Ep 5. Dating Toledoans

When the show A.P. Bio first premiered on NBC in February of 2018, viewers were introduced to a disgraced Harvard philosophy professor named Jack Griffin (played by Glenn Howerton). After losing his dream job, Jack was forced to move back to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, and take a job teaching Advanced Placement Biology at the local high school. Though he had no interest in actually teaching his students, Jack found he had a knack for manipulating them to do his bidding -- whether that was assisting him in his scheme to win back his old job or helping him sabotage a fellow teacher's personal life.

In season 1, episode 5 of A.P. Bio, entitled "Dating Toledoans," Jack once again finds himself in need of some assistance -- this time, in the form of a fake girlfriend. When his estranged mother unexpectedly comes to visit, Jack is dismayed to learn she is under the impression he's in a serious, committed relationship. Rather than admit the truth, Jack decides to invent a fictitious girlfriend in order to keep his mother from prying too deeply into his personal life. But when he realizes he's going to have to "prove" his relationship by introducing his mother to this fake girlfriend, Jack turns to his students for help.

Specifically, Jack enlists his three most reliable pawns -- the academically gifted trio of Victor (Jacob Houston), Marcus (Nick Peine), and Heather (Allisyn Ashley Arm) -- to take on the roles of his girlfriend and her overbearing parents. Though the students are initially reluctant to participate in Jack's latest scheme, they ultimately agree to help him in exchange for his assistance with their own problems. Meanwhile, Jack's assistant (and secret crush) Lynette (Jean Villepique) finds herself being courted by Toledo's charming new snack cart owner, Drew (guest star Charlie McCrackin). But when Lynette agrees to go on a date with Drew, she begins to worry she's made a mistake.

As with much of A.P. Bio, "Dating Toledoans" leans heavily into dark humor and sharp satire. At its core, the episode is about the lengths people will go to in order to avoid being vulnerable or honest with themselves and others. Jack's desire to impress his mother, for example, stems from a deep-seated need for validation that he's been chasing for years. His willingness to involve his students in his lies suggests just how little he trusts anyone else to see him for who he really is. Similarly, Lynette's anxiety about dating Drew is grounded in her own insecurities about being desirable and lovable. The fact that both characters turn to such elaborate schemes to protect themselves speaks to the isolating nature of their respective neuroses.

Of course, A.P. Bio never stoops to sentimentality or moralizing -- in fact, it delights in subverting expectations and mocking traditional sitcom cliches. Jack's pretend girlfriend ends up being a stereotype-filled caricature of femininity that he's created to suit his own needs, while Lynette's date with Drew takes a hilariously dark turn when he reveals he's carrying a gun. Throughout it all, the show maintains a brisk pace and sharp wit, never allowing its characters or its viewers to dwell on the darker implications of their actions for too long.

Ultimately, "Dating Toledoans" is a fine example of what makes A.P. Bio such a beloved cult hit. Its bizarre, off-kilter humor, coupled with its sharp-eyed social commentary, make for a unique viewing experience that leaves its audience both laughing and squirming in equal measure. And while the show's jokes can be polarizing, what's undeniable is the talent of its cast and writers. Whether you're a fan of Glenn Howerton's dry delivery or just appreciate smart, offbeat comedy, A.P. Bio is worth checking out.