‘In the Know’ Recap: ‘Thinksgiving’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

IN THE KNOW -- Episode 105 -- Pictured: Zach Woods as voice of Lauren Caspian -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season One Finale of ‘In the Know’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It really is quite fascinating how Thanksgiving is currently viewed in society. For there are folks that now lament it, due to the fact that it has become less about giving thanks and more about fueling up to beat the crap out of someone over a doorbuster sale on Black Friday. And they also find disdain for the holiday because of the fact that it does have some respect issues when it comes to the Indigenous Americans that suffered around the time of the first Thanksgiving. Giving rise to an interesting crossroads for the holiday. One that has us wondering what its long-term fate will be since those concerns loom large in America.

But regardless of those perspectives, there is still merit to this holiday. Because at its core, it is supposed to be about unity, togetherness and being grateful for what we have in this life, and we can still find that and embrace it, provided we take part in a simple act during the holiday. One that was put on display in the season one finale of In the Know on Peacock. For ‘Thinksgiving’ took place on that all-important day. Wherein Lauren, and his son Eric, dropped by the office to say hello to everyone before Lauren’s turkey day agenda kicked into overdrive, and well… after a tiny window viewing of the Macy’s parade, Lauren’s plans went awry. Simply because Eric didn’t really want to follow Lauren’s agenda, he wanted… to get to know the team.

A reality that shocked Lauren to no end. For this was his special time with his son, and Eric’s actions just did not make sense to him. But it made sense to everyone else, simply because Lauren didn’t understand the meaning of the holiday, of what it could do, and he doubled down on his understanding of Thanksgiving. All by having Eric sit in with Carl while Lauren conducted a favor interview with the one, the only, Hugh Laurie. Which was rough to say the least, but that too… didn’t impress Eric in the slightest. Because he wanted what everyone else wanted, a holiday full of sharing and unity and care for one another instead of ideas and disdain and well… it took the most surprising person to point that out to our intrepid host.

Because while Lauren was trying to impress his son instead of relating to him, Fabian was going through her own difficult day. Because we came to learn here that Fabian, whose actual name was Ashley, harbored a persona that was nothing more than a ruse. One that she hoped would bring about closeness and awe and instead… brought about distance and walls, and we also learned… she was big on Thanksgiving and the joy it brought her and her family. But she too, rejected the core of the holiday, of what it can do for us and realizing that… prompted her to express to Lauren what they were both doing wrong, and how perhaps, for today at least… they should forget the nonsense and just embrace unity. 

Which gave rise to a moment of bonding between father and son, and bonding between the team. Because it was Thanksgiving, and by accepting the core element of this holiday, everyone enjoyed a wonderful time and perhaps… set down the foundation for the future in the office. One where there’s a little less edge and little more comfort and camaraderie, and hopefully, Peacock grants this unique and lovely, and very funny series a second season. So, we can see that growth and laugh some more and enjoy a series that really is refreshing and engaging, because television can always use more of that. But while we wait, we can revel in one delightful finale, one that had a lot of heart, a lot of laughs and a fine reminder of what matters most in our lives. Until next time.  

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