The Last Man on Earth Season 4 Episode 5 Review: La Abuela
Kaitlynn Smith
at
.
In "La Abuela," The Last Man on Earth failed to bring the laughs and instead gave us a look at a woman who used to own the house the gang is currently occupying.
The Last Man on Earth Season 4 Episode 5 is the worst episode, so far, of an otherwise strong season.
The flashbacks to Abuela and her drug cartel seemed a bit unnecessary. In the past, the audience has not known the history of the places in which the gang is living. So, it was bizarre to have these flashbacks to the pre-virus days of this woman called Abuela.
I am not sure if any of these characters will come back. There is potential for the one man at the end who survived to still be alive, and I have my suspicions that the writers gave us this backstory so the audience knows who he is when he appears.
Abuela: That is the only thing in life we can predict. The only thing we truly know. Everybody’s story ends the same way: death.
Maybe, though, the writers just wanted to end on the cliffhanger about the bomb's mysterious location.
Whatever the reasoning, the flashbacks were boring and expendable. The audience only gets to spend 22 minutes a week with these characters, and half of this episode felt wasted on characters we know nothing about, many of whom died at the end anyway.
I enjoyed seeing more of Jasper in this episode. Even though he does not talk, he is such a sweet child. Watching him fly his toy around the pinata because he did not know what else to do both delighted me and broke my heart.
I thoroughly enjoy his interactions with the gang, but it often feels like the writers forget he is there.
I desperately want to know more about Jasper and his past. I would much rather see flashbacks about him than a random woman we do not know.
"La Abuela" was also not nearly as funny as episodes in the past have been. This series has proven that it does not need the laughs to keep it entertaining. The show has humanity in it, so even without the laughs, it is often successful.
With the flashbacks in this episode, though, it needed funnier moments to keep the audience entertained.
Tandy and Carol's babyproofing storyline was clearly the one that was supposed to make the audience laugh. There were a few moments, such as Carol's introduction of the disease SIFILISS, that caused me to giggle.
Carol: You don't want our baby getting SIFILISS.
Tandy: Syphilis?
Carol: You know, Sudden Infant Falling Into Large Indoor Spaces Syndrome.
Overall, though, I mostly found the whole gag annoying.
The storyline almost paid off in the end when Carol admitted why she was so worried about babyproofing. It was a cute and satisfying moment between the couple, but it did not erase how tiresome I found the repeated babyproofing to be.
Even when I do not like the episode as a whole, though, I still find comfort in this weird gang of misfits. The Last Man on Earth has a lot of heart, and I find myself drawn to these characters because of that.
The coupling of Todd and Melissa remains my favorite relationship of the series.
Melissa is clearly feeling guilty for Todd's recent medical issues, which is why she is being so overprotective of him now. However, her fussing over his health does not just stem from the guilt she is feeling.
I am sorry that I’m trying to help you, but finding you in that grocery store was the worst moment of my life, and I am so scared to lose you. But if you don’t care then fine. Take off your helmet. Eat all the junk food you want. But I am not going to sit here and watch you kill yourself.
Melissa
As I have said before, they seem to have a lot of genuine love for one another. They bonded quickly in this viral apocalypse, and if she loses him, she will lose her best friend and partner.
Their relationship is always sweet to watch, even when they are fighting like they were in "La Abuela." Their disagreements seem authentic and relatable, but even during a fight, their relationship is healthy and honest.
I am curious about Erica and Gail's relationship.
The two clearly have some sort of romantic relationship. The audience has seen them kiss now a few times, but their courtship has never been commented on or mentioned.
Part of me loves that they never discuss it. The two women seemingly got together and it never became a "thing." It is odd, however, that other than a kiss here and there, they do not really act like a couple.
Just as I suspected. Looks like we got an adrenaline junkie baby on our hands.
Gail
Both women have had relationships with men on the show, and with no explanation for how their relationship started, I feel a little confused.
Do the others know that they are a couple? Are they actually a couple or are they just stand-ins for one another when they are feeling lonely?
I am certainly intrigued by their relationship, and I enjoy watching Mary Steenburgen and Cleopatra Coleman together. I just want to know more!
"La Abuela" was the weakest episode of the season, but I simply find these people, and this show, irresistible.
What did you think of "La Abuela?" Don't forget that you can watch The Last Man on Earth online! Share your thoughts on this episode with us in the comments!
Kaitlynn Smith was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in May of 2018.
