Pamela Adlon has really hit her stride. This show is so beautifully conceived. The writing, acting, cinematography, and use of music are all perfect in this episode. REM's Nightswimming is a beautiful song and it made me cry when used in this phenomenal season finale. This really is one of the best shows on TV. I hope this pandemic shutdown ends soon for many reasons, but waiting for Season 5 of this wonderful series is one. Enjoy!
3 Reviews
Genius
dfloro1 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Pamela Adlon introduced this episode on FX, saying it was a kind of love note to her hometown of Los Angeles. But it is more than that. Just as most episodes of this show are, it's a love letter to her frustratingly beloved daughters, her extended family members, and an assemblage of age-appropriate friends. And you could (and should) also consider it an expression of love to/for her fans and fans of the show. And when Michael Stipe's voice singing "Night Swimming" plays over a shot of the gifted young women playing the daughters, at the beach and clearly with tears in their eyes (perhaps the show's finale? 😢) and they look back through the "fourth wall" at US, the audience-Genius. So that is my rating (the only 10/10, 100%, "perfect" one I've EVER given out)-A work of Genius is this episode, a work of Genius is the whole 4-season series, as written/directed and co-created by Pamela Adlon, and Genius is the only term for the person herself. I just have two more words: Thank You.
10/10
sapien-sap10 May 2020
I binged Better Things season four throughout the quarantine and this finale is a wholesome end to a fresh season of new experiences. This episode taps the most emotion and the most feeling of any. Pamela does a fantastic job of incorporating music with images for a sweet melancholic ending. I'm already excited to see how this family moves onto better things - pun intended - next season.
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