Welcome to The A.V. Club’s Transparent binge-watch. From Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13, A.V. Club contributor Shelby Fero will be watching and reviewing every episode of Transparent’s second season. Though she’s working straight through the season, she’ll be taking some breaks, too, posting three reviews on Friday, four reviews on Saturday, and three reviews on Sunday. You can weigh in on this episode here, discuss the whole season on our binge-watching hub page, and track her Pfefferman-addled mindset on Twitter (@shelbyfero).
Whether asked or left unsaid, no one can find an answer to their questions. At the doctor’s office, Maura’s thrown by a series of questions regarding the technicalities of her transition: Does she want breasts? Gender reassignment surgery? Does she top or bottom during sex? Overwhelmed, she asks for time, to which her doctor gently suggests that she should “get to know her body.” But it’s not only a new body that Maura must become acquainted with, it’s a whole new everything. At 70-something years old, she has to learn how to interact with people as her new self for the first time. Watching her try to flirt—or maybe just make a new, platonic girlfriend—with a stranger at the bar, feels like watching a nervous tween navigate the turbulent social waters of a middle school dance. Juxtaposed with the calm, controlled—albeit contemptuous—relationship she has fallen back into with Shelly (it’s easy to see why they got divorced once upon a time), it’s unclear which is worse at the moment. But, unlike in her relationship with Shelly, discovering who she is as Maura has the potential for a new growth and fulfillment. Honestly, though, it’s so much work—work that no one in their 70s should be forced to undertake, and I don’t fault Maura for trying to stay sheltered in her familiar old patterns, stagnant as they may be.
Raquel and Josh confront the Rita in the room, inviting her over for a very uncomfortable dinner. Raquel’s constantly questioning how much she’s willing to put up with for Josh’s sake, although there’s no clear solution in sight. It’s taxing on Raquel and Josh, but it’s Colton who’s caught directly in the crossfire. He tries so hard, sweet Colton, and it’s a credit to Transparent that the cis, white boy has become the most lovable character so far (did you see Colton and Josh splashing in those waves?! I gurgled in delight like a baby duck in a pond!)
Ali continues to pull the mysterious Weimar thread, visiting her maternal grandmother and picking up on a name from the past, leading us into another flashback. So far these have been the weakest part of the show. Not weak on their own, necessarily, but somewhat distracting from the rest of the show. Hari Nef gives a great line read on the homage joke, and hopefully she’ll be better-served as the season continues.