‘Togetherness’ Recap, Season One, Episode Five: “Kick the Can”

It’s young hipsters versus old in a game of kick the can that ends up inspiring Michelle to stray away from Brett in this fifth episode of Togetherness.

…previously on Togetherness.

There are only three episodes left in the season and things are not looking up for Brett and Michelle, who emerge from an off-screen therapy session, which, in a nutshell, was “horrible.” Michelle is ready to let it go and get on with their day as a unit, but Brett admits he’d rather snuggle up with a copy of Dune and a peppermint latte at the local Barnes and Noble, because he wants to make sure he has no friends. Michelle pushes toward the opposite end of the spectrum — a game of kickball with their friends, who all magically have nothing to do on a Saturday and apparently have the most responsible, selfless babysitters in all of California. Listen, Brett, if you don’t start loving your life a little more, there are plenty of folks who will gladly take your spot.

Which reminds me of the dire straights discussed post-Episode Four, “Houston, We Have a Problem,” over at Buzzfeed. While initially, it seemed a little dramatic and pointed (so you’re a hipster now if you drive a hybrid and like kale shakes? Sheeeeeit), it’s worth analyzing how Brett brings out the worst in an audience that might want to give the rest of the clan a chance. Sure, Togetherness could be analyzed as Gen-X’s Girls, and maybe there’s a generational disconnect (because most millennials I know are offended by Lena Dunham’s agenda, whereas Togetherness feels slightly less preachy and optimistic in comparison), but pulling the first-world problems argument feels like a cop out. This can be said about dozens of series: that it’s tough being white, employed, and loved by your entire family (we’re looking at you here, Brett). Yet, as a loyal Duplass follower, I knew sitting down to watch the Togetherness pilot that the filmmaking brothers wouldn’t be offering us profound advice on how to better society or delve into understanding the tragedies that plague this toilet of a world. No, from day one, the Duplass Brothers have made a name for themselves by telling tiny stories about relationships — nothing more, nothing less. Togetherness is a flash of four peoples’ lives as they deal with age and disappointment as to what could have been. And yeah, is it infuriating to watch Brett turn his nose up at literally everything around him? — his adorable wife, even more adorable kids, high-paying job, awesome friends, and beautiful home? — absolutely! But I also think that it’s a job well done on the part of the brothers, who have managed to provoke us with a character like Brett, who would rather stew in his funk than work to get out of it and save his marriage. Tell me you don’t know people like that.

True to its title, the episode is centered around a game of kick the can rather than kickball, after Michelle is forced to compromise with a token hipster wearing a whistle that probably doesn’t work around her neck. While the youngsters teach them how to play, the thirtysomethings teach them how to shotgun a PBR. Things start off fun but end tragically for Alex and Tina after Alex tries and fails to put the moves on her. Surprisingly enough, however, Tina didn’t push Alex away at first, but ended their brief lip lock with a smack across the face, which means she totally dug it, but now has to face herself to figure out what she wants — a safe guy like Larry (Peter Gallagher) or a challenging soulmate like Alex?

Meanwhile, Brett pushes Michelle to her emotional limit (and makes audiences’ blood boil) when, in trying to compliment his wife, insults her altogether. “You’re like, my hero,” he mocks in reference to her ability to dust herself off after a brutal therapy sesh and attempt to have a fun day. In this moment, though it’s infuriating to watch Brett ditch Tina’s advice — “just fake it!” — and make Michelle feel like her life is meaningless, I blame Michelle for thinking Brett could not overthink something for once and have fun. We’ve only known him five weeks and we know it’s impossible for him to have fun. You’ve been with him for ten years, girl. He’s not fun anymore and he probably won’t ever be.

There to inspire Michelle to save (and win) her game of kick the can is David, the hot Latino guy from the charter school discussion two episodes ago. David not only magically appears out of nowhere, but ditches his game of basketball to help her win by distracting the youngsters with sprinklers. As Michelle is celebrated by her fellow teammates after her epic victory, she looks to David, who catches the attention of Brett who, of course, is waiting on the sidelines. OOF.

With three episodes left, it’ll be interesting to see if Michelle continues to work to save her marriage to Brett or venture off on her own and roll around in bed with a genuinely nice guy who inspires her.

Read more recaps:

Episode One, “Family Day”
Episode Two, “Handcuffs”
Episode Three, “Insanity”
Episode Four, “Houston We Have a Problem”

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Photos: HBO