What to say about this episode? My title covers the breadth of my comments, but perhaps something else needs to be said. The show is very good, but I;ll say why. I am also made uncomfortable by the show, and tell you why there as well. Unapologetically, I'm not a fan of the language on the show, but I'm not oblivious to the fact that people talk like that. I'm also not oblivious to the dangers of sexual exploitation in our world which frames the context of every episode. Though I can see the show running its course on this subject matter, I believe they're also laying the ground work for additional seasons that cover much more than just sexual abuse. This episode especially dealt with so much that people know but don't often say, and for that reason deserves a review.
In every episode, Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell have been explosive in their depth of character. For both to shed their masterful, comedic personas from Friends and The Office to adopt this gravitas is nothing short of awe-inspiring. You long to see them succeed even as a part of you desires that they also be found out for the pain they've caused. In that way alone, "Lonely At The Top" takes off the gloves and kidney punches the viewer into submission. The relationships and report established in earlier episodes, and culminating in this episode, almost capture you unawares. With such dialogue, cinematography, and situational reality, we would be foolish to NOT watch in rapt silence as the nagging thoughts and questions run through our own minds: "Wow, how could he not see what he's doing? How could she miss the effect this is having on her family? And have I been that blind in the past?"
This is where the review gets uncomfortable. The gritty despicableness of sexual acts being conveyed on the big or small screen, especially when it's non-consensual, puts the viewer in a strange headspace. Some enjoy seeing such things, the man's and woman's body, the actions themselves, though I don't doubt some may be able to watch them with a detached and ambivalent clarity. But I don't know anyone who does. I know people who talk about how so-and-so is hot, how they'd "do" her, or they'd love to bounce a quarter off that @%$ or tickle those abs. I truly admire those who truly CAN witness such scenes unaffected, but I'm not there. We see Mitch being incredibly caring toward Alex and Hannah, and saying such profound words that acknowledge the pleasure and pain they enjoy/endure with their privilege. But he also completely misses the inner turmoil they all endure, and how their lives have brought all of that together.
I appreciate the great skill shown in this show, from start to finish. And I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the art that was Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Girl, I know you're an actress but I BELIEVED YOU! I saw each cranial explosion of thoughts, the internal screams that couldn't quite surface as you struggled with what was happening and, then, how you were unable to be addressed like the human who needed your experience to be heard. You showed fire, confusion, fear, hurt, and a deadened acceptance that was absolutely chilling. And I hated every minute of it. Not only do I know you were an actress who had to play the role (and despite the acts being faked, there were some parts that could not have been anything less than what they were), but you are a fictional "stand-in" for women across the world who are abused and never see their abuser punished. And you're working in an industry that continues to blur the lines between what needs to be shown and what doesn't, which will unavoidably continue to call for women (young and old) to play those roles and tell those tales.
This episode wasn't just good; it was great. It was very well done, but it was uncomfortable. I am thankful this tragedy is being addressed by a show, but I would hope that it would not be a part in propogating the cycle to continue the hurt. We should all learn something by watching the many struggle with feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness. The reality that those who are hurt, and those who know something about the hurt, feel as though they can't come forward is a shame, and the reason who some many abusers and so much abuse can continue. Perhaps the worst kidney punch of them all is how this episode shows us the dangers of allowing fame, money, position, or fear keep so many from telling the truth. We can do better. We MUST do better. My daughter and son demand it!
In every episode, Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell have been explosive in their depth of character. For both to shed their masterful, comedic personas from Friends and The Office to adopt this gravitas is nothing short of awe-inspiring. You long to see them succeed even as a part of you desires that they also be found out for the pain they've caused. In that way alone, "Lonely At The Top" takes off the gloves and kidney punches the viewer into submission. The relationships and report established in earlier episodes, and culminating in this episode, almost capture you unawares. With such dialogue, cinematography, and situational reality, we would be foolish to NOT watch in rapt silence as the nagging thoughts and questions run through our own minds: "Wow, how could he not see what he's doing? How could she miss the effect this is having on her family? And have I been that blind in the past?"
This is where the review gets uncomfortable. The gritty despicableness of sexual acts being conveyed on the big or small screen, especially when it's non-consensual, puts the viewer in a strange headspace. Some enjoy seeing such things, the man's and woman's body, the actions themselves, though I don't doubt some may be able to watch them with a detached and ambivalent clarity. But I don't know anyone who does. I know people who talk about how so-and-so is hot, how they'd "do" her, or they'd love to bounce a quarter off that @%$ or tickle those abs. I truly admire those who truly CAN witness such scenes unaffected, but I'm not there. We see Mitch being incredibly caring toward Alex and Hannah, and saying such profound words that acknowledge the pleasure and pain they enjoy/endure with their privilege. But he also completely misses the inner turmoil they all endure, and how their lives have brought all of that together.
I appreciate the great skill shown in this show, from start to finish. And I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the art that was Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Girl, I know you're an actress but I BELIEVED YOU! I saw each cranial explosion of thoughts, the internal screams that couldn't quite surface as you struggled with what was happening and, then, how you were unable to be addressed like the human who needed your experience to be heard. You showed fire, confusion, fear, hurt, and a deadened acceptance that was absolutely chilling. And I hated every minute of it. Not only do I know you were an actress who had to play the role (and despite the acts being faked, there were some parts that could not have been anything less than what they were), but you are a fictional "stand-in" for women across the world who are abused and never see their abuser punished. And you're working in an industry that continues to blur the lines between what needs to be shown and what doesn't, which will unavoidably continue to call for women (young and old) to play those roles and tell those tales.
This episode wasn't just good; it was great. It was very well done, but it was uncomfortable. I am thankful this tragedy is being addressed by a show, but I would hope that it would not be a part in propogating the cycle to continue the hurt. We should all learn something by watching the many struggle with feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness. The reality that those who are hurt, and those who know something about the hurt, feel as though they can't come forward is a shame, and the reason who some many abusers and so much abuse can continue. Perhaps the worst kidney punch of them all is how this episode shows us the dangers of allowing fame, money, position, or fear keep so many from telling the truth. We can do better. We MUST do better. My daughter and son demand it!