This episode starts in black and fades out to white. Just style or a comment?
It is very stylised in that the beginning has a collage-like food sequence
and it ends with the tarot scene. "Have you ever stopped to think
about, like, refrigerators?" Super editing in the opening with juggling
tossed in without making a big deal about it.
Copious food references: Graham's recreational mustard and Patty's vegetable bin. But isn't it Graham's bin? Patty dumps a Miller down the sink. Doesn't seem like that would be their brand, though they might use it as an organic substitute for Draino. Although Patty seems slightly tight-assed in this episode, she's freewheelin' compared to her mom. As when she calls Angela into the kitchen, presumably to mention the beer Rickie was holding. Instead, she discusses her dad and the party then, as an afterthought, the drinking. And she just says don't do it again, without even punishing Angela.
Lots of displays of confusion and deception. Folks point out how phony Patty is, like Angela's comment that Patty would have more fun if she didn't spend so much time acting as if she were having fun. Yet Graham, after refusing to chat up Patty's mom, goes running to the kitchen saying, "Vivian, I didn't know you were here." Whatever. Meanwhile, at Amber's house and cocktail lounge, with all that great karma, Angela says "but I'm the daughter," forgetting Patty is also somebody's daughter, which reminds me of Tasmin Archer's song of the same name.
There's the cute voice-over where entering someone's home is like entering another country, not that she's ever been to another country. France doesn't count?
Amber uses the word bawling, which Rayanne had used in ‘Stranger.’ Not a common word these days. Rayanne's personality comes partially from her mom. For this episode isn't just about Patty and Angela as daughters.
Amber has a knack for saying the wrong thing to Patty, seemingly unintentionally and unknowingly. I wonder. In this case, she mentions Patty was adopted, as if that was something on Patty's mind at the moment.
Great scene where Danielle asks if grandma is gonna drive everyone crazy and Graham says you can't cook chicken without the fat. Patty delivers her little "pitch in and pull together" speech. "I actually think that this could be really fun. I really kind of do." In other words, we're stuck with it, so let's make the best of it. Later, in a rare moment of candor, Patty informs Angela "Rayanne is not your best friend," as if saying it could make it so.
Sharon appears briefly complaining about her hair and Rayanne gives her money for a wig. Sharon also sees Rayanne in a drunken stupour, when Angela isn't around. Jordan and Brian aren't around at all. You'd think Brian would attend Rayanne's party in his role as official photographer.
The music is good, with Julianna making her first musical appearance. A few character tidbits are tossed out: Amber is an x-ray technician ("it's not as glamorous as it sounds"). Graham's mom is dead. Possibly the first instance where he shows his interest in fishing ("that's a big one"). Rayanne's middle name is Marie.
As usual, Angela is impressed with Amber, or any adult not her own parent. But it's Patty she calls when the going gets tough. ("Mommie, I really need you," practically crying.) Patty's house has low karma, especially when Angela is told she must attend her grandparents' anniversary party.
As Act III begins, after the mid-break, the parties begin. Patty's mom thought it peculiar that Graham cares about cooking, and doesn't hesitate to add oregano (the universal herb), but she finds nothing strange about her husband (Chuck) not attending his own party ("You know how he hates parties") and seems oblivious to all the unnecessary trouble that went into preparing for his special diet.
Angela's remark about her mom being good at pretending to be happy could apply to Rayanne at her party, stuffing substances. Earlier, when Angela told Patty Rickie doesn't drink, she ignored it. It's only after Rayanne ODs that she says to Rickie, "That wasn't your beer the other day." No answer; they get interrupted, but it's like Angela asking a question she already knows the answer to. Patty seems to make it up to Rickie by inviting him to their house: "How would you like to attend a very dull party?"
Patty reveals that she had a roommate in college she really cared about, who was a lot like Rayanne. Of course, she also had a friend who was a lot like Sharon Camille.
The ending is sort of tacked on, but it fits in perfectly in the symmetry,
with the tarot cards describing various characters. Very satisfying, even
in dealing with treatment of drugs and moderation. Blends the happy and
tragic with magic.
MIDPOINT ANNOUNCEMENT - RAYANNE AND RICKIE