From the start, Grace and Frankie has been a delightful, albeit slow-paced, journey. However, the third episode, “The Dinner,” finally injects some much-needed momentum into the series.
Adjusting to New Lives
The episode kicks off with both Grace and Frankie still adapting to their new circumstances. Grace withdraws from an event sponsored by Robert and Sol’s law firm, while Frankie grapples with her creativity amidst the chaos. Concurrently, Robert and Sol are also navigating their new lives, attempting to establish a new normal by hosting a dinner party for all their children. Sol expresses concern that they haven’t thought the dinner through enough, but Robert reassures him that everything will be just fine. The contrasting reactions of each “couple” to their respective new lives present a more engaging scenario than the show has offered thus far. A stronger central theme bolsters the plot, giving Grace and Frankie the boost it desperately needed.
Family Tensions and Career Struggles
All the kids are apprehensive about the dinner, primarily fearing Grace’s reaction if she discovers the gathering and Coyote’s tumultuous history with Mallory. Additionally, Brianna faces the dilemma of Grace wanting to return to her former company, where Brianna now serves as CEO. Brianna is reluctant to re-hire her mother, fearing she’ll be overshadowed once again, and Grace grudgingly understands. Frankie also attempts to find a job but, comically, fares even worse than Grace. The humor in this episode is more consistently amusing than in the previous two, demonstrating that Grace and Frankie can truly shine when given the right amount of effort.
Dinner Party Drama
As anticipated, the dinner party is rife with awkwardness between the soon-to-be step-siblings. Coyote tries to have a private conversation with Mallory, and the full story of their last encounter emerges as Mallory nearly suffers a mental breakdown during the meal. Brianna and Bud also clash, addressing the fact that their families have been torn apart. Over dessert, tensions escalate as everyone finally speaks their minds. Mallory and Coyote find common ground through their new shared status, while Brianna and Bud storm out with the cake. Meanwhile, Grace and Frankie discuss their respective days and come to the realization that their lives are far from what they want them to be. To alleviate stress, they decide to go out for cigarettes. At the store, however, they are completely ignored by the employees, prompting Grace to have a meltdown as she refuses to be deemed irrelevant. Upon returning home, they find the cake waiting for them.
A Turning Point for the Show
It may have taken a few episodes, but Grace and Frankie is finally hitting its stride. The children are coming into their own, and their interactions are becoming almost as compelling as those between the four leads. The humor consistently lands, and the thematic strength of “The Dinner” elevates the episode’s storylines beyond what had previously been achieved.
[Photo via Netflix]
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