Wow. I kind of expected some sort of a cliffhanger to this episode, given that next week is the season finale, but I really didn’t predict that ending.
Before we get to the big dramatic conclusion, let’s talk about the good and the bad from this episode. First off, Victor Garber. Always good fun, particularly when he plays bitchy and cranky. It’s just a shame they didn’t give him much more to do in this episode, particularly with Gloria, as that could have been interesting. Still, I suppose you can’t really blame the man for falling into a coma. Which brings us to Zoey, coma-causer extraordinaire, the woman of a thousand faces. Seriously, the next time you’re watching the show, pay attention to Merritt Wever’s face; her mouth, eyes and eyebrows perform the most amazing hypnotic gymnastics, and it makes her performance absolutely believable.
The award for best female character on the show obviously has to go to O’Hara, and not just out of British solidarity. She consistently gets the funniest lines in the show, and this week had a great moment breaking down with laughter as Coop attempted to give a flirty wave and smile to Jackie. Long live Eve Best.
The bad this week? The spider patient. I understand the need for filler in episodes occasionally, but seriously? I could almost have forgiven it for not being funny, but it also felt unresolved. What was crawling around in the guy’s other ear? We never hear or see the patient again, which felt a little unsatisfying. Maybe the episode was running long and a scene got chopped.
Because, of course, the editors had to leave space for the final scene. After showing Jackie how to fool the new automated pill dispenser, Eddie follows her home only to discover she has not just one kid, but two, as well as a husband. Obviously now Eddie is redundant on two counts; Jackie no longer needs him for the drugs, and (in his eyes) no longer needs him for a relationship either. Poor guy.
I’d imagine next week will be suitably painful for all involved, whilst also bringing the funny. Can’t wait.