Ep 5. The Girl Next Door

Kirstie season 1 episode 5, titled "The Girl Next Door," follows Kirstie (played by Kirstie Alley) as she faces the dilemma of wanting to connect with her neighbor's daughter and also being hesitant to do so.

After bonding over a shared love for musicals, Kirstie is enthusiastic about getting to know the 16-year-old girl better. However, she soon learns that the girl, Ellie (played by Britt Robertson), is struggling with self-harm and addiction.

Kirstie tries to reach out to Ellie and offer her support, but Ellie's mother (played by Natasha Bure) is hesitant to let Kirstie be involved in her daughter's life. The two women have a heated argument, with Kirstie insisting that she just wants to help and Ellie's mother accusing Kirstie of only being interested in her daughter for her own benefit.

Throughout the episode, Kirstie grapples with how best to support Ellie while also respecting her mother's wishes. She enlists the help of her assistant and friend, Thelma (played by Rhea Perlman), to try and navigate the situation.

As Kirstie continues to try and find a way to help Ellie, she begins to open up about her own struggles with addiction and the difficulties she faced in getting sober. She also shares with Ellie some of the things that have helped her in her own journey towards recovery.

The episode ends with Kirstie and Ellie having a heart-to-heart conversation, with Kirstie offering her support and encouragement. While the situation is far from resolved, Kirstie's willingness to be there for Ellie and her honesty about her own struggles seem to strike a chord with the young girl.

Overall, "The Girl Next Door" is a poignant exploration of addiction and the difficulties of trying to help someone who may not want help. It's a reminder of the power of vulnerability and connection, and how sometimes the best thing we can do for others is simply to be there for them.