The story begins with Gary (Josh Gad) is having a meal with Charlotte (Emily Barclay). She can’t understand why he isn’t upset. He believes she has reasons and isn’t going to force her to do anything. She says he has never opened up to her. He has a daughter, Emma (Ariel Joy Donoghue), and is finding it difficult to start dating again. Emma is having panic attacks. He ignores her offer to talk to Emma. She rates him a “3” and herself, a “9” and angrily stomps away.

Gary is preparing a sandwich for Emma who is writing on cards in her bedroom. She yells at him for knocking and entering, without her approval. When she comes outside, she is carrying a planet model. She complains about being late and suggests he get in the right lane and drive. When he hesitates, she raises her voice, “Start moving.” He pulls up and enters the right lane. Frustrated, she repeatedly flips the window button and gives a homeless man (Josh Quong Tart) her sandwich. He scolds her for interacting acting with the homeless. She describes the man as “harmless.” Their car is hit as it enters a busy intersection.

Gary jumps out of the car to retrieve Emma’s stuffed wolf to calm her anxiety attack. By the time he reaches her, a female passerby, Mary (Isla Fisher) has her smiling. Gary asks how she got Emma to calm down. The homeless man says she hit your car.

 

 

 

Mary stands on the sidewalk in front of Gary’s house, with Carl Sagan’s “Contact.” She carefully approaches the house and knocks on the door. When Emma answers the door, Mary is shocked by her neck brace. Emma explains it is to protect her neck and limit movement. Gary enters the conversation. Their address was on the insurance form. She apologizes and gives her the book that she read at her age. Emma snarky says you don’t know my age. She guesses between 11 and 12. Emma takes the book and walks away, without apologizing. Mary apologizes for coming and hurriedly walks away, with Gary in tow. He yells across the street to ask her name and invite her in for a cup of tea.

She looks around while Gary prepares tea. A picture of Emma and her mother, Lisa draws Mary’s attention. He tells her Emma’s mother died of cancer. She warns him, “Contact” is about a young girl who lives with her father after the death of her mother. He cuts his hand on broken glass. She runs into Emma while gathering supplies to bandage Gary’s laceration. Emma questions her about a she made at the accident scene. Mary told Emma she knew where she was because she has been there. Emma watches as Mary treats Gary’s wound.

Gary and Mary have lunch on the porch. He questions why she came there. Something about Emma drew her to their home. He corrects her, saying he was talking about Australia. She came to Adelaide from Chicago for a change.  She provides relationship advice and volunteers at local charities. Gary and Lisa moved to Australia when she was pregnant. He opted to stay there after her death to avoid taking Emma about from Lisa’s family. Emma peeps out the window just in time for Mary to catch her.  She knocks something over while trying to get away. Mary slams her mug on the floor, causing Gary to squirm. When Gary comes back with a towel, Mary is gone. Gary catches up with her to ask if she is okay. She felt uncomfortable about giving Emma an inappropriate book and breaking his mug. She laughs when he says I plan on suing you. He has been struggling to deal with Emma’s issues. The way she handled Emma after the crash was something he couldn’t do. She refuses his offer to dinner but agrees to lunch.

Gary meets Mary for lunch. She stands at the door of an Italian restaurant, as Gary greets Gianni. As he turns around, she is headed down the sidewalk. She claims to have Italian food allergies. They visit a local bar instead. She contributes Melody Gardot’s beautiful voice to a car accident. He stopped listening to music because Emma was a difficult baby. His singing put her to sleep when nothing else could. He hasn’t sung a song since Emma was little and refuses to sing.

She asks if him singing again is why they are in the bar. When the music stops, she believes it is a sign for him to sing again. He sings as she covers her face. She admiringly watches as he sings. His, trying to be perfect for Emma is not working. She suggests running toward imperfection, dancing, singing, and laughing. It is something she just made up. He says Emma has surrounded herself by a fortress to avoid being hurt. It scares him sometimes. She says your being present is everything for Emma. She comforts Gary as he emotionally breaks down.

He is not going to sue her now. She refers to her life as a mess. He gently pushes her hair back and tries to kiss her. She is confused about the restaurant’s song selection. She trips out when he tells her it is after 6. He watches her scurry away from the restaurant. In a narration, she claims to have been alone for a long time and can’t tell anyone her true identity. She says don’t stop believing in yourself and be kind to yourself. Run toward the light instead of running away from yourself. She runs all the way home, where she haphazardly removes her clothes and locks herself behind a steel door as the episode comes to an end.

 

Wolf Like Me Review

A show with plenty of charm. While the plot is predictable, it is quite enjoyable. The acting is spot-on, as well as the camerawork.

There are not many TV series suitable for young children. So far, this is ideal for adolescents and children.

There is not a lot going on, but the show will still hold your attention throughout the episode. The episode deserves a 6.5.

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