Joan eps tend to fall into one of three categories
1. Joan's assignment has repercussions on the other Girardi plot threads,
often in ways that neither Joan or the other Girardi is directly aware.
2. Joan's assignment doesn't have any direct repercussion on the other
Girardi's plot threads, but a common theme is highlighted by the separate
threads.
3. Joan's assignment and the other Girardi plot threads are separate, and
don't really connect thematically.
'3' is the least interesting of the group, and fortunately the least
common. '1' is the most interesting, but '2' is the most common. This ep
was a '2', although Joan talking with Helen might be viewed as
precipitating Helen's talk with Will (but I think it was going to happen
anyway).
The binding theme was illusion/fantasy versus reality, in regards to love.
Joan/Adam, Helen/Will, and Kevin/FormerSisterLilly all touched on it.
Good things: I mentioned that by this point the student body is likely
very aware of Joan and likely watched her as a sort of street theatre.
This seems to extend to the others also. It is pointed out that there's
really no such thing as discreetness in that kind of school environment.
when Grace is riding Adam about Stevie, he comments "Don't you have an
appointment in the Biology closet?", and later Stevie telling Luke and
Grace they've made the Biology closet famous throughout the school.
Little Girl God gets the 3rd God slot (the one that usually has the
emotional payoff with Joan, either comfort or helping her understand).
I loved that, once the conversation started, Helen and Will cut to the
chase, without any ducking or dodging. Also, it took a half-dozen eps for
Helen and Will to reach the point that Joan and Adam reached in one.
I'm ok with no 'bring down the fiend' closure with Lucyfer, although
something could still happen. That story was never about her, it was
about Will, and with Will drawing the line, standing fast, and talking it
through with Helen, her function was done. The show has never insisted on
wrapping it up in a ****ny bow.
--
"Who needs the big picture? Not me! Hints are fine."
-Joan Girardi
(after God showed her just a little of his omnipresent brain)
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