While Million Things Fanatics eagerly await the show’s return, it’s time to review the first half of the season.
A Million Little Things is one of the strongest new series of the Fall with its relatable characters, talented cast, and gripping storytelling.
It has been an emotional, shocking, intense, and addictive first half of the season. The show has a knack for making viewers feel every emotion possible, including the less than stellar ones.
Related: 27 Shows That Will Warm Your Cold, Dead Heart
Our heads are spinning with shocking revelations, theories, and so many questions. For one, who the heck is Barbara Morgan?!
Join us below as we revisit the first half of the season, and hit the comments with your thoughts.
A Million Little Things returns on an all-new night and at an all-new time, January. 17 at 9/8c on ABC.
If you need to catch up, you can watch A Million Little Things online here via TV Fanatic.
Feel free to catch up on our A Million Little Things Reviews and A Million Little Things Round Tables too.
Best Character – Gary
Jon was the glue that kept the friends together, but Gary is the heart. He’s the best developed of the series. Gary is flawed and has many issues, but he’s also relatable, funny, and there is something touching about his devotion to his friends and his desperation when it comes to keeping everyone together. He’s the most reliable when it counts, but he’s a bit disastrous in other areas of his life, and he particularly stands out as a male breast cancer survivor whose sardonic humor belies his constant state of fear. Roday is impressive in a dramatic role and is worthy of award recognition too.
Best Friendship – Rome and Maggie
It’s interesting that in many ways, Rome is closer to Maggie than the guys he’s been friends with for years. He confides in her about things he struggles to share with the others. They danced on the line of friendship and doctor/patient, but their friendship won out when Maggie was able to confide in him about things she wasn’t able to tell anyone else too. They have the most balanced friendship on the series, and Miller and Malco have great chemistry with one another, so their scenes together always stand out.
Most Improved – Katherine
Ironically, despite the shocking revelation at the end of the pilot concerning her husband and her friend, Katherine made the worst first impression. Throughout the first half of the season, the series delved deeper into her character and has shown that behind the stoic workaholic mom, is a vulnerable, level-headed, warm woman. She worked hard to support her family, but all she wants is to be there for her son. With half the screentime, Katherine evolved into one of the most endearing and admirable characters with the best growth and development.
Most Emotional Arc – Maggie’s Cancer Fight
The first half of the season focused a lot on Maggie’s unfortunate prognosis and Gary’s refusal to accept her decision to forego chemotherapy. What made their situation interesting was Maggie had a right to decide for herself, but while Gary wasn’t respecting her agency, it also came from a place of personal knowledge, so he didn’t come across as a total dick but more so a sympathetic one. We all wanted him to win this argument, too.
Most Exciting Revelation – Jon’s Massive Debt and Secret Life
It’s not shocking that Jon is far from the perfect guy that he was painted as being, but it’s exciting that he had a whole other life that the others weren’t privy to, including a secret apartment and an unknown name listed on his secret insurance policy. It’s the juiciest part of the series. The mysterious and elusive Jon with his shady business dealings will have you on the edge of your seat. It was jaw-dropping to learn Jon amassed an insane amount of debt and that his money woes may have a role in his death.
Underused and Underrated – Rome and His Depression Arc
Malco is one of the best actors on the series. At the heart of the series — what makes it valuable and important is the real, authentic exploration of mental health and mental illness. It’s what appealed to many viewers from the beginning. Through Rome, the series deftly tackles not only depression but depression in men, specifically black men and the effects on marriage, relationships, and the troubling stigma associated with it. It’s one of the most compelling arcs, but at times it’s sidelined in favor of cancer storylines, relationship woes, infidelity, and mysteries, and Rome despite being part of the trio of friends remaining, seems like the side character within the group.
Worst Character – Delilah
At best “poor Delilah” is annoying and at worse dull. She is blase and aloof to everything including her kids. Grief looks different on everyone, but she barely came across as if she grieved Jon. It’s unfortunate that many of the plots rest on her being Jon’s widow because otherwise, she’s not a fascinating character. She’s selfish, inconsiderate, and not apologetic about her actions and their effects. Despite everything she has endured, she’s still not sympathetic, which makes her constant helplessness and victimhood bothersome. She’s always coddled, even when it doesn’t call for it, and no one holds her accountable for her actions while Eddie shoulders most of the blame.
Best Dynamic – Gary and Danny
We cannot get enough of Danny and Uncle Gary scenes. They always make you laugh or cry. In some ways, Gary’s best most genuine friendship on the series is with Danny. It’s beautiful that Danny was able to confide in Gary about his attraction to another boy, and even more so that Gary could reassure Danny that his father would’ve loved him no matter what. There is never enough of their dynamic.
Most Disappointing Revelation – Jon & Ashley’s (Possible) Affair
If Jon and Ashley did have an affair, it would be disappointing and underwhelming. There is already one infidelity plot that isn’t working for most viewers; no one needs two. If the intentions are to make Delilah and Eddie more likable and endearing and their infidelity tolerable or justifiable, then this isn’t the way to do it. It’s also too obvious and cliche. If it’s a red herring, then it’s an unoriginal one.
Storyline We Can Do Without – Eddie & Delilah’s Romance
Apologies to those who enjoy this ‘ship, but there is very little the series can do to make this pairing work. It’s difficult to buy into their love or root for them. Most of the time it feels one-sided; it’s absurd that these two expected to thrive as a couple despite how they came together and the effects on all of their loved ones, and it’s infuriating and unrealistic how quickly everyone got over it. Their chemistry is lacking, it feels like this coupling is forced on us no matter how offputting it is, and it takes away from everything great about the series. They are far more likable apart than together.
Favorite Couple – Gary & Maggie
Gary and Maggie’s relationship started at the beginning of the series, so we have been able to follow their journey for the entire first half, and what a journey it has been. It happened fast, but they fell for one another. There is something irresistible about following these two emotionally damaged people as they realize their feelings for one another while overcoming some serious, life and death ordeals.
Unnecessary Plot Twist – Delilah’s Pregnancy
As if the infidelity, Jon possibly knowing about it, the final destruction of Eddie’s marriage and family, and the tense fallout among the friends wasn’t messy enough, a pregnancy was thrown in! Also, the baby is Eddie’s but somehow Delilah, despite having just been discovered to have misled her friends before, has convinced everyone that the baby is Jon’s. The show veered too close to the soap-operatic with this development, especially with the foolish attempt at keeping it under wraps, Eddie taking her to appointments, a near abortion, and a miscarriage scare.
Character We Love to Hate – Ashley
It’s difficult to form any strong feelings other than frustration and annoyance with Ashley. She’s the one keeping the most secrets right now, and none of her actions make any sense. She’s sneaky, manipulative, and a liar. We’re supposed to believe she has her reasons and good intentions, but she makes it difficult to give her the benefit of the doubt. Everything she does, even in her moments of apparent kindness and grief come across calculated.
Characters Who Need More Screentime – The Dixon Children
As adorable as precious little Theo is, we see more of him than we do the Dixon children despite them losing their father. The loss of a parent at such a young age has serious effects, and it would be nice to see more of the kids dealing with their grief. Also, it would be nice to see them together with Delilah. They each have stronger one-on-one scenes with Eddie or Gary, or they’re most prevalent during large group scenes. Sophie is the most overt and vocal about her grief, but they have a unique perspective that could use more airtime.
Storyline We Need to See More – Jon, Ashley, and Barbara Morgan Mystery
It’s one of the biggest mysteries of the show, so they can’t give us everything; however, they can do better with how they give us little tidbits along the way. For the sake of Ashley, the show would benefit from showing more than just her sneaking about being shady. There are whole episodes without seeing her or any hint of what she’s doing, and when they do show her, it’s too vague and cryptic to be enticing. It’s one of the most intriguing aspects with the least gratifying payout.
Characters Who Need Stronger Development and Arcs- Delilah & Regina
Delilah gets a lot of screentime but no actual character development. Regina has less screentime and no real character development outside of being a supporting character to her husband and Delilah. Oddly enough, we know more about the newest female addition to the group of friends, Maggie, than we do about either of the original women. Delilah could use more development if there will ever be any success at making her more sympathetic and endearing, and Regina could use more development because we know little about her, period.
Best Quote – Depression Metaphor
The pilot kicked things off with a powerful quote from Maggie that described/ explained depression and what it feels like beautifully. It’s still one of the most poignant quotes of the series thus far.
Overall Grade: A-
A Million Little Things is one of the breakout hits of the Fall with a strong cast, great writing, and addictive storylines. It perfectly incorporates humor and light-hearted fun so the series isn’t dark, melancholic, or depressing. It captures flawed people and real life well, although at times it tips into shameless soap opera territory and gets lost in the everyday minutia of life and triviality at the expense of focusing on or progressing some of its more intriguing plots. It’s a beautiful series, and the first half of the season was solid. The remainder of the season should be promising.
