Jules & Tom and Jonah & Steph – The show begins with Tom (Patrick Brammall) and Jules (Sibylla Budd) discussing Classic Coast FM. Tom says music from the last 22 years is no longer being played. She asks if he’s all right. He says it’s just a hangover. She assures him it will be fun.

Jonah (Stephen Curry) assures Steph (Harriet Dryer) that Tom and Jules will be okay with the small space. After sniffing the bed linen and armpit, she asks if she smells. He jokingly says a bit while kissing her neck. She tells him to stop until her next ovulation. As he starts to walk away, she demands he not go masturbate.

Jules and Tom arrive only to realize Steph and Jonah were already there. Tom reminds her that they get the master bedroom this year. They agree everything will be okay before heading inside.

After the two couples greet, Jonah asks if they can take the master bedroom to make bathing easy for Molly (Evelyn Pell). Tom asks if Molly was bathed in the sink last year. Steph tells him that Molly isn’t going to fit in the sit at 27 months old. Jules assures them it’s okay. Jonah and Steph offer to move things around to give them the master bedroom. Tom and Jules assure them that it doesn’t matter. Jonah jokingly says smaller space means fewer things to bump into during a hangover. As they head to their bedroom, Steph asks them to not wear shoes indoors because Molly licks the floor.

Once inside the bedroom, Tom and Jules vent their frustrations. She describes the bed as “uncomfortable.” He says he isn’t sure how they will do it. She reminds him of Tom being his bed friend. He tells her that both Steph and Jonah have lost their minds. She suggests a swim and a drink. He agrees.

Steph tells him that Tom and Jules hate their bedroom  Jonah sarcastically says “Fu** ‘em” for wanting them to give Molly a bath in the sink. She suggests it would’ve been better to leave Molly. He assures her that Molly would return home with diabetes. When she tells him that she’s going to ask them if they want their bedroom, he pleads with her to not do it. He promises to ease the tension with Kenny Rogers and beer.

Tom suggests they all go for a swim. Steph says Molly’s asleep. He asks if she’ll sleep while they go for a quick swim. Jonah says, “No” before agreeing to start dinner. Tom reminds him it’s just 3:30pm. Steph tells them dinner will be around 5:30pm. When Jules says they can go swimming after dinner, Steph tells them to go before offering them to give Molly a bath.

At dinner, Jules asks if Molly would be happier watching TV. Steph tells her that Molly really enjoys Bluey. Jonah says they are considering another baby after moving into their new house. They continue to discuss why they want another baby.

They went to the beach, had dinner, and played cards.

Molly hits Steph’s cheek. After reminding her of what they said about hitting, she says Molly’s hungry.

Jonah asks Tom how they feel about having children. Tom says it’s probably too late. Jonah suggests they’re missing out. Tom asks what on sleep. Jonah says “love” before explaining how Molly’s hitting is driving them crazy. Tom asks about their disciplinary measures. Jonah assumes it will resolve itself with “peer learning.” Tom asks if he’s saying another child needs to hit Molly. Jonah says it couldn’t be that bad. Tom offers to give her a smack. Surprised, Jonah asks if he’s kidding before declining the offer.

Steph asks Jules about her father. Jules tells her that the radiation treatments failed. Molly interrupts their conversation. Steph asks when his radiation will start. Jules says his cancer has progressed too far for radiation but plans to start chemo.

Tom asks Jonah if he ever talks to Lisa. Jonah tells him that Steph isn’t keen on the idea. Tom tries to continue the conversation, but Jonah quickly switches the subject to the NRL. Tom admits he no longer supports the NRL because of its r**e culture. They continue to discuss soccer. The conversation eventually switches to Tom’s oath to not eat meat. Neither man can remember how long it’s been since their last talk.

Jules turns Bluey down. Steph offers to turn the volume up. Jules admits to turning it down to read. Molly takes off as Steph asks if there’s a problem. Jules says she just wanted to read there because their bedroom is “sh**.”  Steph asks if she’s upset because Molly has the master bedroom. Jules acknowledges she is upset before asking if she’d consider headphones for Molly. Steph says headphones aren’t good for children Molly’s age. Jonah returns home to find Molly with a butcher knife. Irate, Steph scolds Jules for not doing as she asked. Tom suggests everyone calm down. Jules tells him that Molly has run of the house. When Tom agrees with her, Steph asks if they should hit her. Tom asks Jonah if he messaged her. Jonah accuses him of threatening to hit Molly.

The argument transitions from Molly to Tom and Jules missing their wedding. Jules accuses her of posting everything on social media. Steph denies posting all weekend. Jules tells her that she even made Molly a social media account. Jonah asks why they unfollowed Molly. Tom says it’s unlikely Molly knows the difference between community and Instagram followers. Steph assures them that they haven’t a clue what spending so much time with a “tyrant” that constantly hits. Tom suggests Molly needs more boundaries. Steph tells them that she refuses to take advice from childless people. Jules accuses her of judging them for being childless.

Tom goes on a tirade about the world disappearing in 50 years. Tom and Jules assure them that they love Molly but don’t want their own. Jules recommends no more summers together. Steph asks if they enjoyed summers better with Lisa. Tom says, “No.” Jonah asks who’s to blame.

Jules and Tom say they are leaving. Jonah offers to wake Molly before they leave. They all say goodbye. Tom promises to contact them when they arrive home. Jonah suggests it isn’t necessary. The couples go their own separate ways.

 

Summer Love Review

A lackluster script filled with boring conversations prolonged for no reason. They spend what seems like forever discussing uninteresting topics like Molly’s bath, the master bedroom, and the deck. Why the friends continue to meet every summer is questionable. They have become estranged since Molly’s birth with fewer things in common.

Jonah and Steph are selfish, only thinking of themselves and Molly. Tom and Jules are relenting at every turn while hoping to survive their summer vacation.

I won’t describe the show as awful, but it does lack spirit. The jokes fall flat at every attempt. The full-fledged climate change argument was pathetic. Tossing in a social issue during a verbal dispute about having children doesn’t work. There is a better time and place to discuss the NRL ra** culture. People watch movies to escape real world problems.

Patrick Brammall is a standout comedial actor. I’m not familiar with the other actors but they did well for what they had to work with.

Please explain the title!

The episode deserves a 5. Get more Summer Love recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.