Ep 2. Conscious Unthroupling

The Politician is an American comedy-drama television series created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan. The show premiered on Netflix on September 27, 2019, and is known for its satirical take on politics and the power dynamics within high school student council elections. The series stars Ben Platt as Payton Hobart, a wealthy high school student vying to become student body president and eventually the President of the United States.

Episode 2 of season 2, titled "Conscious Unthroupling," follows Payton as he deals with the aftermath of his break-up with Alice, his campaign manager and former girlfriend. While Payton is still in love with Alice, she has moved on and started dating Standish, another member of Payton's political team. The episode deals with the emotional complexities of breakups and explores how Payton navigates his feelings while trying to run a successful campaign.

Throughout the episode, there is a sense of tension between Payton and Alice, who are forced to work together despite their personal history. Meanwhile, Payton's campaign team is dealing with their own struggles, including infighting and strategic disagreements. Amidst all of this, Payton begins to question his own values and priorities as he grapples with the challenge of running an ethical and honest campaign.

One of the key themes of the episode is the power of forgiveness and the importance of moving on. While Alice and Payton are both hurt and grappling with the end of their relationship, they ultimately find a way to forgive each other and move forward. This theme is also reflected in several other subplots throughout the episode, as various characters come to terms with their own mistakes and the need to let go of grudges and resentment.

Overall, "Conscious Unthroupling" is a character-driven episode that focuses on the complexities of relationships and the challenges of running a political campaign. While there are plenty of comedic moments, the show also delves deeply into themes of love, forgiveness, and personal growth. With strong performances from the cast and sharp writing from the show's creators, this episode is a standout in an already impressive series.