The grief explorative Somebody Somewhere returned for season two and took us on another important journey in life: relationships. We saw some of the ups and downs last season, but now we delve deeper into letting people in and what it means to truly be vulnerable. It isn’t easy, but with the right person, it’s completely worth it. But can we let our guard down and what will happen if we do?
Episode #1 – NNP
We come back to Sam (Bridget Everett) and Joel (Jeff Hiller) and they’ve eased into a routine together. Joel occasionally rents out his house AirBnB-sytle so he’s taken to even staying on her couch. But they’ve clearly settled into this comfortable life together in a platonic, besties type of way. Which on its own is pretty cute, but you have to wonder where the boundaries are. At what point will this no longer suit them and when a line gets crossed, what is that going to do to them? NNP? NO NEW PEOPLE!
Meanwhile, Sam’s dad (Mike Hagerty) is away taking care of himself after the events of last season. Tragically, we lost Mr. Hagerty in 2022, so we won’t be able to see him on screen again but I love that they’re continuing to give his character a good storyline. I would imagine next season, it might be more addressed, but for now, I appreciate that after taking care of his alcoholic wife (Jane Brody), his character is getting the rest and relaxation he deserves. Rest easy, Mr. Hagerty. We miss you.
Tricia (Mary Catherine Garrison) is up shit creek without a paddle. Marriage is over, business is over, and best friend and husband both suck ass. Poor thing. I do appreciate seeing her try to build more of a relationship with Sam and that becomes a fun development over the season as the two repair their bonds in the midst of grief over their sister.
Episode #2 – #2
Fred (Murray Hill) is one of my favorite characters and truly, a Fred hug would fix me for life. A charming, kind soul, Fred loves the people around him and creating this found family. Which is a big thing for me. I don’t have the best relationships with my family, so I’ve often found my friendships around me the family I need most. But Fred’s got a bombshell to drop and isn’t she a bombshell!! Engaged?! Ring the wedding bells! He wants the people he loves to be part of the big day, but both Sam and Joel are feeling the nerves.
Sam’s now on the no-fly list for visiting mom, and Tricia can’t help but be jealous. And this whole thing hit harder than I expected. Alcoholism takes such a toll on families. That’s how I lost my father. Watching alcohol or lack of access to alcohol turn the ones you love most into the meanest, nastiest version of themselves is hard. In Mary Jo’s case, she not only was an alcoholic but had a medical event. So for Sam and Tricia, it’s wondering if they’ll ever have their mom back. Sadly, I think we all know the answer.
But on a positive note, Sam reconnects with her old voice teacher (Barbara Robertson). Someone who she felt believed in her, but also challenged her. It’s amazing how someone else’s words can live in our heads, either positively or negatively.
Episode #3 – SLS
Sam wants to dip her toes back into the voice lessons. She needs to do it with gusto like Saint Louis Sushi (Tim Bagley). I love this man. He’s such a fantastic bit actor. Whenever he shows up, I know I’m going to be dying of laughter. And he does not disappoint here in this season. He and Joel might have the start of a little something-something. And so does Trish with her Trish Upon A Star business idea. As someone who started her own small business and wants to make that her life, I’m Tricia’s biggest fan. If she has one fan, it’s me. If she has no fans, I’ve clearly died. I want that c*nt pillow IRL, does anyone have a link? But really, right now, everyone needs to let go. Sam especially if she wants to have a breakthrough and make the song for the wedding happen.
Episode #4 – Keys Phone Cash ID
Mary Jo needs to be moved. She’s too much for staff and needs to get her meds adjusted. Big growth moment for both sisters in this whole ordeal. Tricia doesn’t want to pussyfoot and just tells Mom straight and I clapped so hard. She’s starting to stand up for herself and it’s about damn time, lady! And Sam finally has her own moment with her Mom of not being nasty but just acknowledging the truth. She drove away the one person who found her tolerable. She told him to go. So, unsurprisingly, he went. And he’s been happier than he’s been in a long time…wonder why…
Joel is stuck between a rock and God…or a rock and a God place? He’s struggling with faith and friendship and love. He’s going to give the ceremony at Fred’s wedding and finding it hard to navigate. Fred gives a nice reality check, aka it’s not about you it’s about us and getting married. But Joel’s on his own path now and one has to wonder if that will deviate from Sam’s path…
Meanwhile, the mom trip has been a good time for Sam and Tricia to bond and enjoy some time together. Sisters don’t always have to fight and hate each other, you know? They even decide to let Fred use the barn for the wedding. Such a lovely gesture for the couple and something Papa Ed would want.
Episode #5 – NMB NMP
Fred’s found family is all in for the wedding, even meeting up to get color-coordinated jackets. Having people who love you like that is so special. Do you know who Tricia’s around? Charity’s (Heidi Johanningmeier) lying ass. Well, the lies more so than Charity herself. But the dirty liar couldn’t go around being honest about why the business with her bestie went under so of course Heidi’s going to say shit about Tricia. Poor Trish. She accidentally lets something slip with Sam and now of course all the goodwill is gone. Sam shuts people out. It’s easier to protect herself. “This is why you’re always alone.” “Well, we’re both alone.” Sad reality for Tricia since her daughter is now at college and her husband is gone. But she’s already had the sad betrayal. Sam’s about to have hers in the shape of a nylon windbreaker.
Episode #6 – Manhappiness
Unshockingly after not revealing his new paramour, Sam is on the outs with Joel. Self-protection, yadda-yadda-yadda. You know, Sam, it’s gonna be a pretty lonely life if you do this shit forever. Fred’s trying. He knows he can’t magically solve it all, but ice cream dates help. But before he can get Sam there, she needs to help Tricia. She’s drowning in C U N Tuesday pillows. She took Sam’s ideas and ran with it and boy howdy, it ran. People like c*nt pillows, what can I say?!
Even more surprising than c*nt pillows is Joel’s ambush. I appreciate that Saint Louis Sushi helped provide some perspective for him and really look at his own actions in the situation. While you do want to make amends, sending your step count is not the way to do it. I don’t really suggest ambushing when the person is with a third party. Especially Fred. Poor Fred. Suddenly caught up and trying to be like, “I DIDN’T PLAN THIS!” When that’s exactly what it looks like. But small conversations start and that’s all we need to turn this train around. For Sam, there’s one more stop in Grief Town.
Episode #7 – To Ed
Her voice teacher has died. She’s on the outs with her best friend. Things aren’t exactly looking great for Sam right now. But much like my own experience, funerals are a great place to patch things up with people. Once everything is right with Joel, it’s wedding time! The purple wardrobe with the yellow sunflowers were utterly perfect. Then Sam made me cry. I mean, Ave Maria always makes me cry (Thanks, Catholicism) but then Joel delivers on the perfect ceremony and whew, it was all too good. Smooches and it’s off to the barn for the reception!
A tribute to Ed, Fred’s best friend who couldn’t be there. But really, the perfect tribute to the loss of Mike Hagerty, who will always live in my mind as the legendary BFF in Overboard. Tricia nails the décor and details, proving she’s on her way again. Sam might have nailed Ave Maria but she’s not done yet. She has a little surprise for her best friend. I thought it was a really great gesture for Sam. To let Joel know, she’s not going anywhere and they’ll figure it all out together. Friends do that. Family does that. But maybe let’s not throw any more shoes, Sam.
Happily, Somebody Somewhere has been announced for a third season so we’ll be back with Sam and Joel at some point in the hopefully not-too-distant future. The loss of Mike Hagerty means a question mark for the character again. Will they follow up here and keep the character alive but off-screen? They could potentially recast. Or they cease the character on the show with a death or some other write-off. Whatever they should choose, I’ll be waiting patiently humming Gloria to myself.
