A Million Little Things Season 1 Episode 16 Review: The Rosary
Jasmine Blu
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I know this is a soapy drama, and it was so much soap, and drama, and tears, and heartwarming moments.
However, the one thing that perplexed me on A Million Little Things Season 1 Episode 16 was how Sophie could let Mrs. Nelson/Emma/Barbara Morgan into the Dixon home, the woman could disappear after seeing Gary, and no one followed up on that.
Wouldn't a million red flags go up? Wouldn't you at least ask a few questions? Also, that type of recklessness you expect from a child, not a teenager!
As expected by now, the Barbara Morgan mystery opened and closed the hour with that creepy opening ripped from a Lifetime movie, and that unsurprising reveal that Jon and Barbara probably knew each other back in college.
A slow clap for the series managing to drag this mystery out at a glacial level for 16 episodes while still keeping many fans invested. If that reads as sarcastic, it's unintentional as it is an impressive feat.
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We don't know why Barbara Morgan is stalking the Dixon family. We don't know what her motivations are, or how she knows Jon, and why she's risking it all like this against the advice of her husband.
What is this woman's gameplan? What would have happened if Delilah showed up alone? Would she have stayed and spoken to her?
I can't begin to figure out what she's angling for, but she had the letter that Jon sent her in her hand when she was wandering around the foyer and studying the photos and mail at the Dixon home.
What are your working theories about her? They knew each other in college. Could she and Jon have a child together and that's why it was so important that we heard the voice of a boy in the background?
Are Jon's regrets and his focus on a wine bottle suggesting that an accident of some sort happened? What gives?
Am I the only one worried that we still may not find out the whole truth during the finale?! I love this series, but I don't trust it not to leave us with a hell of a cliffhanger.
Fortunately, at least for now, Maggie is alive and well. I don't trust that we're out of the woods with that either. She and Gary were too damn happy by the end of the hour. Did anyone else smile like an idiot when he asked her to move in with him, and she agreed?!
Gary was a mess on her surgery day, but as usual, he was trying to be upbeat and positive for her.
He's so doting, caring, and supportive that it's starting to not make sense why his friends always joke about him being a self-centered lothario. The man was jogging by a gurney with a cup of ice chips and ready to snag the moon from the sky and present it to Maggie if she asked for it.
Gary's inner turmoil and jumbled up feelings always come out in subtler ways. For one, he has taken to wearing the hate Jon gave him during chemo a lot. Also, his meltdown on Maggie's mother Patricia in the parking lot was damn epic.
She was wrong for taking his spot though, and it was a hilarious exchange. It wasn't the best of first impressions, but could Patricia be in a position to judge Gary harshly when he has taken care of her sick daughter for all of these months?
Patricia: It wasn't until Maggie got sick that I found my way back to God. I guess it's true what they say. There are no atheists in a foxhole.
Gary: Hm.
Patricia: I can't lose another child.
It wouldn't have killed her to own up to her actions and let it go without all the snark. She was Maggie's mom though; they have the same sense of humor and attitude.
The rush of concern, when they heard about the transfusion, brought the two of them closer together. By the time they shared their moment in the chapel together, Gary and Patricia were on better terms.
That scene was one of the most emotional of the hour. It was sad when Patricia broke down. She couldn't bear the thought of losing another child -- the only one remaining.
The two of them bonding over their complicated relationship with faith and God was a nice touch for an installment where rosaries were of importance. It isn't until Gary has brief moments where he opens up a tiny bit with someone that you realize how little we know about him and his background.
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How does someone who has so much screentime and who reels you in the most remain so enigmatic? It's probably due to never meeting anyone from his past or any of his family. Think about it, every close tie to Gary is someone in their group of friends.
It's something that stands out and makes his obsession with this group make some sense.
I think he's right to be apprehensive about Andrew. It's not that Andrew is openly doing anything that sends up red flags, but there is a general vibe that does seem like he may have ulterior motives.
Delilah is blind to it, and she's already so smitten with him. She's charmed by him, and that's fine and well, but why can't this woman pay attention to the people around her at all? It seems like the only person she's ever perceptive with is Gary.
Regina is feeling excluded from a restaurant that she hoped would be her own. To her, it's a repeat of what happened the last time she had a restaurant.
Andrew is an esteemed restauranteur. His reputation and his money have perks, but everyone associates him with the restaurant and not Regina and Delilah.
Regina is being dismissed as just the chef, and he's getting the praise and accolades as though he's the only reason the restaurant is a success. Regina's anger was understandable.
It wouldn't be surprising if Andrew had something to do with the patrons showering her with praise. It's not that she didn't deserve any of it. We know the patrons loved her food from the restaurant's opening, but Andrew has picked up that Regina is not pleased with his micromanaging and input.
Delilah doesn't see any of this. Typical. She also kept putting her foot in her mouth by saying the wrong thing to Regina.
Rome knows how important some positive feedback and reinforcement is. He completed his script and was thrilled about the accomplishment but hesitant about sharing it with others.
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It made no sense at all that he lost the damn thing in the waiting room, but it was easy to overlook that when it brought him to PJ. Zimmer, Winokur, Tupper, De Matteo, Melora Hardin, and Chandler Riggs. This show has the best guest stars!
The Walking Dead's Chandler Riggs made his first appearance on television since leaving the zombie series, and despite his brief appearance, his scenes were powerful.
PJ's response to Rome's script is what makes fiction, art, and media so important. He was able to reach the young man with his experiences and writing, and it made PJ feel understood and less alone. That's the most valuable validation that he could ever receive.
Rome needed that, and PJ needed it too.
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Rome is inspired to help those like himself with the suicide hotline. It's moving, and I want that for him; however, it doesn't feel like he's spent enough time working on himself to be in that position to help others yet.
Doesn't it feel too early?
That can't be the last of PJ, right? Their interaction was poignant but innocent enough. Hopefully, there is more to it than that.
What if he's connected to Barbara Morgan somehow? That can't be the last of Riggs!
It also doesn't appear to be the last of Katherine and Eddie. They signed those divorce papers, but there was some reluctance on both ends. They aren't ready to let go of one another yet.
Operator: National Suicide Hotline.
Rome: Yeah, I'm not calling for help. I'm calling to see how I can volunteer.
Eddie has noticed that they're getting along better than ever. They both seem happier, and you can't deny that the two of them have been lighting up when they speak to each other now.
There is still a spark and real chemistry there, but I don't know if they should rekindle things.
Katherine has done a remarkable job acknowledging how she contributed to their marriage falling apart. Frankly, I still don't think she has anything to apologize for, but at this rate, she has long since proven that contrary to any first impressions, she's all class and grace.
She's a real class act. Eddie appreciated her complimenting and supporting him, and it looks like he's back on the Katherine train.
There are many reasons the two of them reconnecting may get a mixed response, but the biggest issue right now is that he hasn't told her the truth about Delilah's pregnancy.
If they consider getting back together or at least toy with the idea, they can't start this new phase of their relationship with such a corrosive lie. The truth is going to come out at some point.
Katherine: I needed to feel noticed. I guess we both did.
Eddie: Katherine, you are amazing in every single way, and I am sorry that I didn't tell you more.
It's going to disrupt this new sense of peace and harmony when that happens.
It's too bad. While I still don't know how to feel about the lingering feelings between Katherine and Eddie, their scenes together and their co-parenting and finding a way to be friends with one another are quite enjoyable.
Over to you, Million Fanatics! There is only one installment remaining in the season. How do you feel about that? What do you hope to see?
Do you think Andrew is trustworthy or has ulterior motives? What is going on with Barbara Morgan? Do you think PJ will have a larger role than his chance encounter with Rome?
Hit the comments below!
You can watch A Million Little Things online here via TV Fanatic!
Jasmine Blu is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. She is an insomniac who spends late nights and early mornings binge-watching way too many shows and binge-drinking way too much tea. Her eclectic taste makes her an unpredictable viewer with an appreciation for complex characters, diverse representation, dynamic duos, compelling stories, and guilty pleasures. You'll definitely find her obsessively live-tweeting, waxing poetic, and chatting up fellow Fanatics and readers. Follow her on X.
