(Season 2, Episode 5)
“Who am I? When did I become the needy housewife?” – Wendy, on feeling hurt when Shane didn’t kiss her goodbye.
I take back any previous comments I made about Victory and Joe not having any chemistry. They sparked plenty of chemistry in this episode, and we also get a little glimpse into Joe’s psyche. He’s not the most open guy in the world, but we see that he was trying to move beyond her by seeing other women and going on mountain-climbing adventures.
It’s all a very nice symmetry to their relationship when she tells him about her nightmare, he doesn’t go on the trip, and they end up on her front steps laughing and being friends again. They’re sort of perfect for each other.
I loved seeing Nico drink shots of tequila with the sexist pig, and also the look on Griffin’s face as he watches her work her magic. This storyline could have easily ended with Nico feeling hurt over having to deal with yet another guy who doesn’t get that women can be powerful and successful. But it didn’t. And there’s the added benefit of Nico and Griffin sharing similar stories about being underestimated because of their race/gender.
Oh, Wendy! She’s got the most understanding, compassionate husband in the world in Shane, and yet you could see where things were headed with the soccer-dad. Did she kind of encourage it? Sort of, especially when they’re both laying back on the couch drinking wine. I’m not surprised that he misconstrued where things were headed. And maybe she unconsciously wanted it — because she told the girls later that she didn’t hate the kiss. It’s complicated.
And, again with the unexpected, real-life storyline, I can totally see Wendy telling Sal that she’s very happy for him, that she’s fine with him getting her old job. It’s all so convincing, and then she goes into the bathroom and has a mini-anxiety attack. That seems like the way a real person might react in that situation. I still think she should move forward with her own production company, even without Sal.
I love the friendships of these women, and the fact that they can call each other 24/7, and they’ll be there to help and support each other.
Lipstick Jungle is moving to a new time-slot, with the next episode airing Friday, 10/31, at 10 pm. I’m not sure that will bode well for this series, since it’s already struggling a bit. But we’ll see how it goes.
Your thoughts?