She Did What? – Episode 2 begins with Emmaline “Emmy” Talia Shapiro (Lauren Collins) dreaming of an evening she and her mother, Fern Shapiro (Megan Follows), spent lounging together in bed before the cancer took over. It’s only seconds later when she is woken by the alarm clock to find Fern watching her sleep. Fern teasingly nags at her while she goes about her regular routines and does much of the same when Jay (Rainbow Sun Francks) returns from his morning run.
This continues all the way to work and is only briefly interrupted when Michal (Sharjil Rasool) stops by Emmy’s office to deliver the constructive dismissal memo. Later that day, a lack-luster performance review with Ryan (Naomi Snieckus) leads to an eye-opening revelation for Emmy. According to Ryan, Emmy couldn’t be doing better when it comes to actual work. She, however, is lacking in the social department and doesn’t attend any of the firm’s functions. Emmy blames her social inadequacies on working but Ryan tells her that she’ll never make partner if she doesn’t learn how to mingle. Although Emmy learns that she’ll have the opportunity to change this at tonight’s black tie event, she panics due to the realization that she might have only been pursuing becoming a partner because she thought it might be what Fern wanted for now.
Terrified by the fact that she might not even want to be a partner at the firm, Emmy visits Larry (Brandon Ash Mohammed) to request a leave of absence for Fern’s death. Being that it’s been nearly 3 years the request is denied, but Larry happens to notice that Emmy has accrued enough vacation time for three weeks off.
By the time Jay returns home that evening, Emmy has begun her vacation with a long soak in the tub. She confides in him about the vacation and possibly not wanting to be a lawyer anymore but he only adds to her frustration by offering to take some time off as well and then by his simplistic outlook on life. Despite this, he does give her a good idea by mentioning the Jewish tradition of throwing away bad memories, Tashlich. Minutes later, she’s in the park throwing breadcrumbs to the ducks while casting out memories of her mother. Although the act appears to be working, an Officer (Nigel Downer) attempts to write her a ticket for feeding the birds but she runs off.
This is practically where the episode ends.
My Dead Mom Review
I wouldn’t say the episode was terrible but it certainly wasn’t great. At least it clearly identified a main plot and set the stage for the rest of the story. I’m not too upset about the new confrontation with her career. I’d like to see where this leads and what Emmy’s passion in life really is. I also appreciated the fact that she frustrated Fern enough to walk out on her.
Things might have been a bit better if Jude and Cole made an appearance. Ryan definitely wasn’t an addition to the story and let’s hope we’ve seen the last of her. I also find Jay’s constant acquiescence frustrating. I’d give the episode a 5.5 out of 10.
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