Ep 15. About a Trunk

About a Trunk continues the situational comedy-drama series About A Boy. The show revolves around a complex bond of friendship between a charismatic, unemployed musician Will Freeman, his quirky neighbor Fiona Bowa and her 11-year-old son Marcus.

In the episode About a Trunk, Marcus and Will help Fiona move her belongings out of her apartment in preparation for a new amateur production of Othello, where Fiona is playing the lead as Desdemona. Will's charm and Marcus's innocence come to the forefront as they help Fiona get organized and move into her new place.

The plot of the episode About a Trunk revolves around the theme of change, and it is marked by several events that emerge as the characters are moving Fiona's belongings from her apartment. There is also a subplot that lightens the tone of the show, featuring Will's attempts to get in shape using a new exercise program that he has discovered.

The show has a distinctive, playful tone, and humor regularly punctuates the interactions between the characters. Along with the show's witty writing and gentle sense of humor, it has an excellent roster of performers, who consistently deliver entertaining performances. In About a Trunk, the comedy comes from Will's antics, Marcus’s ingenuity and peculiarities, and Fiona's oddities, combined with some amusing situations and unusual dialogue.

About a Trunk opens with Will attempting to help Fiona with her move, but his well-meaning yet misguided ideas end up coming across as patronizing and foolish. At one point, Will seems to suggest that anybody who moves more than a few boxes is being overzealous. In his mind, the task at hand is not as complicated as it seems, but it's easy to see that he is in over his head.

Marcus's involvement in the move soon turns out to be a positive and creative idea-- his ingenuity brings fresh insights and clever thoughts that nobody else would have considered. As the three work on the move together, their relationships develop, showing the strengths and weaknesses of each. Fiona's and Will's vulnerabilities emerge, stemming from their individual struggles, which only further cements the connection between them.

About a Trunk gives us a fresh way of looking at characters we have grown to love, and by the end of the episode, we are left with a more nuanced understanding of each one. It is essential that the audience sees Fiona, Marcus, and Will as individuals with their strengths, weaknesses, and complexities. The empathy evoked for the characters is what drives the emotional credit of the show.

Despite all the bumps and challenges along the way, they are finally able to complete the move and Fiona can now settle into her new apartment. However, the episode's final scene suggests that their friendship is not yet over as they all gather together to watch Fiona's performance in the amateur production of Othello.

About a Trunk is a feel-good episode that affirms the value of building strong friendships, even in challenging times of change. The show's deft blend of comedy, drama, and humanity make it an entertaining and enjoyable way to spend a half-hour. There is something relatable and touching in every episode of this show, and About a Trunk is no exception. This episode challenges the audience to consider the relationships and friendships that we take for granted, and reminds us that they are invaluable when we face the complexities of life.