God Friended Me Season 2 Episode 8 Review: The Last Grenelle
Lizzy Buczak
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And the plot thickens on God Friended Me Season 2 Episode 8.
Cara and Miles pursued the God Account's lead from "The Path" painting and found something they weren't expecting -- another person who has dealt with the God Account.
We've never stopped to consider that someone else had the same responsibilities before Miles.
Gideon Moore, a teacher, told Miles he walked away from the God Account after falling in love because the God Account told him he'd have to sacrifice everything to walk the path.
He also believes that God is behind the account and grooming Miles as his next prophet.
Gideon: How are we going to find Audrey?
Miles: I take it you didn't have a Rakesh, did you?
While all of that is still speculation, we know that the God Account never does anything without a reason, and everything leading up to that moment was predetermined.
Miles' trip to Paris, tracking down Audrey Grenelle, and finding Gideon were all connected.
Revealing that connection really amplified the episode.
For the last few episodes, Grenelle's role in the mystery was questioned.
Why her?
Well, she was Gideon's last friend suggestion who still needed help.
Five years ago, Gideon walked away from the God Account without helping his last friend suggestion, Audrey. Yes, Grenelle.
He had unfinished business, which is why the God Account wasn't letting Gideon off the hook just yet.
Grenelle never made peace with not being by her father's side when he died, and she blamed Madeline, her former professor-turned-father's-wife, who Audrey believes broke up her family.
With Gideon and Miles' help, Audrey not only reconnected with Madeline, but also learned that she has a step-brother who inherited her father's painting talents.
Audrey came out of it with a family and a way to ensure her father's legacy lived on.
If she hadn't trusted Miles and the God Account, she would have still been living with that guilt.
It was a deeply moving hour that proved the importance of Miles' work.
He pushes people to be better, have hope, and forgive, even when they're against it and adamant that they don't need it.
As Gideon told him, "the world needs" him.
Audrey: I appreciate what you are trying to do, but talking to Madeline isn't going to bring my father back.
Miles: No, but if you can make peace with her then you'll be able to remember him with love and not regret. And that's a powerful thing.
Audrey: You want me to trust the God Account, is that it?
Miles: No, Audrey, I want you to trust me.
But is Miles ready to become the prophet that the God Account needs?
Is he willing to make the necessary sacrifices? Is he willing to give up his relationship with Cara?
Who knows. But the question really should be, does Miles have to?
Miles loves the work that he does and thoroughly enjoys helping people, but he loves it mainly because he's not doing it alone.
He has Cara to help him, Rakesh to hack stuff for him, and his father to guide him. It's a team effort; it's brought all of them closer together.
I'd even say it's the reason Miles is so successful; there's power in numbers.
Miles: I don't believe in God.
Gideon: You say that like it matters. I know how it sounds. But, like it or not, you've been chosen?
Miles: Chosen for what?
Gideon: What else does God choose people for? To be a prophet.
Cara: Wait, a prophet like beard, and long flowing robes, destined to change the world kind of thing?
If it wasn't for his friends and family, Miles would have never gotten so far.
Why would the God Account want Miles to turn his back on all of that and walk a path alone?
Gideon didn't have any support from loved ones, and it was clear that it played heavily into why the role felt daunting at times.
Miles finds himself at a crossroad now, the same crossroad his father found himself during God Friended Me Season 2 Episode 6.
Does he pick the God Account or love?
When his father chose to become a Bishop, Miles assured him he'd never pick his faith over love, but now that he's got to make the choice, he'll see that the answers aren't so black-and-white.
And what's to say there are no other prophets?
If there was someone before Miles, what's to say there cannot be someone after him? Or even before Gideon?
There could be others just like Miles, which opens up a world of possibilities in storytelling.
The theme of the episode focused on trust and put into perspective how important trusting someone is in any relationship be it romantic or platonic.
Miles and Gideon asked Audrey to trust them and make amends with Madeline.
Jaya asked Rakesh to trust her about continuing to fake their relationship.
And Arthur asked Trish to trust that he'd find a way to balance his priorities with the church and their relationship.
Trish was skeptical, but Miles interjected and pointed out that she never even gave Arthur a chance to prove himself.
He was willing to give it a try, but Trish kept shutting him down because she already made up her mind that it wouldn't.
That wasn't fair. If Arthur fails to make good on his promise and Trish feels like the balance in the relationship is off and wants to leave, that's her prerogative, but if she loves him like she says she does, she needs to at least try to make it work.
Trish came around and was there for Arthur's swearing-in ceremony, which was a good first step. Even if she doesn't fully agree with his choice, it's the biggest moment in his life and her support was comforting.
It was also nice to see Ali excited for Arthur while they were doing the walk-through.
When Arthur initially accepted the position as Bishop, nobody seemed happy for him. Instead, everyone condemned him for prioritizing his faith.
It's about time his big career move gets celebrated.
Meanwhile, things for Rakesh and Jaya aren't looking good.
Rakesh didn't trust Jaya, and his desire to be with her got the best of him as he proposed at her surprise party.
Trish: And the other part feels like when he agreed to become Bishop, he made his choice. He chose the church over us, over the plans we had for our life.
Miles: I understand that. But how can you walk away before you really now? If dad believes he can find that balance, doesn't he deserve the chance to prove that to you? Prove it to himself?
There was a hint of romance because Rakesh believed it was the right thing to do, but the proposal didn't happen for the right reasons.
Rakesh didn't want to be in the background, and so he decided to make things official, even though both of them previously agreed that it's not what they wanted.
If Jaya accepted, they'd be entering into an engagement for all the wrong reasons.
All of it made Jaya realize that she was being selfish by asking Rakesh to lie about their relationship.
It was big moment for her because she's right, Rakesh does deserve better.
And if she cannot give that to him because of personal reasons, that's fine.
But I wish that his grand gesture proved how much he loved her and motivated her to stand up to her parents instead.
If you watch God Friended Me online, you know that Jaya would rather throw away a good and loving man than tell her parents that it is 2019, and they'l be dating until they are ready to get married.
Her parents might have an old school mentality and adhere to tradition, but maybe she's not giving them enough credit.
It's possible they'll hear her out and accept that her journey in life doesn't align with theirs.
I'd like to say that I see Rakesh and Jaya getting back together, but I doubt that's going to happen anytime soon.
Cara: This is the part where you go inside and slam the door in our face.
Gideon: No. I know you're telling the truth.
Miles: How?
Gideon: Because seven years ago I was friended by the God Account.
What did you think of "The Last Grenelle," TV Fanatics?
Did Jaya make the right choice?
Will the God Account make Miles choose between helping people and being with Cara?
Will Trish stick around?
Lizzy Buczak was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in June 2021..
