Jealousy rears its headphones on One Mississippi

Last time on One Mississippi, relationships gained traction and tension, as Bill sought out Felicia (though under the auspices of thanking her for getting him to the hospital); Remy dropped his guard with Desiree; and Kate and Tig both acted on their feelings, only for the former to get cold feet by episode’s end. If the second installment outlined the family’s different directions (and speeds), then “Kiss Me And Smile For Me” wrapped them all up in a bear hug and wished them well. You know, until that lovely musical number was ruined by Kate saying she can’t actually be with Tig.
That record scratch moment was disappointing, but, as Erik’s pointed out, it didn’t feel like the end of Tig and Kate, nor was it intended to be. Even at just six episodes per season, One Mississippi isn’t a sprint, it’s a stroll. As efficiently as its stories are told, it’s not in a rush to cram in a whole lot of plot. The show is the kind of entertaining yarn that some older, genteel Southern woman might spin on her porch while fanning herself and/or sipping a mint julep—that is, if that woman were given to discussing sexual politics, gender and race dynamics, grief, etc. There are colorful characters, courtly men, romantic gestures, setbacks, and a moral or two (though the themes are worked in much more seamlessly after the premiere).
Which is why, once again, Tig doesn’t anguish over the latest development with Kate in “Who Do You Think You Are?” She goes on another date, this time with lovely Sapphic country singer Cassandra Knight (Missi Pyle, who’s already working on her next Random Roles). It’s not bad as far as “obvious temporary speed bumps on the path to love” go; they seem compatible and Cassandra is openly gay. But her disdain for less cosmopolitan lesbians is also on full display, and sends Tig running. Before they fall out, though, their connection in the sound booth is enough to ruffle Kate. Watching Tig hit it off with someone else while talking about openness is enough to make her do some research, i.e., watch The L Word. Kate’s looking for a greater understanding, which she’s more likely to find by just talking to Tig than watching Shane, but maybe she’s also reading Love Wins.
Empathy is everywhere in “Who Do You Think You Are?”, or, at the very least, attempts at it. After being chewed out for not being more welcoming, Tig nabs an autograph for Desiree, who really loves Donkey, Kevin, and Beck’s show. She’s trying, especially after realizing that she’d turned up her nose in a manner not unlike Cassandra’s, and it wasn’t a good look for either of them.