Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Brett spends some much needed quality time with the kids, Alex gets his big acting break, and Michelle gives in to her attraction to David in this woefully unsettling finale of Togetherness.
Going into the Season One finale of Togetherness, knowing there will be a second batch of episodes, we knew it couldn’t be all smiles and rainbows, but who would’ve thunk “Not So Together” was going to be such a downer? It’s unclear what Season Two of the Duplass Brothers dramedy has in store given that every member of the core four is going their separate ways (or will be very soon). Brett is finding his own footing, Michelle is torn between the vows she made ten years ago and the feelings she feels right now, and Alex is off to New Orleans — but not before he gets his heart broken by Tina, who, in the words of Alex, is retiring to “walk Larry’s dog for the rest of her life” to avoid any real emotional responsibility or hurt.
Brett and Alex had their own individual breakthroughs: Brett finally opened up to the idea of “fun” and played hooky with the kids while Alex, who got the third-billing spot in Larry’s movie, confessed his love to Tina a la ’80s Brat Pack movie style — out of breath with wilted flowers in hand — and, naturally, crashed and burned. It was Michelle, however, who made a full 180-degree turn from the start of the season in this bittersweet finale about regrets, next steps, and regretting next steps. Michelle and her charter school warriors take a road trip to a committee in Sacramento to explain why their L.A. district so desperately needs such an institution for their children. When David falters a bit in front of the board of administrators, Michelle steps up to the plate as a mother and community member and more or less saves the day, giving the group hope that maybe all this work will finally pay off. Needless to say, David is impressed and uses her achievements as a way to further break the fast-melting ice between them.
Just as Michelle comes alive with David (as she explicitly says so), Brett comes alive without Michelle. For the first time since we’ve met our lead couple, Brett finally puts what he’s learned to work, albeit a little too late, and goes after the woman he loves. Though they initially said goodnight and spent the rest of their respective evenings alone, Michelle innocently passes a note under David’s door, only to realize he’s been right there, waiting. The weight of infidelity is heavy on Michelle’s face, as she’s unaware that Brett is on his way to Sacramento to save their marriage, but curiosity in finding out what she really wants overshadows right or wrong.
We’re left with Michelle kissing David as Brett’s newfound clarity has him driving into the night to meet her. Though the initial reaction is, “Oh no,” it’s almost impossible not to shrug at Brett and say, “Don’t bother, buddy, you lost her.” Michelle may not have cheated had Brett channeled this emotional breakthrough a few months earlier, but it’s a little too late; where Brett fails as a husband, David fills the emotional gap. Next season can start one of two ways: a few months or even years down the road with the foursome in different locales and emotional places, or with Brett pulling off the freeway into the hotel to unexpectedly catch Michelle in the act. The finale was certainly a cliffhanger, but for an all-around optimistic series, Togetherness left us worrisome about these four average joes who want so desperately to be happy.
Catch up on the rest of the season:
Episode One, “Family Day”
Episode Two, “Handcuffs”
Episode Three, “Insanity”
Episode Four, “Houston We Have a Problem”
Episode Five, “Kick the Can”
Episode Six, “Ghost in Chains”
Episode Seven, “Party Time”
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