![]() It’s the show in microcosm: sparkling and lively with the occasional hint of a sharpened edge. Them meeting in the middle out on the pond comes against that backdrop of mutual understanding.Īmong the off-camera contributions making this story feel more lived-in with each passing season, it helps that Segal turns in another season’s worth of one of the most effervescent scores anywhere on TV. Matafeo and Patel are two incredibly charming screen presences, but “Starstruck” doesn’t let the fact that their characters have sweet, playful banter paper over the fact that there are some issues of trust and jealousy lingering underneath. Relationships can end just as easily for loving someone too much as too little. When Jessie asks Tom, “Why did we break up?” one of the tricks of “Starstruck” is that this show understands that there doesn’t always need to be a reason, or at least a mutually-agreed upon one. Much like Tom is trying to meet Jessie on her preferred terms, you buy that he’s picked up some of her personality traits by being around her.Īnd how best to show that meeting point than having Tom join her in thigh-deep pond water? However on-the-nose that metaphor might be, it’s an apt one considering all the ways that things have to go right before you feel comfortable really sharing a life with someone. He’s adding in more of Jessie’s mix of insecurity and sweetness, smiling through the uneasiness in the same way that Jessie is navigating a new social circle. Watching the scenes at the film shoot when Tom is looking for a reprieve from the stress of the day, you can see what Patel has layered on season over season. That comes through in this season’s approach to Tom, which includes him as more of a co-equal partner rather than the object of the protagonist’s affection. It gives “Starstruck” space to see each of them as individuals rather than purely a cute pairing. Season 2 avoided being a retread of its equally delightful first season by avoiding the need to keep Jessie and Tom together, either in location or relationship status. ![]() Matafeo told IndieWire, “I remember we were writing that whole speech and felt like, ‘Oh my God, this is quite cheesy and heavy,’ and then in the moment actually it wasn’t…She was saying what she means finally, straight up.” For both the people crafting the story - Nic Sampson joined Alice Snedden and Matafeo as Season 2 writers - and Jessie, the potential for rough patches don’t go away, but this ensures that any future episodes have fresh challenges to consider. Which makes the fact that Jessie helps to manufacture this moment oddly natural. The fountain’s erupting behind them, but they know now that those water droplets could turn into the rain on their parade at any moment. If Season 1 was still in a kind of honeymoon phase, there have been enough puncture holes in their romantic bubble since. It may not have that lingering shot of the two of them grappling with reality setting in, but Season 2’s ending might be even more in line with “The Graduate” this time around. ![]() The Future of 'Max' Looks Pretty Good Without 'HBO'Ģ023 Emmy Awards: Television Academy Has Set Calendar for 75th Primetime EmmysĢ023 Emmys Predictions: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie Why Max Bosses Dropped 'HBO' from Rebranded Streamer's Name ![]() Even though this newest season finishes with a more traditional romantic comedy spectacle - the fountain going off behind them might as well be fireworks - there’s still something honest about both the execution and the path there. As a season-capping moment, it’s an interesting counterpoint to the slow “will they-won’t they” beat that brought the first season to a close.
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