Ep 3. Rollin'

Maura and Sarah team up to help Ali set up her graduate thesis project, a Rolling Stones-themed roller derby. Ali is enthused but unsure of her abilities to carry off the project. Sarah helps her with the financial aspect while Maura helps in getting an appropriate venue. Maura deals with a family friend named Betty, who is dying of cancer and is trying to pass on her house to the children. She is also dealing with internal gender issues and so seeks comfort from Ali, telling her of her transitioning to a woman. Josh and Shelly go to visit a friend of theirs who’s been hailed as a genius in the music world as they try to convince him to produce an album for Josh. The friend dismisses Josh’s suggestions for the tracks and instead offers a recording deal for him to be televised. They also spend time discussing Josh’s father, who was a famous musician. Meanwhile, back at home, the family prepares for the funeral of Bryna, their cousin. They are later visited by Raquel, the Rabbi who’s officiating the funeral. Sarah is immediately attracted to her. In the end, Maura invites Sarah to the trans-affirmative retreat that she’s going to, but Sarah declines, citing that she is too busy.

Rollin’ is a transitional episode compared to the two preceding episodes, which have been successful in introducing and explaining the complexities of each character to the viewer. The slow pace of the episode makes it possible to delve deeper into the main characters’ lives and respond adequately to the teasers in previous episodes.

Ali’s determination to incorporate her own version of the Rolling Stones within her roller derby, provides an opportunity to see her creative and innovative side. Her inability to excel academically portrays her as a perpetually adolescent figure, who is fanciful and unsure. Nevertheless, Sarah’s assistance underscores the fascination of siblings working together to accomplish something without their father’s input.

Betty’s impending demise reiterates the theme of mortality and the unifying factor that comes with it. Although Betty’s impending death was not surprising, it sets the tone for the remainder of the episode, and its effects will most likely spill over into the following episodes.

Josh and Shelly’s meeting with their genius friend and his music suggestions for Josh’s tracks creates yet another avenue for Josh to rebel against his parents’ influence. It reinforces a tumultuous relationship between him and his father and serves as the catalyst for future episodes, which will exhibit the culmination of his acting out.

Raquel adds an exciting twist to the plot. Being an Orthodox Jew and a Rabbi contributes to the diverse representation of the population in the show. Sarah’s attraction to her makes sense as it highlights Sarah’s ambiguous sexuality. It also soothes and distracts her from her sibling issues momentarily.

The slower pace of the episode creates an opportunity to study the characters in more detail. Maura’s struggling with gender issues, Josh’s rebellious personality in addition to his father issues, and Sarah’s love life are slowly unfolding. Ali’s immaturity and lack of clarity about her place in the world give us empathize with her and root for her.

Finally, the amalgamation of the symbolism of The Rolling Stones and mortality is unique and provides a fitting name for the episode. The use of the song ‘Wild Horses’ in the closing underscores the mood in the episode. It is a nod to the 30s-60s version of the Rolling Stones and a symbol of trying to remain wild as life changes.

Overall, Rollin’ is an appropriate episode that successfully sets up future episodes by providing more in-depth information and details about our favorite characters. It is full of unique symbolism that draws us in and makes us see the characters as people with actual lives rather than mere actors. The family relations, religious and gender issues, and morality are all major themes within the episode.