Ep 6. Eulogy

Eulogy, the sixth episode of Better Things season 2, centers around the unexpected death of a family member. Sam (Pamela Adlon) and her family travel back to her hometown for the funeral and to reconnect with old friends and relatives. Sam is forced to confront her conflicted feelings towards her deceased loved one, whom she admires but also resents for the way they treated her in the past.

The episode explores the different ways that people deal with grief, as Sam's family members cope with their loss in their own unique ways. Sam's sister, as usual, is quick to anger and deflects her emotions with humor and sarcasm. Sam's mother, on the other hand, is mentally fragile and barely holding it together, clinging to her faith as a source of comfort. Meanwhile, one of Sam's childhood friends, who is now a widow herself, offers a more subdued perspective on loss and the importance of finding meaning in everyday life.

In the midst of the mourning, Sam also grapples with her own sense of identity and the direction of her career. She reconnects with a former collaborator who invites her to contribute to a new project, but she struggles to reconcile her ambitions with her caregiving responsibilities. As always, Sam is pulled in multiple directions, trying to be there for her family and friends while also pursuing her own dreams.

Throughout the episode, Adlon showcases her incredible depth and range as an actress, switching effortlessly between humor, vulnerability, and heartbreak. She delivers a powerful monologue towards the end of the episode that is sure to leave viewers in tears. The writing and direction are equally strong, balancing moments of levity with raw emotional honesty.

Eulogy is a standout episode of Better Things, exploring themes of loss, family, and identity with nuance and sensitivity. It is a testament to the show's ability to tackle difficult topics with grace and humor, and showcases Adlon's talents as both a writer and performer.