that, and well… while that concept alone could carry this entire season from a commentary standpoint, this show clearly has so much more to say about suburbia. For its next episode took the time to explore how part of why it is now a corrupted and vapid place, relates to the fact that it is also a sanctuary of endless secrets. A feat that ‘Pests’ accomplished by offering up some amazing follow-up to the surprises that well, everyone endured in this story. The kind that showed us how so many secrets are hiding in the world of suburbia. For instance, Brett came to learn that one big reason why his family split to pieces was related to the fact that this ex-wife would not speak to what she wanted in their relationship. She simply observed a situation from afar and made the call for them. A move that clearly, might not have been all that great. Since they still have chemistry and work well together. But in this place, keeping our emotions and our concerns a secret, matters over anything else, resulting in unnecessary strife. Not to mention, Catherine had to maintain all kinds of secrets about her life and her transgressions. Because Gary decided to use their affair as leverage. To the point where he played to her husband’s pity and was able to stay in their home. Just to rub it in her face. All because he did not think it was right that his transgressions/secrets were exposed to the world. Which prompted Catherine to try her best to find a simple way to juggle this madness and convince Gary to just, get the hell out of her house. But alas, his need for revenge and leverage was limitless and that prompted Catherine to do a genuinely healthy act in this tale. Since she decided, it was best to no longer keep secrets and tell her husband what actually brought Gary into their guest space.  GROSSE POINTE GARDEN SOCIETY -- "Pests" Episode 102 -- Pictured: (l-r) Melissa Fumero as Birdie, Matthew Davis as Joel -- (Photo by: Mark Hill/NBC)
Which was refreshing to say the least, since that’s the kind of healthy stuff we want to see, the end of secrets, the power of truth. So that the fallout is quick and blunt, unlike what Alice dealt with here. Because she was rightfully listless in this tale and struggling with the loss of her dog and the loss of her job, and she was so eager for peace and something more, she went to extremes to uncover the secret of who harmed her pooch. Which prompted her to confront that entitled kid out of the belief that he did it, but alas, he did not, and sadly for Alice… she soon came to discover that it was the last person she expected. For Doug happened to have a handgun and spoke poorly of that poor deceased pup often in this tale. Making it quite likely he put the dog down, and that’s a secret that no one should ever have to discover in this manner.
Yet, this episode wasn’t done showcasing how many secrets are kept in this idyllic place. For Birdie’s journey revealed that she was struggling with her decision to give her son away and wanted to do her best to do right by him now. Which got her in trouble with his dad. Because Joel and Misty very much wanted to keep that truth hidden, but Joel wasn’t totally cold on having Birdie around in some capacity. In fact, there’s some real chemistry there, the kind that clearly will help down the line for the bigger problem at hand. Since the flash forward of things to come revealed that Birdie and Joel are going to work together on keeping what happens and who dies a secret unto itself. One that will be complicated by the fact that the garden will be dug up in a few months’ time. But while we wait to learn more about that chaos, and the reasoning behind why Gary’s place of work will the final resting place of some major evidence, we can celebrate another delightful tale. For this one really did showcase how suburbia is filled to the brim with secrets, which will undoubtedly set the stage to explore how those secrets are the foundational rot for this godforsaken place. But that aside, it also featured some great moments, some fine dark humor, since we won’t look at sandwich bags the same way ever again. All courtesy of some great acting, a scintillating look at suburban life, and of course, we are beyond eager to see what other stunning observations this series is going to offer up in the weeks to come. As we dive deeper into the ugly underbelly of a place, we put such value upon. Until next time. Watch ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
April 2025
|
RSS Feed