Ep 2. Pusillanimous

In episode 2 of Kidding season 1, titled "Pusillanimous," we delve deeper into the complicated world of beloved children's television host Jeff Pickles (played by Jim Carrey). We see him grappling with the aftermath of his son Phil's tragic death, as well as the strain it places on his relationships with his wife, Jill (Judy Greer), and their surviving twin son, Will.

The episode opens with Jeff visiting Phil's grave and struggling to come to terms with his grief. He speaks to the grave as if Phil is still there, telling him how much he misses him and wishing he had done things differently. This scene sets the somber and contemplative tone for the rest of the episode.

As Jeff tries to navigate his personal feelings, he is also grappling with the reality of his declining ratings on his show "Mr. Pickles' Puppet Time." His producer, Seb (Frank Langella), urges him to up the ante with more outrageous stunts and sketches, but Jeff feels like he's lost sight of the show's original mission to provide comfort and guidance to children.

Meanwhile, Jeff's sister-in-law, Deirdre (Catherine Keener), continues to struggle with her own feelings of loss and inadequacy. Her husband, Scott (Bernard White), is distant and uncommunicative, leaving her to feel isolated and misunderstood. She tries to pour her energy into her artwork, but it feels like a futile attempt at self-expression.

Throughout the episode, we see these characters grappling with their own insecurities and fears, even as the world around them seems to demand more and more from them. There are moments of levity, such as a hilarious scene where Jeff dons a cheesy magician costume for a skit on his show, but overall, the episode is a sobering reminder of the toll that grief and loss can take on even the most seemingly joyful and carefree personalities.

As the episode draws to a close, we see Jeff attempting to reach out to his wife and son, to offer them comfort and support. But it's clear that the road ahead will be a difficult and fraught one, full of uncertainty and pain. "Pusillanimous" is a poignant and thought-provoking installment that serves as a reminder that life is never simple, even for those who seem to have it all.