An unremarkable ending to an otherwise remarkable show
Well, that’s a wrap as they say.
The characters of “Younger,” the TV Land phenom now on Paramount+, took their last walks around Manhattan on Thursday. The show had an extremely loyal following — it was a can’t miss for six seasons — but the disappointment of the final season is hard to express, and on so many levels.
The first, and most glaring, is the fact that they couldn’t work around the schedules of Miriam Shor (Diana), who added bad-assery and great comedic timing, and Charles Michael Davis (Zane), a fiery adversary and intense romantic interest for Kelsey (Hillary Duff) and the only person of color on the show. The absence of both felt a little like the steel beam that crushed Thad in the season two finale.
I know there were issues because of the pandemic, but almost every other television show that resumed filming last year managed to have all their cast members there. Don’t film the final season until everyone could be there. It would have been so much better if they had.
There are many questions that need answers.
Where the hell was Nico Tortorella (Josh) all season? And in the final episode? He didn’t even appear until there were about 9 minutes left. Unacceptable.
What happened to Liza’s character? Why did she regress to being scared, unconfident, and pining after Charles all season? Her entire journey from the beginning was about becoming a strong, independent, and more confident woman after divorcing a cheating husband and trying to rebuild her life.
And when did Charles become such a dick? He just decides their relationship is over because Liza doesn’t want to get married? No discussion whatsoever, she doesn’t even get a say. And the fact that Charles even entertained the idea of dating Quinn after the things she’d done was also totally out of character. It would have made more sense if he decided to give his ex-wife another chance.
Now, I’ve been #TeamJosh from the beginning, but I always liked Charles — I mean Peter Hermann is so, well yummy — I just didn’t like him for Liza. But I literally despised him this season. The character of Charles deserved better than what the writers gave him, so did Liza, and so did Peter Hermann and Sutton Foster.
But everyone had to know that Charles and Liza weren’t endgame, didn’t they? And the reason why Liza should end up with Josh?
It’s not because he’s “younger,” it’s not because he’s fun-loving and free-spirited, and it’s not because he’s hot AF. It’s because he loves Liza unconditionally, unlike Charles.
Let’s unpack: Josh drove her to her book club and waited for her in case she drank too much wine so she wouldn’t have to take a cab home drunk. After the initial shock and feelings of betrayal wore off about her age revelation, he still wanted to be with her. His drug-induced hallucination (thanks to Lauren) in season five was all about a life with Liza. And knowing Josh, if she had told him she didn’t want to get married again, he might have been a little hurt at first, but he would never have said, “it’s over.”
So, while the finale episode was just as disappointing as the entirety of the seventh season, I’ll still take it. Because in that final minute, where Liza and Josh come together at the bar where they first met, and he says “I’ve been here, by your side… all along,” I just know they’re going to live out his drug-induced vision of them together where they’re happy, playing with baby Gemma and in love. As it should be.
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